Relationship between citric acid production and accumulation of phytate-degrading enzymes in Aspergillus niger mycelia.

The ability of eight strains of Aspergillus niger to produce citric acid by the solid surface method were found to correlate with their capabilities to synthesize intracellular enzymes which degrade phytates (phytase and acid phosphatase). Another high correlation was observed between phytase and acid phosphatase activities bound to the cell walls of mycelia.