Minimum inhibitory concentration is -: (A) The concentration of antibiotic which kills 99.9% of the bacteria, (B) Maximum concentration of an antibiotic which prevents visible growth of a bacterium, (C) Minimum concentration of an antibiotic which prevents visible growth of a bacterium, (D) None of the above
Answer is C. Ans. is 'c' i.e., Minimum concentration of an antibiotic which prevents visible growth of a bacterium o Potency of antimicrobial agents is often referred as MIC. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) o Lowest concentration of an antibiotic which prevents visible growth of a bacterium. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) o The concentration of an antibiotic which kills 99.9% of the bacteria. A small difference between MIC and MBC indicates that the antibiotic is primarily bactericidal, while a large difference indicates bacteriostatic action.