| abstract |
Novel chemical processes are disclosed for the conversion of cis-aconitic acid, trans-aconitic acid, isocitric acid, alloisocitric acid and mixtures thereof into citric acid. The processes comprise heating selected alkaline earth metal salts of the aconitic and isocitric acids in an aqueous medium in the presence of alkali metal hydroxides or, preferably, selected alkaline earth metal hydroxides at elevated temperatures to produce the corresponding salts of citric acid. |