A POTENTIAL METHOD FOR THE RECOGNITION OF METALWORKING FLUID SPOILAGE ORGANISMS

A test is described which may form the basis of a method 10 distinguish between organisms which are able to degrade metalworking fluid emulsions and those which occur simply as contaminants in such fluids. Out of ninety two bacteria isolated from various industrial sources, including in-service emulsions. twenty were shown to produce clearing zones in an agar made opaque by the addition of metalworking Iluid. Of eleven fungi tested, seven gave a positive clearing effect when tested in the same way.