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Itaconic acid (IA) is an organic acid having a wide scope of applications in different fields like
pharmacy, agriculture, dental, ophtalamic and chemistry. In this study, a systematic process
optimization was performed with an Aspergillus terreus MTCC 479 by using cheap raw materials
like maize flour, waste potatoes and corn starch. Acid hydrolysis was performed by using HCl and
Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out by production of amylase (enzyme activity 126U/ml) using
Aspergillus oryzae MTCC 645.Itaconic acid production was 15.5g/l from control (with pure
glucose), 10.3g/l from corn starch, 6.5g/l from maize flour and 5.8g/l from waste potatoes at 120h.
After purification by solvent extraction method using n-Butanol as solvent, itaconic acid
concentration was increased 2-3 times i.e., 40.80g/l for control ,35.75g/l for corn starch, 22.75g/l
for maize flour and 17.55g/l for waste potatoes respectively using 1:3 aqueous to organic phase
ratio. So this study shows the comparison of production of itaconic acid by using cheap raw
materials and also the use of inexpensive method for purification which will be helpful in decreasing
the process economics.
Key words: Aspergillus terreus, Itaconic acid, Aspergillus oryzae, Bromination, Solvent extraction method