Process for producing citric acid and/or citrates

摘要

Citric acid and/or the salts thereof are produced from a raw material containing carbohydrates. An aqueous solution of the raw material is converted into a first solution containing citric acid by means of fermentation, and from the first solution a second solution containing citric acid is obtained by means of a cell separation. The second solution is subjected to a protein precipitation at temperatures of 2 to 70 DEG C., and protein is separated by filtration. From the filtration, a third solution containing citric acid is obtained, and the same is passed through a first anion exchanger. The solution containing citric acid, which is discharged from the first anion exchanger, is passed through a second anion exchanger, which is selectively charged with citric acid. The second anion exchanger charged with citric acid is eluted with hydroxide solution or water, and there is thus obtained a fourth solution, in which citrate or citric acid is dissolved. Water is at least partly removed from the fourth solution.