Combined phytoremediation of metal-working fluids with maize plants inoculated with different microorganisms and toxicity assessment of the phytoremediated waste

► Successful metal-working fluid (MWF) phytoremediation combining maize and microorganisms is proposed. ► Phytoremediation of MWF was achieved by rhizofiltration rather than by inoculated microorganisms. ► Toxicity tests confirmed effectiveness of phytoremediation. ► Photosynthetic parameters revealed a decrease in phytoremediated MWF toxicity. ► Cyanobacterial bioreporter revealed that some bacteria-plant phytoremediated MWF were less toxic than others.