• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.3 s.70
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• pp.337-343
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• 2005

Tapioca alcoholic distillery waste was utilized as dual purposes to produce citric acid and to reduce the amount of waste to be treated. Primarily an attempt was made to optimize the process conditions by Aspergillus niger in shake bath. The effects of pH, temperature, nitrogen and phosphorus sources on citric acid production were investigated. Maximum concentration of citric acid was made at temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ and pH of 4.3, while maximum cell dry weight was obtained at $35^{\circ}C$. The addition of methanol or ethanol to culture medium promoted citric acid production remarkably, but the addition of $NH_4NO_3,\;KH_2PO_4$ and Manganese as mineral source decreased the acid production.