microbial testing for lubricants

[Lewis Conquer]

The microbiological testing of oily materials is always problematical. 
It is necessary to disperse the material in some form of sterile liquid 
before carrying out a dilution count on suitable agar media. 
Unless of course you are looking for a very rapid answer, inwhich case 
you need some sort of rapid test system like the Bactometer.
I would suggest that as a diluent you try an inocuous surfactant such 
as Tween at up to 2%

If I can be of any further assistance please contact me.

Lewis conquer

In article <19970314025900.VAA10962 at ladder01.news.aol.com>, 
panjablion at aol.com says...
>
>we are currently trying to develop a method for testing silicone for
>microbial load.  if anyone has a developed procedure or idea, please
>e-mail us at panjablion at aol.com