They didn’t test whether Kleenol was sufficient to sterilize. They were showing that without access to any other nutrient/carbon source, the bacteria were able

They didn’t test whether Kleenol was sufficient to sterilize. They were showing that without access to any other nutrient/carbon source, the bacteria were able to degrade and metabolize a variety of cleaning agents, Kleenol among those tested. That is, they weren’t saying “hey, this bullet is ineffective against that tank.” They were saying, “deprived of oil, that tank started eating bullets.”