Minimal inhibitory concentration or MIC is a crucial analytical parameter often used in the control of microbial growth by antimicrobial agents. The MIC is typically defined as the lowest or minimum antimicrobial concentration that inhibits visible microbial growth in artificial media after a fixed incubation time and is often expressed in micrograms per milliliter (μg/mL) or milligrams per liter (mg/L).

It is not the only metric used to look at the effects of antimicrobials on microorganisms. The inhibitory concentration associated with 50% effect (IC50) 2 and the minimal bactericidal concentration, the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial drug that is bactericidal, are also used in different scenarios.

This article looks at some of the different applications including its use in the study of antimicrobial agents.

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