Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation

Die weltweit am häufigsten verwendete organische Säure in Lebensmitteln

Food Processing & Preservation Global Industrial Scale $3.6 billion

Übersicht

Citric acid is the most produced organic acid globally, manufactured primarily through submerged fermentation of Aspergillus niger on sugar-based substrates. Used as an acidulant, flavoring agent, chelating agent, and preservative, citric acid is found in virtually every processed food and beverage. The fermentation process was industrialized by Pfizer in 1919, replacing extraction from Italian lemons. Over 70% of global production is consumed by the food and beverage industry.

Chemischer Prozess

Aspergillus niger is cultivated in stirred-tank bioreactors on molasses or glucose syrup at 28-30 degrees C for 6-10 days under manganese-deficient, high-sugar conditions. The broth is filtered, and citric acid is precipitated as calcium citrate by adding lime, then regenerated with sulfuric acid. The product is purified by carbon treatment and crystallization.

C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ →[A. niger, Mn²⁺-deficient] C₆H₈O₇ + CO₂ + H₂O (aerobic fermentation via modified TCA cycle)
C₆H₈O₇ + 3Ca(OH)₂ → Ca₃(C₆H₅O₇)₂ + 6H₂O (precipitation)

Rohstoffe

  • Sucrose/glucose syrup — Sugar refining or corn wet milling (Carbon source)
  • Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) — Chemical synthesis (Nitrogen source)
  • Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) — Lime kiln (Precipitation agent)

Endprodukte

  • Citric acid monohydrate (C₆H₈O₇·H₂O) — Food acidulant and preservative (Food-grade, >99.5% purity)
  • Trisodium citrate — Buffering agent in foods and pharmaceuticals (Derived product)
<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M12 9v3.75m-9.303 3.376c-.866 1.5.217 3.374 1.948 3.374h14.71c1.73 0 2.813-1.874 1.948-3.374L13.949 3.378c-.866-1.5-3.032-1.5-3.898 0L2.697 16.126zM12 15.75h.007v.008H12v-.008z" />

Environmental Impact

Fermentation generates large volumes of mycelial waste and calcium sulfate (gypsum) byproduct from the precipitation step. Modern plants use direct recovery by ion exchange or liquid-liquid extraction to eliminate gypsum waste. Wastewater has high BOD requiring biological treatment.

Sicherheitshinweise

Neuere Innovationen

Direct crystallization processes eliminating the calcium citrate precipitation step reduce waste by 50%.
Metabolically engineered Yarrowia lipolytica strains are being developed to produce citric acid from waste oils and fats.

Produktionsmaßstab

2500000

Tonnen/Jahr

$3.6 billion

Marktwert

Mehr in Food Processing & Preservation

Enzymatische Herstellung von Maissirup mit hohem Fructosegehalt (HFCS)

Global Industrial Scale

Ethanolfermentation für Getränke und industrielle Nutzung

Global Industrial Scale

Herstellung von Phosphorsäure in Lebensmittelqualität

Global Industrial Scale

Industrielle Synthese von Vitamin C (Ascorbinsäure)

Global Industrial Scale

Milchsäureproduktion zur Lebensmittelkonservierung

Global Industrial Scale

Mononatriumglutamat-(MSG-)Herstellung durch Fermentation

Global Industrial Scale

Zuckerraffination und Kristallisation

Global Industrial Scale

Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation?
Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation is used in the food processing & preservation sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation?
Aspergillus niger is cultivated in stirred-tank bioreactors on molasses or glucose syrup at 28-30 degrees C for 6-10 days under manganese-deficient, high-sugar conditions. The broth is filtered, and citric acid is precipitated as calcium citrate by adding lime, then regenerated with sulfuric acid. T
What is the economic significance of Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation?
Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation has a market value of $3.6 billion and annual production of 2,500,000 tons.
What is the environmental impact of Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation?
Fermentation generates large volumes of mycelial waste and calcium sulfate (gypsum) byproduct from the precipitation step. Modern plants use direct recovery by ion exchange or liquid-liquid extraction to eliminate gypsum waste. Wastewater has high BOD requiring biological treatment.
What raw materials are used in Zitronensäureproduktion durch Aspergillus-niger-Fermentation?
The main raw materials include: Sucrose/glucose syrup, Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃), Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).