[Utilization of paraffins and other noncarbohydrate carbon sources for microbial citric acid synthesis]

This article reviews the developments achieved in citrate and isocitrate accumulation with non-carbohydrate substrates by microorganisms presented as well in academic publications as in patients. The efficiency of citrate and isocitrate overproducing microorganisms and of mutants obtained thereof with respect to different carbon sources (n-alkanes, triglycerides, organic acids, etc.) is discussed. The influence of environmental conditions (media, pH etc.) and biochemical mechanisms which lead to metabolic overflow are emphasized. The kinetics of fermentation processes are described, calculations concerning carbon balances are involved. The production of by-products and the conversion of isocitrate to citrate is considered. The production of citric acid by yeasts which utilize different carbon sources may be economically feasible and an accession to the practized molasse-Aspergillus-process.