Degradation of machine oil by nocardioform bacteria

Gas liquid chromatography (GLC) was used for the first time to screen for m achine oil-degrading microorganisms. Oil degradation was evaluated from the microorganism respiratory activity during the utilization of oil as the so le carbon and energy source. The results are consistent with those obtained by the conventional weighing method. Substrate specificity of the active s trains with respect to different machine oils was studied. Bacterial commun ities exhibited the highest activity, whereas a Rhadococcus erythropolis st rain was the most active among pure cultures. Various stages of bacterial i nteraction with oil drops were followed by means of fluorescent microscopy.