Palm dates as a source for isolation of Aspergillus niger to produce citric acid by submerged fermentation; Kinetics study

Abstract

The study discussed here deals with the isolation of Aspergillus niger from palm dates, the formal and the most famous fruit in Iraq, to test and qualify this fungus isolate for its ability to produce citric acid. Submerged fermentation technique was used in the fermentation process. A.niger isolated from "Zahdi"Palme dates was used in the study of the fermentation kinetics to get the production efficiency of citric acid. Kinetics of CA production via fermentation by A. niger S11 was evaluated within 432 h fermentation time and under submerged conditions of 11% (w/v) sucrose, 5% (v/v) inoculum size, pH 4, 30 C and 150 rpm. The maximum citric acid produced was (37.116 g/l). Kinetic criterions (product, exhaustion and growth rates "Cp/t, Cs/t, Cx/t", yield coefficients "Yp/s, Yp/x, Yx/s", and specific fermentation rate constants "qp, qs") were studied and discussed to reach to a logical explanation of fermentation process.