Figure 1.

An illustration depicting the initial screening criteria. A benchmark line was set at two fold the initial optical density at an absorbance of 595 nm (OD_595nm). Our operational definitions of inhibition by the antimicrobial compounds were as follows. ‘Mild or no inhibition’ was defined when the culture reached the benchmark line within 2 to 3 hrs. ‘Inhibitory’ was defined when the benchmark line was reached within 3 to 6 hrs and ‘highly inhibitory’ within 6 to 8 hrs. ‘No outgrowth’ was defined when no increase in OD_595nm was reached within 8 hrs. ‘No germination’ was demarcated when the OD_595nm did not lower the initial OD_595nm in time. Samples that did not show outgrowth after 8 hours were followed for maximally 48 hours.