Extraction of Citric Acid from Fruit Juices using Supported Liquid Membrane

This study deals with facilitated transport of citric acid using supported liquid membrane composed of polytetrafluroethylene membrane as the support, Aliquat-336, toluene, sodium carbonate+sodium bicarbonate as carrier, organic-membrane and strip phase, respectively, from aqueous solutions and fruit juices. The optimum citric acid extraction conditions from aqueous solutions in batch mode were investigated and the standardized conditions were applied for extraction of citric acid from fruit juices. Complete and partial (33%) citric acid extraction was achieved from sweet-lime, lemon, and orange juices with sodium carbonate+sodium bicarbonate and distilled water as strip solutions, respectively. Practical ApplicationsThe present study of facilitated and controlled extraction of citric acid from citrus fruit juices using supported liquid membrane stands as an alternative method of de-souring citrus fruit juices for improving the palatability and consumer acceptability of the processed citrus fruit juice. The standardized various extraction parameters provide optimum conditions for complete or partial citric acid from model systems and fruit juices.