Variable Y. pestis pgm- B. anthracis Sterne Cell state Log phase Log phase, vegetative cells Cell number in qPCR reaction 5 × 103 to 107 5 × 103 to 107 Inactivation Method 50% ethanol exposure for 30 minutes 3% H2O2exposure for 60 minutes PMA Concentration 25μM 10μM PMA Pretreatment Time 5 minutes 5 minutes Exposure to PMA-LiteTM 5 minutes 5 minutes Assay Buffer TE TE

Table 3: Summary of optimized conditions for each model system used in the study, compatible with 0.1 mg/mL concentration of white powders discussed in the te × t.