Harnessing of low cost agro-industrial waste substrates for the optimum production of citric acid: A review

Abstract

Citric acid, an essential organic acid, holds significant importance across various industries due to its multifaceted applications in sectors such as food, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic. A broad range of microbes have potential to produces citric acid in optimum concentrations, most importantly includes Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida tropicalis, saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Yarrowia lipolytica. This review explores the biosynthesis of citric acid through innovative utilization of low-cost waste substrates and presenting an eco-friendly approach towards its synthesis. Subsequently, the classical and conventional production processes of citric acid are usually energy-intensive procedures, time consuming and utilizing expensive raw materials. In contrast, the utilization of low-cost waste substrates emerges as a sustainable alternative, promising reduced production costs and harmless for environmental. Various waste substrates, ranging from agricultural residues to industrial by-products, are evaluated for their potential in citric acid production. Since, their abundance, affordability and untreated or unutilized high nutrient value it gains a high research attention. This review emphasizes on a paradigm shift towards utilizing and exploring low-cost waste substrates and from where it can be collected.