Citric acid production by solid state fermentation using sugarcane bagasse

A solid state fermentation (SSF) method was used to produce citric acid by Aspergillus niger DS 1 using sugarcane bagasse as a carrier and sucrose or molasses based medium as a moistening agent. Initially bagasse and wheat bran were compared as carrier. Bagasse was the most suitable carrier, as it did not show agglomeration after moistening with medium, resulting in better heat and mass transfer during fermentation and higher product yield. Different parameters such as moisture content, particle size, sugar level and methanol concentration of the medium were optimised and 75% moisture level, 31.8 g sugar/100 g dry solid, 4% (v/w) methanol and particles of the size between 1.2 and 1.6 mm were found to be optimal. Sucrose and clarified and non-clarified molasses medium were also tested as moistening agents for SSF and under optimised conditions, 20.2, 19.8 and 17.9 g citric acid /100 g of dry solid with yield of 69.6, 64.5 and 62.4% (based on sugar consumed) was obtained in sucrose, clarified and non-clarified molasses medium respectively, after 9 days of fermentation.     

Citric acid production in submerged and solid state culture of Aspergillus niger

In this work, the citric acid production in solid state culture was performed, evaluating the isolated effect and interactions of particle size and liquid phase employed, by means of the factorial design of first order. The results indicate that the particle size is the most determinant variable. An analysis comparing submerged and solid state in optimal conditions was performed. When solid state culture was used, the productivity of citric acid was doubled, reducing the fermentation time from 14 to 6 days, compared to the submerged culture, obtaining a maximum citric acid concentration of 21.24 g/l.List of Symbols B _s , B _v main effects - B _sv crossed effects - s cm particle size - S coded particle size - v ml liquid phase volume - V coded liquid phase volume     

Production of pectinases by Aspergillus niger in solid state fermentation at high initial glucose concentrations

Exopectinase (exo-p) and endopectinase (endo-p) production by Aspergillus niger CH4 in solid state culture was studied at initial glucose concentrations of 100, 250, 350 and 450 g/l. The highest activity of exo-p (35 U/g) was produced at 72 and 120 h in the medium containing 100 and 250 g glucose/l, respectively. The maximum endo-p activity (9 U/g) was produced at 72 h in the medium with 250 g glucose/l. The reduction in pectinase production at 350 and 450 g/l initial glucose concentration was due neither to repression of the synthesis of the enzyme nor to the glucose consumption rate of the strain but due to a drastic drop in pH of the medium.S. Solis-Pereyra, E. Favela-Torres, M. Gutiérrez-Rojas, G. Saucedo-Castañeda and G. Viniegra-González are with the Departamento de Biotecnologia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, A.P. 55-535, C.P. 09340, México D.F., México; S. Roussos is with the Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, ORSTOM, B.P. 5045, 34032, Montpellier Cedex, France, and P. Gunasekaran is with the Department of Microbial Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625-021, India.     

Utilisation of fruits waste for citric acid production by solid state fermentation

A solid state fermentation method was used to utilise pineapple, mixed fruit and maosmi waste as substrates for citric acid production using Aspergillus niger DS 1. Experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of methanol at different moisture levels. In the absence of methanol the maximum citric acid was obtained at 60% moisture level whereas in the presence of methanol the maximum citric acid was obtained at 70% moisture level. The stimulating effect of methanol was less at lower moisture level. The inhibitory effect of metal ions was also not observed and maximum citric acid yield of 51.4, 46.5 and 50% (based on sugar consumed) was obtained from pineapple, mixed fruit and maosmi residues, respectively.     

Relation between Citric Acid Production and Respiration Rate of Aspergillus niger in Solid‐State Fermentation

Among the organic acids produced industrially, citric acid is the most important in quantitative terms. Solid‐state fermentation (SSF) has been an alternative method for citric acid production using agro‐industrial residues such as cassava bagasse (CB). The use of CB as a substrate can avoid environmental problems caused by its disposal into the environment. This study was developed to verify the influence of the treated bagasse amount, and consequently, the influence of the gelatinization degree of CB starch on citric acid production by SSF in Erlenmeyer flasks, horizontal drums, and trays. The best results were obtained in a horizontal drum bioreactor using 100 % of treated CB. However, trays showed advantages and good perspectives for large‐scale citric acid production due to economic reasons such as energy costs. A kinetic study was also carried out in order to compare citric acid production in glass columns (laboratory scale) and horizontal drum bioreactors (semi‐pilot scale). This study was accomplished in order to follow the influence of aeration on citric acid accumulation. In addition, the production of CO₂ was evaluated as an indirect method of biomass estimation. Citric acid production was higher in glass columns (309.70 g/kg of dry CB) than in HD bioreactors (268.94 g/kg of dry CB). Finally, it was possible to show that citric acid production was favored by a limited biomass production, which occurred with low aeration rates. Biomass production is related to CO₂ production and as a result, a respirometry analysis could be used for biomass estimation.     

Citric and gluconic acid production from fig by Aspergillus niger using solid-state fermentation

The production of citric and gluconic acids from fig by Aspergillus niger ATCC 10577 in solid-state fermentation was investigated. The maximal citric and gluconic acids concentration (64 and 490 g/kg dry figs, respectively), citric acid yield (8%), and gluconic acid yield (63%) were obtained at a moisture level of 75%, initial pH 7.0, temperature 30°C, and fermentation time in 15 days. However, the highest biomass dry weight (40 g/kg wet substrate) and sugar utilization (90%) were obtained in cultures grown at 35°C. The addition of 6% (w/w) methanol into substrate increased the concentration of citric and gluconic acid from 64 and 490 to 96 and 685 g/kg dry fig, respectively. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 298–304. Received 15 April 2000/ Accepted in revised form 11 August 2000     

黑曲霉固态发酵生产单宁酶的条件优化

研究采用响应面法优化黑曲霉固态发酵生产单宁酶的培养条件。应用Plackett—Burman试验筛选出重要影响因子：五倍子粉含量、（NH4）2SO4浓度以及接种孢子量,最陡爬坡试验逼近最大响应区域。应用Box．Behnken响应面试验对重要影响因子进一步优化。得到最佳培养条件：每250mL三角瓶中装入1．0g五倍子粉、4．4g稻壳和0．5g麸皮、液固比（mL／g）2：1且营养盐溶液组成为（NH4）2s0421g/L、MgSO4·7H2O1g／L、NaCl1g／L,培养基pH自然,接种5．7×10^7个孢子后在30℃温度下培养4d。在此条件下,单宁酶产量从40U／g提高到114U／g,3次重复验证性试验平均值为115U／g,验证了模型的可靠性。     

Solid‐state fermentation for the production of debittering enzyme naringinase using Aspergillus niger MTCC 1344

Aspergillus niger produced high levels of naringinase using easily available, inexpensive industrial waste residues such as rice bran, wheat bran, sugar cane bagasse, citrus peel, and press mud in solid‐state fermentation (SSF). Among these, rice bran was found to be the best substrate. Naringinase production was highest after 96 h of incubation at 27°C and at a substrate‐to‐moisture ratio of 1:1 w/v. Supplementation of the medium with 10% naringin caused maximum induction. An inoculum age of 72 h and an inoculum level of 15% resulted in maximum production of naringinase. Enzyme production was stimulated by the addition of nutrients such as naringin and peptone. Thus, A. niger produced a very high level of naringinase within a short time in solid‐state fermentation using inexpensive agro‐residues, a level that is much higher than reported for any other microbes.     

Gluconic acid production by Aspergillus niger mutant ORS-4.410 in submerged and solid state surface fermentation

Aspergillus niger ORS-4.410, a mutant of Aspergillus niger ORS-4 was produced by repeated irradiation with UV rays. Treatments with chemical mutagnes also resulted into mutant strains. The mutants differed from the parent strain morphologically and in gluconic acid production. The relationship between UV treatment dosage, conidial survival and frequency of mutation showed the maximum frequency of positive mutants (25%) was obtained along with a conidial survival of 59% after second stage of UV irradiation. Comparison of gluconic acid production of the parent and mutant ORS-4.410 strain showed a significant increase in gluconic acid production that was 87% higher than the wild type strain. ORS-4.410 strain when transferred every 15 days and monitored for gluconic acid levels for a total period of ten months appeared stable. Mutant ORS-4.410 at 12% substrate concentration resulted into significantly higher i.e. 85-87 and 94-97% yields of gluconic acid under submerged and solid state surface conditions respectively. Further increase in substrate concentration appeared inhibitory. Maximum yield of gluconic acid was obtained after 6 days under submerged condition and decreased on further cultivation. Solid state surface culture condition on the other hand resulted into higher yield after 12 days of cultivation and similar levels of yields continued thereafter.     

Optimization of citric acid production by Aspergillus niger using two downgraded Algerian date varieties

In the present work, the GHARS and the MECH DEGLA downgraded date varieties were used in a fermentation medium in order to produce citric acid by the Aspergillus niger. The biochemical characteristics of the dates were investigated, along with the chemical and physical characteristics of the solutions of both samples. The analyzed parameters included the moisture and sugar content, the ash residual, the pH values, and the electrical conductivity. The effect of the following fermentation parameters was studied: initial pH, temperature, incubation period, and methanol. For the GHARS and MECH DEGLA date varieties respectively, the ash residual measured at 1.90% and 2.47%. For each date variety, the moisture and total sugars were measured at 11.59% and 85%, for the GHARS, and 12.82% and 80.47% for the MECH DEGLA. Citric acid production using either of the two varieties of dates showed a high yield in a short time.The obtained results showed that the highest production of citric acid by both medium of dates was achieved at the initial pH value of 3.0, temperature 30 °C, and an incubation period of 8 days. Also, the maximum amount of citric acid was produced when both mediums contained 4% of methanol. Both varieties of dates showed a good yield for the citric acid and can be used as a culture medium since they are economic and ensure good growth for the Aspergillus niger.     

Influence of the glycolytic rate on production of citric acid and oxalic acid by Aspergillus niger in solid state fermentation

A study was performed to understand the physiology and biochemical mechanism of citric acid accumulation during solid state fermentation of sweet potato using Aspergillus niger Yang No.2. A low citrate-producing mutant was isolated followed by a comparative study of the fermentation process and selected physiological and biochemical parameters. In contrast with the parent strain, the mutant strain displayed lower concentrations, yields and production rates of citric acid, accompanied by higher concentrations, yields and production rates of oxalic acid. In addition, the mutant utilized starch at a lower rate although higher concentrations of free glucose accumulated in the cultures. Biochemical analyses revealed lower rates of glucose uptake and hexokinase activity of the mutant strain in comparison with the parent strain. It is proposed that, in common with submerged fermentation, over-production of citric acid in solid state fermentation is related to an increased glucose flux through glycolysis. At low glucose fluxes, oxalic acid is accumulated.     

Citric acid production by Aspergillus niger in surface culture on inulin

Aspergillus niger produces citric acid during surface fermentation on inulin, a reserve carbohydrate of plant tubers. Citric acid yields can be improved by airflow over the surface of the fermentation but yields from inulin are 20–30% lower than from sucrose, the traditional commercial substrate.     

Effect of some metabolic inhibitors on citric acid production by Aspergillus niger

Stationary cultures of Aspergillus niger grown on a synthetic medium have been used to study the effect of some metabolic inhibitors on citric acid production. Addition of 0.05 to 1 mM sodium malonate or 0.01 to 0.1 mM potassium ferricyanide, iodoacetate, sodium azide, sodium arsenate or sodium fluoride stimulated citric acid production (3.6 to 45%), but not total titratable acids. Addition of higher concentrations (0.2 to 10 mM) of later inhibitors caused a marked inhibition of fungal growth and citric acid production. The implications of these preliminary findings are discussed.     

Citric acid production by Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142 from a treated ethanol fermentation co-product using solid-state fermentation

Aims:  To investigate the ability of the citric acid-producing strain Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142 to utilize the ethanol fermentation co-product corn distillers dried grains with solubles for citric acid production following various treatments.
Methods and Results:  The ability of A. niger ATCC 9142 to produce citric acid and biomass on the grains was examined using an enzyme assay and a gravimetric method, respectively. Fungal citric acid production after 240 h was higher on untreated grains than on autoclaved grains or acid-hydrolysed grains. Fungal biomass production was enhanced after autoclaving and acid-hydrolysis of the grains. Phosphate supplementation to the grains slightly stimulated citric acid production while methanol addition decreased its synthesis. Using the phosphate-supplemented grains, the optimal incubation temperature, initial moisture content of the grains and the length of fermentation time for ATCC 9142 citric acid production were determined to be 25°C, 82% and 240 h, respectively.
Conclusions:  A. niger ATCC 9142 synthesized citric acid on corn distillers dried grains with solubles. The phosphate-treated grains increased citric acid production by the strain.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The ethanol fermentation co-product corn distillers dried grains with solubles could be useful commercially as a substrate for A. niger citric acid production.     

Citric acid production by Aspergillus niger on wet corn distillers grains

AIMS: To determine which citric acid-producing strain of Aspergillus niger utilized wet corn distillers grains most effectively to produce citric acid. METHODS AND RESULTS: Citric acid and biomass production by the fungal strains were analysed on the untreated grains or autoclaved grains using an enzyme assay and a gravimetric method respectively. Fungal citric acid production on the grains was found to occur on the untreated or autoclaved grains. The highest citric acid level on the grains was produced by A. niger ATCC 9142. The autoclaved grains supported less citric acid production by the majority of strains screened. Biomass production by the fungal strains on the untreated or autoclaved grains was quite similar. The highest citric acid yields for A. niger ATCC 9142, ATCC 10577, ATCC 11414, ATCC 12846 and ATCC 26550 were found on the untreated grains. Treatment of the grains had little effect on citric acid yields based on reducing sugars consumed by A. niger ATCC 9029 and ATCC 201122. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible for citric acid-producing strains of A. niger to excrete citric acid on wet corn distillers grains whether the grains are treated or untreated. The most effective citric acid-producing strain of A. niger was ATCC 9142. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study shows that the ethanol processing co-product wet corn distillers grains could be utilized as a substrate for the commercial production of citric acid by A. niger without treatment of the grains.     

Xylanase production in solid state fermentation by Aspergillus niger mutant using statistical experimental designs

The initial moisture content, cultivation time, inoculum size and concentration of basal medium were optimized in solid state fermentation (SSF) for the production of xylanase by an Aspergillus niger mutant using statistical experimental designs. The cultivation time and concentration of basal medium were the most important factors affecting xylanase activity. An inoculum size of 5 x 10(5) spores/g, initial moisture content of 65%, cultivation time of 5 days and 10 times concentration of basal medium containing 50 times concentration of corn steep liquor were optimum for xylanase production in SSF. Under the optimized conditions, the activity and productivity of xylanase obtained after 5 days of fermentation were 5,071 IU/g of rice straw and 14,790 IU l(-1) h(-1), respectively. The xylanase activity predicted by a polynomial model was 5,484 IU/g of rice straw.     

Sequential optimization and large scale production of lipase using tri-substrate mixture from Aspergillus niger MTCC 872 by solid state fermentation

Tri-substrate mixture of Prosopis juliflora (PJ), red gram husk (RGH) and cotton seed cake (CSC) has been studied for the production of lipase (E.C. 3.1.1.3) using Aspergillus niger MTCC 872 in solid state fermentation. Simplex centroid mixture design (SCMD) was implemented to optimize the tri-substrate mixture composition consisting of PJ, RGH and CSC. Mixture taken in the ratio of 6.66:1.66:1.66 for PJ:RGH:CSC has shown highest lipase activity of 212.20 ± 6.36 U/gds at 30 °C, 7 pH and 70 % initial moisture content (v/w). Sequential optimization of physical parameters was done using the central composite face-centered design (CCFD). The optimum mixture composition has shown the highest lipase activity of 269.87 ± 8.09 U/gds at 35 °C, 7 pH and 70 % initial moisture content (v/w). ANOVA analysis for SCMD and CCFD confirms the model’s significance with R² values of 0.9989 and 0.968. A 1.27 fold increased lipase activity was obtained after physical parameters optimization. Large scale production using 1 kg substrate was carried out in tray bioreactor with different bed heights and the highest lipase activity of 208.79 ± 6.26 U/gds was obtained. This study signifies the enhancement of lipase production using substrate PJ for lipase production along with the other agricultural residues.     

An Experimental Study on Citric Acid Production by Aspergillus niger Using Gelidiella acerosa as a Substrate

Citric acid (CA) is the most important commercial product which is produced by using various sugar substrates in the terrestrial environment. The present study made an attempt to produce citric acid by the fungal strain Aspergillus niger from red seaweed Gelidiella acerosa is the best alternative to sugar substrate in the marine environment. In this study three types of production media were prepared including control (sucrose) by following standard fermentation conditions. The acid production was indicated by the reduction of pH levels. The control medium gave the highest yield of 80 g/l at pH 1.5 and the medium containing crude seaweed powder and other compositions gave the yield of 30 g/l at pH 3.5 whereas the medium containing crude seaweed and 10% sucrose gave the yield of 50 g/l at pH 3.0. When calculating the benefit cost ratio, crude seaweed powder and 10% sucrose yielded 50 g of citric acid at the lower cost of Rs. 35, whereas the other two media gave the yield of 80 and 30 g respectively with the cost of Rs. 77 and 28. In economic point of view, the medium containing seaweed and 10% sucrose showed more benefit with lower cost.     

Production of high activity thermostable phytase from thermotolerant Aspergillus niger in solid state fermentation

The thermotolerant fungus, Aspergillus niger NCIM 563, was used for production of extracellular phytase on agricultural residues: wheat bran, mustard cake, cowpea meal, groundnut cake, coconut cake, cotton cake and black bean flour in solid state fermentation (SSF). Maximum enzyme activity (108 U g⁻¹ dry mouldy bran, DMB) was obtained with cowpea meal. During the fermentation phytic acid was hydrolysed completely with a corresponding increase in biomass and phytase activity within 7 days. Phosphate in the form of KH₂PO₄ (10 mg per 100 g of agriculture residue) increased phytase activity. Among various surfactants added to SSF, Trition X-100 (0.5%) exhibited a 30% increase in phytase activity. The optimum pH and temperature of the crude enzyme were 5.0 and 50°C respectively. Phytase activity (86%) was retained in buffer of pH 3.5 for 24 h. The enzyme retained 75% of its activity on incubation at 55°C for 1 h. In the presence of 1 mM K⁺ and Zn²⁺, 95% and 55% of the activity were retained. Scanning electron microscopy showed a high density growth of fungal mycelia on wheat bran particles during SSF. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 237–243. Received 07 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 18 December 1999     

Purification and characterization of glucoamylase produced by Aspergillus niger in solid state fermentation

Glucoamylases produced by Aspergillus niger grown on wheat bran in solid cultures were purified. Four different forms, GA I, GA I', GA II and GA III, were found having apparent molecular weights of 112 000, 104 000, 74 000 and 61 000 Da respectively. The enzymes are glycoproteins with a carbohydrate content of 16%, and optimal activity at 60C and pH 4.4. Activity was strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺ while Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺ were stimulatory. The K_m values for the degradation of starch and maltose were 3.5 and 7.8 mg ml^-1, respectively.