Production of calcium gluconate from cassava by Penicillium citrinum SCG-112

The feasibility of using cassava powder as the main material for production of calcium gluconate by Penicillium citrinum SCG-112 was evaluated in this study. The effect of incubation temperature, initial pH of the medium and inoculum size on production of calcium gluconate was investigated. The maximum yield of calcium gluconate (155 g/L) was obtained after 36 h incubation. The result was both technically competitive and economically attractive.   Key words: Calcium gluconate, cassava, Penicillium citrinum.