Microbial Activity in Industrial Cutting Emulsions in the Tropical Environment

Abstract

Bacterial strains were isolated from in-use metal cutting fluids from 5 locations in Nigeria. They were identified as species of Bacillus, Proteus, Enterobacter, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Chromobacterium and Pseudomonas. Chromobacterium spp had the highest potential of utilizing the cutting fluid while Pseudomonas spp had the highest growth potential with n-dodecane. These isolates appeared to be the bacteria that pioneer the deterioration of metal cutting fluids in this environment.