Question

How is citric acid should be fermented

Answer 1

Citric acid is a commercially important product that has been obtained by submerged fermentation of glucose or sucrose by Aspergillus niger. This work was undertaken to determine the potential of food processing solid residues as a substrate for citric acid production by solid state fermentation using Aspergillus niger.Yields of citric acid varied considerably and were found to depend significantly on the strain of Aspergillus niger used and the following factors: the type of raw material fermented, the initial moisture content of the substrate, the amount of methyl alcohol present, and the fermentation time and temperature. Under favorable conditions, yields from more than 50 to nearly 90% were obtained on the basis of the amount of carbohydrate consumed. The results of this study indicate that food processing solid residues can serve as a low-cost substrate for citric acid production by solid state fermentation using Aspergillus niger.