FUNGAL PRODUCTION OF CITRIC-ACID

Citric acid is the principal organic acid found in citrus fruits. To m eet increasing demands it is produced from carbohydrate feedstock by f ermentation with the fungus Aspergillus niger and the yeasts of Candid a spp. Effect of various fermentation conditions and the biochemistry of citric acid formation by A. niger have been discussed. Commercially citric acid is produced by surface, submerged and solid state ferment ation techniques. Recovery of pure acid from fermentation broth is don e primarily by precipitation with lime and also by solvent extraction.