Citric Acid Production by the Solid-State Cultivation Consortium of Aspergillus Niger and Trichoderma Reesei from Sugarcane Bagasse

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this research was to evaluate the SSC of Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma reesei alone and in consortium for the citric acid production from sugarcane bagasse. Methods: Solid-State Cultivation (SSC) is characterized by microbial growth on solid supports often agroindustrial by-products in the near absence of free water conditions. Citric acid, an important by-product used in various sectors of the economy, can be obtained from the SSC using sugarcane bagasse, minimizing the cost of its production with the use of this industrial by-product. Results: The fungal consortiums have advantages over the isolated cultures, highlighting the best use of substrates due to enzyme supplementation, especially hydrolases. Conclusion: The results indicated a specific production of citric acid of 2.51 mg per g of biomass per hour, which was higher than that obtained when using the two fungi alone.