Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Production Technology

Advanced Fermentation Technology for Vitamin C

At kasel group, we deliver modern fermentation-based technologies for Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) manufacturing. Our solutions are engineered exclusively for large-scale production plants, ensuring high yield, cost-efficiency, and sustainability to meet global demand in food, feed, pharmaceutical, and specialty sectors.

Process Principle and Production Flow Chart

– Fermentation Principle:

Single-step fermentation:
D-sorbitol → L-sorbose
Two-step fermentation:
L-sorbose → Gluconic acid → Sodium gluconate

– Refining Principle:

Sodium gluconate → Gluconic acid via ion exchange and resin regeneration.
Purification Principle:

• Esterification Reaction:
Gluconic acid + methanol → methyl gluconate
• Conversion Reaction:
Methyl gluconate + sodium bicarbonate → sodium vitamin C
• Ion Exchange:
Sodium vitamin C → Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Production Flow Chart
– VC Production Process Overview:
(Includes fermentation, extraction, purification, drying, and packaging steps, as detailed in diagrams and descriptions.)
I. Single-Step Fermentation (Sorbose Fermentation)

• Seed preparation (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th seed stages)
• Media composition: sorbitol, yeast extract, corn steep liquor, calcium carbonate, water, antifoam agent
• Sterilization
• Inoculation: with Acetobacter suboxydans
• Cultivation: 25–42 °C

II. Two-Step Fermentation (Sodium Gluconate Fermentation)
Similar multi-stage seed and fermentation process using Bacillus megaterium and Gluconobacter oxydans, temperatures 25–35 °C.
III. Gluconic Acid Extraction Process
Steps:

• Filtration (ceramic membranes)
• Ion exchange (pH ≤ 1.8)
• Multi-stage concentration (single, double, triple effect evaporators)
• Crystallization (cooling to -2 to 10 °C)
• Centrifugation (yield 65–95 %, moisture ≤ 15 %)

IV. Vitamin C Extraction Process
Steps:

• Esterification and Conversion: Gluconic acid + methanol + sulfuric acid → sodium vitamin C (cooling and crystallization)
• Ion Exchange and Decolorization: Using cation/anion resin, activated carbon
• Concentration and Crystallization: Multi-effect evaporation, cooling to -2 to 10 °C
• Centrifugation: Yields VC crude product (moisture ≤ 3 %)

Mother liquors (primary, secondary) are recycled in subsequent recovery steps.

V. Vitamin C Refining, Drying, and Packaging

• Dissolution and decolorization (with activated carbon)
• Filtration and crystallization (cooling to -2 to 5 °C)
• Centrifugation
• Drying and mixing (vacuum double-cone dryer or fluidized bed) at ≤ 50 °C, 6–8 hrs
• Packaging (LDPE bags, automatic packing lines)

Market Importance of Vitamin C Production

• Worldwide Consumption: Approximately 120,000–150,000 metric tons annually
• Applications Across Industries: Used as a dietary supplement, food fortifier, antioxidant, and animal feed additive, as well as in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
• Industry Drivers: Increasing demand and environmental priorities call for cost-effective, green production methods—which modern fermentation delivers.

Our Technology for Vitamin C Manufacturing

• Fully Biotechnological Two-Step Fermentation: Bypasses traditional chemical routes entirely, reducing waste and emissions
• Optimized Upstream and Downstream: Engineered for efficient fermentation, purification, and crystallization tailored to different product grades.
• Commercial-Scale Only: Designed exclusively for full industrial-scale facilities—no pilot plants or semi-commercial setups.
• Reliable Quality at Scale: Ensures consistent output in high-volume operations.

Global Vitamin C Market Overview

• Installed Production Capacity: ~200,000–220,000 metric tons per year
• Actual Global Consumption: ~120,000–150,000 metric tons per year
• Industry Insight: Overcapacity exists as many plants do not run at full capacity, depending on market conditions.

Major Vitamin C Producers & Installed Capacity

Together, these leading firms account for approximately 70–80% of global Vitamin C capacity, underscoring China’s dominance in supply

Why Work with Our Technology?

• Operational Efficiency at Scale: High-yield, cost-optimized fermentation reduces overall production costs.
• Sustainable Process Design: Fully biological approach with low waste and emissions.
• Tailored Quality Levels: You choose between food/feed-grade or pharmaceutical-grade Vitamin C.
• Commercial-Scale Engineering Expertise: We exclusively serve full-scale plants, with no pilot-scale offerings.

Application Highlights

• Food & Beverage: Vitamin C fortification and antioxidant use.
• Animal Nutrition: High-volume feed-grade Vitamin C production.
• Pharmaceutical & Specialty Markets: High-purity Vitamin C suitable for medical, cosmetic, and supplement applications.

Partner with kasel group

Leverage our advanced fermentation technology to build or modernize your Vitamin C facility. We deliver complete commercial-scale engineering solutions to ensure competitive costs, high quality, and sustainable operations.
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