A potential method for the recognition of metalworking fluid spoilage organisms (Reprinted)

A test is described which may form the basis of a method to distinguish bet ween organisms which are able to degrade metalworking fluid emulsions and t hose which occur simply as contaminants in such fluids. Out of ninety two b acteria isolated from various industrial sources, including in-service emul sions, twenty were shown to produce clearing zones in an agar made opaque b y the addition of metalworking fluid. or eleven fungi tested, seven gave a positive clearing effect when tested in the same way.