Improved production of citric acid by a diploid strain of Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Aspergillus niger strain CGU 87 was treated with UV radiation and some auxotrophic mutants were obtained. These mutants were less productive than CGU 87, which produced an average of 7.4% citric acid. All possible crosses in pair wise combinations were carried out between these auxotrophs, and three heterokaryons were synthesised. Finally, one heterozygous diploid was isolated from each of them. These heterokaryons and diploids showed improved productivity when compared with their component parents, but except in one diploid D5, all others produced less citric acid than CGU 87. The yield of D5 exceeded that of CGU 87 by 1.2 times and it produced 9% citric acid. This is a significant improvement and the increased productivity seems to be the result of successful adaptation of D5 to its fermentation environment.