Multivariate Study and Analysis of the Production of Citric Acid from Dates by Surface Method

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.