TITLE:
Multivariate Study and Analysis of the Production of Citric Acid from Dates by Surface Method
AUTHORS:
Khalid Al-Shoaily, Mansoura Al-Amri, Fouzia Al-Rawahi, Muhammad Al-Sidrani, Amal Al-Ghafri
KEYWORDS:
Dates; Citric; Aspergillus niger
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment,
Vol.3 No.2B,
May
2,
2014
ABSTRACT: The production of
citric acid from dates of the date palm Phoenix dactilifera was studied using a
full factorial design with two design variables; Aspergillus niger strain, and
starter juice treatment. Analyses of data have shown that mould type and the interaction
between Aspergillus niger strain + juice treatment had significant effect (P ≥
0.05) on the final total acidity. It was also found that all design variables
and the interaction between them had significant effect (P ≥ 0.05) on the final
pH and Total Soluble Solids. The highest total acidity expressed as citric acid
was achieved with a commercial strain of Aspergillus niger, and filtered and
centrifuged date juice.