Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of aspartic acid poly-condensate from a carbohydrate comprising the steps of: fermenting a carbohydrate-containing medium by means of a fumaric acid-producing microorganism, whereby a fumarate-containing fermentation liquor is formed; forming a purified ammonium fumarate solution from the fumarate-containing fermentation liquor; enzymatically converting the purified ammonium fumarate into purified ammonium aspartate; heating an aqueous solution of an aspartate salt derived from the purified ammonium aspartate whereby water is removed, an aspartic acid condensate is formed and a second product is formed, which second product is basic and contains the cation of the aspartate salt; and removing and using the basic second product as a reagent in another step of the process.