Table 1 Comparison between agar-based versus liquid-based screens

Positive hits identified

1 out of 18 natural extracts screened

7 out of 18 natural extracts screened

Average time for media preparation

2-3 days

<30 minutes

Possibility of compound degradation

Addition of compound into the molten agar at high temperature may cause compound degradation

Does not involve high temperature. Thus, degradation of compound is not possible

Exposure to compound

Compound is restricted to the agar media, resulting in limited worm exposure to the compound

Worms are bathed in a homogenous solution of compound

Counting efficiency

Time-consuming to locate the worms on a larger surface area

Smaller surface area and clear distinguishable phenotype of the worms allows quick scoring

Possible agar color changes complicate worm scoring

Colorless M9 buffer eases the scoring of worms