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Abstract

The present study is concerned with the effect of low pH on continuous citric acid fermentation by Aspergillus niger strain SK-17. Microbial cultivations were carried out in a stainless steel stirred bioreactor of 15 L total capacity. The bioconversion of glucose to citric acid at low pH was investigated on cellulose fabric. Sucrose solution (100 g/l) was made to flow through capillaries of a vertical fabric support and oxidized to citric acid at the interface. Conditions of temperature, humidity, airflow and glucose feed rate were optimised. The emerging broth contained a product concentration of 120-140 g/l of citric acid, which is higher than the expected [maximum of 109 g citric acid per 100 g sucrose] as a result of evaporative concentration during the downward flow.

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