REPEATED BATCH-PRODUCTION OF CITRIC-ACID FROM SUGARCANE MOLASSES USING RECYCLED SOLID-STATE SURFACE CULTURE OF ASPERGILLUS-NIGER

The recycled solid-state surface fermentation (SSF) culture of Aspergillus niger KCU520 was used for repeated batch production of citric acid from sugarcane molasses. The rate of citric acid production was doubled, reducing the fermentation time to half, compared to the normal single cycle batch submerged or surface fermentation process. About 80% sugar was converted to citric acid in rive-day batch fermentation and three batches were carried out with the same fungal mat without any significant loss of productivity.