Citric acid can be produced commercially through a process called fermentation. The specific type of fermentation used to produce citric acid is called Aspergillus niger fermentation. Here are the steps:

1. Preparation of the substrate: The process begins with the preparation of a substrate from a source of sugar. This could be molasses or any other sugar-rich product.

2. Inoculation: The substrate is then inoculated with the fungus Aspergillus niger. This fungus is known to produce citric acid.

3. Fermentation: The inoculated substrate is then allowed to ferment. During fermentation, the fungus metabolizes the sugar in the substrate and produces citric acid as a byproduct.

4. Extraction: After fermentation, the citric acid is extracted from the mixture. This is usually done by adding calcium hydroxide to the mixture to form calcium citrate.

5. Precipitation: The calcium citrate is then treated with sulfuric acid to precipitate out the citric acid.

6. Purification: The precipitated citric acid is then purified, usually through crystallization, to produce pure citric acid.

This is the most common method of commercial citric acid production. It is a relatively simple and cost-effective process, which is why it is widely used.

Question

Citric acid can be produced commercially through a process called fermentation. The specific type of fermentation used to produce citric acid is called Aspergillus niger fermentation. Here are the steps:

1. Preparation of the substrate: The process begins with the preparation of a substrate from a source of sugar. This could be molasses or any other sugar-rich product.

2. Inoculation: The substrate is then inoculated with the fungus Aspergillus niger. This fungus is known to produce citric acid.

3. Fermentation: The inoculated substrate is then allowed to ferment. During fermentation, the fungus metabolizes the sugar in the substrate and produces citric acid as a byproduct.

4. Extraction: After fermentation, the citric acid is extracted from the mixture. This is usually done by adding calcium hydroxide to the mixture to form calcium citrate.

5. Precipitation: The calcium citrate is then treated with sulfuric acid to precipitate out the citric acid.

6. Purification: The precipitated citric acid is then purified, usually through crystallization, to produce pure citric acid.

This is the most common method of commercial citric acid production. It is a relatively simple and cost-effective process, which is why it is widely used.

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