Abstract

CITRIC ACID PRODUCED FROM CITRUS MEDICA AND ITS PEEL AS A SUBSTRATE AND EFFECT OF ALCOHOLS AT DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS

M. Sashi Prabha* and G. Subba Rangaiah

Abstract

Citric acid i.e. 2-hydroxy propane,2,3-tricarboxylic acid (CH2COOH.COH.COOH.CH2COOH) is ubiquitous in nature. Citric acid is one of the most important bulk produced organic acids. In the present study more focus is on the economical grounds of citric acid production for which, different Citrus medica and its peels were selected as a substrates for the production, which can be proved economical. In order to fulfill the same Aspergillus niger MTCC 281 culture was used as a source of organisms, Citron (Citrus medica) and its peels which are dumped indiscriminately after extracting the edible portion and this uncontrolled activity leads to environmental pollution with the resultant health hazard to the populace. So, these municipal wastes were considered for the citric acid fermentation. The rate of production of citric acid using peel was compared with the production rate using the fruits (Citrus medica), which are in turn considered as a rich carbohydrate source. The whole productions i.e. fruit yield and fruit peel yield were compared with citric acid yield from Sucrose as a source of substrate. In the second part of the work test for effect of alcohols on the rate of production was studied to identify whether the respective alcohol is acting as a stimulant or as an inhibitor on the production rate. Three different alcohols were used (methanol, ethanol and Butanol) at different concentrations.

Keywords: Citric acid, Citrus medica, stimulants, substrate, Alcohols.