Biotechnology Applied to the Production of Citric Acid Through Sugar Fermentation by Aspergillus Mold from an Environmental Source

Abstract

Citric acid is a highly useful raw material in the food industry and other industries requiring an organic acid. This compound is produced on an industrial scale through the fermentation of carbohydrates such as molasses and other carbohydrate-rich products. The present study aims to obtain citric acid through fermentation using Aspergillus molds isolated from an environmental control culture medium. After isolating and identifying the Aspergillus mold via optical microscopy, it was inoculated into a sugar solution containing phosphate salts. After two months, the culture was sterilized and filtered, acidity tests were performed, and the carboxylic acid was separated using classical precipitation methods. The product was then characterized using classical organic tests, infrared spectroscopy, and optical microscopy, achieving a 15% yield. This study represents the first work of its kind conducted at Tecsup.