PROTOCOL FOR DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL ATP NOW PART OF ASTM E2694

ASTM E2694, Method for Measurement of Adenosine Triphosphate in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids, was first approved in 2009. The 2016 revision of the method has just been published by ASTM (www.astm.org). This version includes a new Appendix X4 that provides a protocol for differentiating between bacterial and fungal contamination in metalworking fluids. I had first written about this protocol here in my 04 May 2015 blog. The original research on which the ASTM E2694 revision was based was published in 2014: Passman, F.J. and Küenzi, P., “A Differential Adenosine Triphosphate Test Method for Differentiating between Bacterial and Fungal Contamination in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids” International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.01.006 0964-8305.
Appendix X4 is meant to be used only on samples that have high cATP concentrations as determined by the basic E2694 test. I generally consider ≥1,000 pg/mL to be high cATP, but others might choose to be more conservative. The differential method guides microbicide selection. If the ATP-biomass is all from bacteria, then a tankside addition of bactericide is generally the appropriate treatment. If it is from fungi, then a fungicide will be needed. A broad-spectrum microbicide or compatible bactericide and fungicide are needed to control an infection that is due to a combination of bacteria and fungi. For more information, contact me at 609.716.0200 or fredp@biodeterioration-control.com.