Abstract: Fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricants made of or comprising a portion of renewable hydrocarbon raw materials, as well as biodegradable fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricants are known to support microbial growth. Highly toxicorganic biocides have been added to reduce microbial growth. The use of such biocides can now be avoided, by instead using a stable solution of boric acid in a solvent, the boric acid being completely dissolved or at least free from any particles larger than 100 nm in size, and adding this solution to the fuel, hydraulic fluid or lubricant to give a final concentration of boron in the range of 1-100 ppm, preferably 1-50 ppm in the product. While preventing microbial growth, the addition of boron also reduces corrosion, in particular microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC).