Citric acid annual production

Some of the products of mold metabolism have great importance. For example, a mold called Rhizopus produces fumaric acid, which can be used in the production of the drug cortisone. Other molds can produce alcohol, citric acid, oxalic acid, or a wide range of other chemicals. Some molds can cause fatal neural diseases in humans and other animals. Moldy bread is nonpoiso-nous. Nevertheless, approximately one hundred million loaves of moldy bread are discarded annually in the United States. The molds typically cause spoilage rather than rendering the bread poisonous. 

By the mid 1930 s over 80% of the world s citric acid was produced by fermentation. At present virtually all of the world production comes frcm this process. By 1981 over 200,000 tonnes were produced annually (possibly as higji as 300,(XX) tonnes) the industry in the United Kingdom at that time being worth some 20 million per annum, one tenth of the world s turnover. 

L-glutamate (6) and L-lysine (7). The annual world production of citric acid is now well over 0.5 million tonnes. Indeed, this figure probably underestimates the output in the Far East, particularly in countries such as China. Some estimates place the world production as high as 0.9 million tonnes, representing a sustained annual growth of over 8.5% for the past 60 years (Table 6.3). 

Fermentation at Fieldsboro, New Jersey. The plant was sold to Bzura Chemical, and was subsequently closed down because of operating difficulties. Cargill became the third U.S. citric acid producers in 1989. Recently, Pfizer sold its citric operation to ADM. The largest Japanese producer is Owata Chemical, with an annual sale of citric acid at about 10 billion yen. The world production is estimated at 250,000 tons a year, with about half produced in the United States. The demand for citric acid is expected to grow continuously. To successfully produce citric acid and compete with the established producers, a manufacturer must have extensive process know-how. 

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