The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial compound that stops visible bacterial growth overnight.MIC is the standard laboratory measure of antimicrobial potency, determined by serial twofold dilutions in broth or agar. Lower MIC values indicate greater potency. MIC alone does not predict clinical efficacy—it must be interpreted alongside pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax/MIC ratio, AUC/MIC ratio, time above MIC) that determine whether achievable tissue concentrations can sustain bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity in vivo.