STIMULATION OF XANTHAN PRODUCTION BY XANTHOMONAS-CAMPESTRIS USING CITRIC-ACID

The biosynthesis of xanthan by Xanthomonas campestris was found to be affected by the addition of citric acid in fed batch mode. Under oxyge n-limiting conditions, the addition of up to 2.6 g citric acid per lit re improved cell viability as well as increasing xanthan yield by up t o 80%. Comparative xanthan formation profiles at different operating c onditions indicate that at higher aeration (when there was no oxygen l imitation), citric acid addition did not improve xanthan production.