Aspergillus niger is a black mold that naturally appears on produce, as pictured on the onion above. However, the ingenuity of the industrial food industry has made it so that citric acid can be created from Aspergillus niger. YIKES! You’ve likely heard of how unhealthy black mold is. There are even certain strains of Aspergillus that, if inhaled, can cause vital sicknesses. This particular strain of Aspergillus (niger) used to make citric acid is not as lethal as others, however for those with a weak or impaired immune system, Aspergillus niger has been found to pose serious health risks from spore inhalation. I do want to point out that citric acid can be obtained from lemon or pineapple juice (the way nature intend), producing it from A. niger is a far less expensive process for food manufacturers.
Here is what the FDA has to say about the process of citric acid fermentation by this black mold.
To quote this research article:
Most citric acid is produced by fungal (A. niger) fermentation. Chemical synthesis of citric acid is possible but it is not cheaper than fungal fermentation. However, a small amount of citric acid is still produced from citrus fruits in Mexico and South America where they are available economically.
INFECTIONS IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
The below quote is from chapter 9 from the book Diagnostic Pathology of Infectious Disease
Several species can infect the esophagus, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillusflavus. Aspergillus commonly colonizes immunocompromised patients 33-35 but can invade tissues and disseminate via the bloodstream, posing a life-threatening condition. Patients with esophageal aspergillosis present with painful or difficult swallowing and weight loss. Concurrent mucosal candidiasis may be present.
FEEDING THE MOLD
Black mold is able to efficiently (and inexpensively) convert sugars into citric acid. Usually by feeding sucrose or glucose (commonly derived from corn starch – likely GMO) to the black mold, a citric acid solution is created.
https://www.lilsipper.com/citric-acid-what-is-it-really/
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