Sugar Extraction Research Articles

Sustainable bioethanol production by solid-state fermentation: a systematic review.

The escalation of the global population has accelerated the demand for sustainable energy sources such as bioethanol. Traditionally, bioethanol was obtained by the fermentation of sugar from agricultural crops and grains. However, this technique creates serious threats on the global food supplies, thus hindering the commercial production of bioethanol. Therefore, there is a need to develop new technologies and low-cost raw materials in order to ensure that bioethanol is economically comparable to the first generation of bioethanol. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) has been in the limelight within the scientific community because of its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and promising technology to produce bioethanol. SSF involves the cultivation of microorganisms on a solid substrate in the absence of free-flowing water, which eliminates the need for sugar extraction and reduces wastewater production. This systematic review provides an overview of the applications of SSF in bioethanol production while presenting recent studies and advancements of this technology for producing sustainable and cost-effective bioethanol.

A standard area diagram for Fusarium yellows rating in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris)

AbstractMembers of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex are pathogens of sugar beet causing Fusarium yellows. Fusarium yellows can reduce plant stand, yield and extractable sugar. Improving host plant resistance against Fusarium‐induced diseases, like Fusarium yellows, represents an important long‐term breeding target in sugar beet breeding programmes. Current methods for rating Fusarium yellows disease severity rely on an ordinal scale, which limits precision for intermediate phenotypes. In this study, we aimed to improve the accuracy and precision of rating Fusarium yellows by developing a standard area diagram (SAD). Two SAD versions were created using images of sugar beets infected with Fusarium oxysporum strain F19. Each version was tested using inexperienced raters. Version 1 and the improved version 2 SAD showed no statistical differences in Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (LCC) values, which was used to assess accuracy and precision between the two versions (Cb = 0.99 for both versions, c = 0.97 and 0.96 for version 1 and 2, respectively). In addition, five naïve Bayesian machine‐learning models that used pixel classification to determine disease score were tested for congruency to human estimates in SAD version 2. Root mean square error was lowest compared to the ‘true’ values for the unweighted model and a model where necrotic tissue was given a 2× weight (12.4 and 12.6, respectively). The creation of this SAD enables breeding programmes to make consistent, accurate disease ratings regardless of personnel's previous experience with Fusarium yellows. Additionally, more iterations of pixel quantification equations may overcome accuracy issues for rating Fusarium yellows.

Noncentrifugal Sugar Extracts from Ethyl Acetate Inhibited Inflammatory Factor Expression through Relieving Cell Oxidation in Caco-2 Cells

Noncentrifugal Sugar Extracts from Ethyl Acetate Inhibited Inflammatory Factor Expression through Relieving Cell Oxidation in Caco-2 Cells

Effect of planting densities by the practice of twin rows on the agronomic and technological parameters of sugar cane in rainfed cultivation

With the aim of improving sugar cane productivity under rainfed conditions, a study of the effect of planting densities using paired rows on sugar cane yield parameters was carried out at the CNRA Ferkéssédougou station in northern Côte d'Ivoire. The experimental design used was a Fischer block, comprising three repetitions of six treatments, designated T1 to T6. The results revealed that treatments T1 and T2 improved cane yields, reaching 149±18.04 and 157±44.55 t/ha, respectively. Similarly, an increase in the number of usable stems per hectare of 207,726 ± 13144.44 and 216,468 ± 70412.15 was noted for treatments T1 and T2 respectively. Furthermore, the T6 treatment improved the technological parameters (Brix (22.4 ± 0.86 %); Fibre content (16.8 ± 0.11 %); Pol (19.4 ± 0.81 %) ; Purity of juice (86.7 ± 1.09 %) ; Saccharin content (14.9 ± 0.62 %); Extractable sugar (10.5 ± 0.52 %)). The study also identified three promising planting densities for village cane :1.1m and 1.3m row spacing at 0.4m and 1.3m row spacing at 0.5m. In conclusion, the cultural practice of density in twin rows in sugar cane plantations in rainfed conditions allows an increase in agronomic and technological parameters. This cultivation practice could contribute to an increase in yield or even a substantial increase in sugar production.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Emerging Maceration Techniques for Enhancing Bioactive Compounds in Aronia Juice.

Ultrasound and microwave maceration techniques have been utilised to lower production costs and reduce processing time, while also preventing the degradation of nutrients like phenolics and vitamin C and preserving physical properties such as colour and viscosity. In this study, the effects of several traditional (cold, enzymatic, and thermal) and innovative (ultrasonic and microwave) maceration methods on some quality parameters of aronia juice were investigated. Microwave maceration significantly impacted the soluble solids content of the analysed juices and resulted in noticeably darker juice samples compared to the controls, with lower L*/lightness (20.1) and b*/blue-yellowness (-3.2) values and an increased a*/redness value (1.7). Different maceration methods also significantly impacted the rheological properties of the treated juices, among which MW treatment consistently showed a higher viscosity. Sorbitol and fructose were the main sugars identified, while malic acid and quinic acid accounted for 85% of the total acid content. Significant increases in the total sugar and acid concentrations were obtained in the juice samples from ultrasonic, microwave, and enzymatic maceration, while thermomaceration had no significant effect. The concentration of total phenolics ranged from 6.45 g/L in the thermomaceration samples to 9.86 and 14.07 g/L in the ultrasonic and microwave samples, respectively. The obtained results suggest that ultrasonic and microwave technologies were superior in terms of colour improvement and the extraction of sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds compared to traditional maceration methods. Ultrasound and microwave technologies present possible approaches to the improvement of aronia juice production in comparison to traditional methods.

Extraction of fermentable sugars and phenolic compounds from Colombian cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shells using subcritical water technology: Response surface methodology and chemical profiling

Subcritical water extraction (SCWE) is a novel technology that uses water at high pressure and temperature to recover bioactive compounds. While promising, further studies are needed to fully understand the potential of SCWE when applied to cashew nut shells (CNS), which are rich in phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and other natural substances. This study aimed to evaluate SCWE applied to CNS from Vichada, Colombia, using a surface response methodology and to perform a comprehensive chemical profiling of the recovered extracts and the remaining solids. A Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to study the extraction process, focusing on variables such as temperature, pressure, and solid-to-solvent ratio. The liquid extracts were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, while the extracted solids were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The liquid extracts revealed a variety of compounds, including xylose, glucose, arabinose, long-chain phenols, organic acids, and furans. Extraction conditions significantly influenced the distribution of these compounds, with the optimal conditions for extracting fermentable sugars and organic acids identified as 180 °C, 15 bar, and a 20:1 mL/g solid-to-solvent ratio. The resulting hydrochar comprised lignin (58.82 ± 3.44 %) and structural carbohydrates (approximately 40 %), showing thermal stability up to 200 °C, OH functional groups on its surface, and a textured morphology under microscopy. These by-products have potential applications in various fields. This study demonstrates that SCWE effectively recovers valuable compounds from CNS for use in fermentation processes, suggesting that the resulting hydrochar could be utilized in soil amendment, adsorption, or energy applications. SCWE is highlighted as an innovative and environmentally friendly technology for managing cashew residual biomass, promoting sustainability and circularity in this production chain.

Optimization of Sugar Extraction Process from Date Waste Using Full Factorial Design Toward Its Use for New Biotechnological Applications.

In Tunisia, the date industry generates a large quantity of waste, raising environmental concerns. However, dates are rich in sugars, which offer a renewable source of nutrients for various applications. In this study, sugar extraction from two low-grade pitted date fruits (Alig and Kentichi) under ultrasound, was optimized using full factorial design. At 40 °C, for20 min, and with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 10 mL/g, the optimum sugar contents were 60.87% and 50.79% for the varieties Alig and Kentichi, respectively. The date extracts were chemically analyzed, revealing low fat and protein contents, but significant polyphenol and mineral contents in both varieties. HPLC-IR analysis revealed more inverted sugars (glucose and fructose) in the Alig variety and more sucrose in the Kentichi variety. FTIR and SEM analysis showed the efficiency of the ultrasonic treatment of the biomass in terms of improving mass transfer diffusion through ultrasonic cavitation. Thus, ultrasound-assisted extraction constitutes an effective method for the recovery of sugar from date waste.

Continental-scale insights into the sugarbeet diffusion juice microbiomes.

Bacterial contamination of raw diffusion juice poses unique challenges during the sugar extraction process. This study profiled bacterial communities by using full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and quantified the carbohydrate concentrations in raw diffusion juice samples received from sugar factory regions across the USA and Canada. Juice samples were collected at four time points during the 2021 and 2022 processing campaigns. Firmicutes was the dominant phylum from the raw diffusion juice samples collected during both campaigns and comprised 85.5% of total bacterial abundance. Lactic acid bacteria such as Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus were among the core genera which also dominated the bacterial community in raw diffusion juice. Positive correlations in the abundance of functionally and taxonomically related bacterial communities were identified. During the 2021 campaign, 44 bacterial genera were differentially abundant in raw diffusion juice extracted from sugarbeet roots in Periods 1 to 4. This number declined sixfold during the 2022 campaign to three genera. The concentration of raffinose in raw diffusion juice positively correlated to the relative abundance of Leuconostoc. Furthermore, an in vitro assay was performed to assess the growth dynamics of Leuconostoc mesenteroides in sucrose or raffinose-rich medium and observed the rapid consumption of both carbohydrates by this bacterium. This finding is important for deciphering microbial growth dynamics in raw diffusion juice that can be useful in minimizing sugar loss during the factory processing.IMPORTANCEFindings additionally provide baseline information that can be used to develop mitigation strategies that reduce losses due to microbial contamination of sucrose processing streams.

Exploring macroalgae biorefinery: Extraction of bioactive compounds and production of volatile fatty acids

Macroalgae have gained significant attention in recent research owing to their potential as novel food source and their noteworthy nutritional properties. However, a substantial amount of these macroalgae accumulates along the coast without being utilized, highlighting the need for proper treatment and disposal methods to mitigate secondary pollution effects. Previous studies on macroalgae have primarily focused on extracting bioactive compounds or anaerobic digestion processes to produce methane or volatile fatty acids (VFA), with observed improvements following different pre-treatments. In this study, three biorefinery options for macroalgae have been compared. Additionally, the extraction of bioactive compounds followed by VFA production is proposed as a promising new valorization strategy. Milled macroalgae exhibited a low methane production yield (138 ± 17 NmL CH4·g volatile solid−1), corresponding to 31 ± 4 % biodegradability, while the acidification percentage was higher (45 ± 1%). Among the three solvents applied (water, ethanol and acetone), ethanol (80%) at 25 °C was the most effective in recovering bioactive compounds, such as chlorophylls, sugars, and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. The extraction of chlorophylls and phenolic compounds was not influenced by particle size reduction. However, a more efficient extraction of sugars was observed with lower particle size. Moreover, ethanol treatment demonstrated the good efficiency in VFA production, reaching up to 3.6 ± 0.2 g VFA-(chemical oxygen demand, COD)·L−1, with a VFA spectrum (in COD basis) consisting of 51% acetic acid, 29% propionic acid, 5% i-butyric acid, 7% butyric acid, and 7% i-valeric acid. These findings highlight the potential of ethanol for efficient compound recovery and VFA production from macroalgae.

Toward integration of glycan chemical databases: an algorithm and software tool for extracting sugars from chemical structures.

Integration of glycan-related databases between different research fields is essential in glycoscience. It requires knowledge across the breadth of science because most glycans exist as glycoconjugates. On the other hand, especially between chemistry and biology, glycan data has not been easy to integrate due to the huge variety of glycan structure representations. We have developed WURCS (Web 3.0 Unique Representation of Carbohydrate Structures) as a notation for representing all glycan structures uniquely for the purpose of integrating data across scientific data resources. While the integration of glycan data in the field of biology has been greatly advanced, in the field of chemistry, progress has been hampered due to the lack of appropriate rules to extract sugars from chemical structures. Thus, we developed a unique algorithm to determine the range of structures allowed to be considered as sugars from the structural formulae of compounds, and we developed software to extract sugars in WURCS format according to this algorithm. In this manuscript, we show that our algorithm can extract sugars from glycoconjugate molecules represented at the molecular level and can distinguish them from other biomolecules, such as amino acids, nucleic acids, and lipids. Available as software, MolWURCS is freely available and downloadable ( https://gitlab.com/glycoinfo/molwurcs ).

Using Extracted Sugars from Spoiled Date Fruits as a Sustainable Feedstock for Ethanol Production by New Yeast Isolates.

This study focuses on investigating sugar recovery from spoiled date fruits (SDF) for sustainable ethanol production using newly isolated yeasts. Upon their isolation from different food products, yeast strains were identified through PCR amplification of the D1/D2 region and subsequent comparison with the GenBank database, confirming isolates KKU30, KKU32, and KKU33 as Saccharomyces cerevisiae; KKU21 as Zygosaccharomyces rouxii; and KKU35m as Meyerozyma guilliermondii. Optimization of sugar extraction from SDF pulp employed response surface methodology (RSM), varying solid loading (20-40%), temperature (20-40 °C), and extraction time (10-30 min). Linear models for sugar concentration (R1) and extraction efficiency (R2) showed relatively high R2 values, indicating a good model fit. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of temperature and extraction time on extraction efficiency. The results of batch ethanol production from SDF extracts using mono-cultures indicated varying consumption rates of sugars, biomass production, and ethanol yields among strains. Notably, S. cerevisiae strains exhibited rapid sugar consumption and high ethanol productivity, outperforming Z. rouxii and M. guilliermondii, and they were selected for scaling up the process at fed-batch mode in a co-culture. Co-cultivation resulted in complete sugar consumption and higher ethanol yields compared to mono-cultures, whereas the ethanol titer reached 46.8 ± 0.2 g/L.

꾸지뽕나무 열매 당침액 이용 콤부차의 이화학적 품질 특성 및 인체 폐암세포 항증식 활성

This study was conducted to develop kombucha with better functionality. The developed kombucha (CK) was prepared using the sugar extracts from fruits of Cudrania tricuspidata (Carrière) Bureau ex Lavallée instead of the sugar, which is used as a substrate for SCOBY in conventional kombucha (K). During fermentation, the soluble solids content significantly decreased in CK compared to K, and the pH change decreased rapidly in CK compared to K. On the 14th day of fermentation, the weight of the SCOBY in CK was higher than that in K. Immediately after preparation, K contained only sucrose, but CK contained sucrose, glucose, and fructose. SCOBY appears to use glucose and fructose preferentially during fermentation. K contained acetic acid and citric acid right after preparation. However, as fermentation progressed, the composition changed to acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. At the same time, CK initially consisted of citric acid, lactic acid, and acetic acid. However, acetic acid and citric acid increased but lactic acid decreased significantly on the 14th day of fermentation. In the cytotoxicity studies, the CK showed a proliferation-promoting effect on normal lung cells (MRC-5) and strong cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells (A549). These results suggest that the kombucha made from sugar extracts of C. tricuspidata fruits can be used as a more functional beverage than regular kombucha.

꾸지뽕나무 열매 당침액 이용 콤부차의 이화학적 품질 특성 및 인체 폐암세포 항증식 활성

This study was conducted to develop kombucha with better functionality. The developed kombucha (CK) was prepared using the sugar extracts from fruits of Cudrania tricuspidata (Carrière) Bureau ex Lavallée instead of the sugar, which is used as a substrate for SCOBY in conventional kombucha (K). During fermentation, the soluble solids content significantly decreased in CK compared to K, and the pH change decreased rapidly in CK compared to K. On the 14th day of fermentation, the weight of the SCOBY in CK was higher than that in K. Immediately after preparation, K contained only sucrose, but CK contained sucrose, glucose, and fructose. SCOBY appears to use glucose and fructose preferentially during fermentation. K contained acetic acid and citric acid right after preparation. However, as fermentation progressed, the composition changed to acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. At the same time, CK initially consisted of citric acid, lactic acid, and acetic acid. However, acetic acid and citric acid increased but lactic acid decreased significantly on the 14th day of fermentation. In the cytotoxicity studies, the CK showed a proliferation-promoting effect on normal lung cells (MRC-5) and strong cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells (A549). These results suggest that the kombucha made from sugar extracts of C. tricuspidata fruits can be used as a more functional beverage than regular kombucha.

Nonindustrial pretreatment and enzymes can yield sufficient calories from lignocellulosic biomass for human survival.

Following a global catastrophe causing reduced sunlight, the environment would become unfavorable for crop growth. Under such conditions, people might need to convert inedible plant biomass into food to meet their daily nutritional requirements. However, the possibility of converting biomass into food under low-resource conditions has not been thoroughly studied. To address this uncertainty, we evaluated the potential for using resources available in a typical household to extract sugars from willow biomass and meet the carbohydrate needs of an adult. Grinding willow biomass in a household blender for 24 min produced willow particles similar to those produced in a laboratory-scale Wiley mill. Thermal treatments of these particles with hot water extraction, pressure cooking, or microwaving only extracted 0.5%-0.8% (w/w) glucose from the biomass. Household acid or alkali treatments yielded only 0.5% (w/w) glucose. These sugar yields would be insufficient to provide nutrition to an adult. In contrast, enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated willow at 50°C for 72 h yielded 2%-8% (w/w) glucose, and pretreating willow with sodium hydroxide and pressure before enzymatic treatment increased glucose yields to 28% (w/w). With this pretreatment approach and subsequent enzymatic conversion, ~1.4 kg of biomass/day could potentially fulfill the energy needs of an adult under post-catastrophic conditions. We posit that while biomass can be successfully pretreated for enzymatic deconstruction at a household level, producing sufficient enzymes for efficient sugar extraction from inedible plant biomass in a post-catastrophic environment might not be feasible at the household scale, thus requiring community-scale infrastructure and coordination.

Enhancement in sugar extraction from Pistia stratiotes through statistical optimization of alkaline pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis

In lignocellulosic biomass, reducing structural recalcitrance and enhancing hydrolysis efficiency are crucial factors for increasing fermentable sugars and the production of valuable products. This biomass substrate comprises lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose. In this study, response surface methodology was employed to optimise alkaline pre-treatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, aiming to enhance the saccharification of Pistia stratiotes. The NaOH concentration during pre-treatment significantly influenced the delignification process, resulting in increased cellulose content. The highest cellulose content was achieved with 2.47% NaOH at 120 °C for 60 min, leading to enhanced cell porosity and facilitating greater enzyme saccharification accessibility. Under these optimized conditions, the sample exhibited a 51.66% cellulose content. The physicochemical characteristics of the cellulose obtained after pre-treatment were analysed using SEM, FTIR, and TGA. After enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose with a commercially available cellulase enzyme, 31.06 g/L of reduced sugar was produced after 72 h. This study demonstrates that alkaline pre-treatment of Pistia stratiotes significantly increased its cellulose content, leading to a higher sugar yield during enzymatic hydrolysis.

Supplementation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) residue for growth and lactic acid production of probiotic bacterial Lactobacillus spp.

Date palm is an age-old cultivated plant that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. The date palm is a bountiful source of carbohydrates, encompassing sucrose, glucose, and fructose and proteins. The date industry generates a significant volume of unused by-products. Dates offer a diverse range of by-products beyond the agri-food sector. LAB have garnered extensive utilisation across diverse food sectors, spanning meat, vegetables, beverages, dairy products, and other fermented foods. In the quest for establishing a new large-scale fermentation process for lactic acid there has been a concerted effort to utilise more cost-effective medium components. In the present work, date palm residue (DPR) derived from date palm fruit, after sugar extraction, was incorporated into MRS. The fermentation process was executed through two distinct fermentation systems. Initially, experiments were conducted in flasks. Afterward, the optimal conditions for bacterial growth were determined, and the experiment was carried out using a bioreactor. DPR supported the probiotic Lactobacillus spp. growth especially after 48 h incubation. The prebiotic effect of DPR on Lactobacillus spp. was reported. An increase in the total number of bacterial populations was observed in response to the addition the DPR until 48 h. Specifically, the supplementing DPR at a concentration of 1.5% in batch fermentation enhanced the growth and lactic acid production of Lactobacillus casei. This study suggests that DPR could potentially function as an economical prebiotic source and could be seamlessly incorporated as a functional food ingredient, thereby transforming a waste product into an economically sustainable food substrate.

Selective Extraction of Second-Generation Sugars by Sequential Acid and Alkali Pretreatment of Arundo donax for Xylitol and Ethanol Production by Candida tropicalis

Selective Extraction of Second-Generation Sugars by Sequential Acid and Alkali Pretreatment of Arundo donax for Xylitol and Ethanol Production by Candida tropicalis

SlZIP11 mediates zinc accumulation and sugar storage in tomato fruits.

Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient essential for plant growth and development. Transporter proteins of the ZRT/IRT-like protein (ZIP) family play crucial roles in maintaining Zn homeostasis. Although the acquisition, translocation, and intracellular transport of Zn are well understood in plant roots and leaves, the genes that regulate these pathways in fruits remain largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of SlZIP11 in regulating tomato fruit development. We used Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Micro-Tom' SlZIP11 (Solanum lycopersicum) is highly expressed in tomato fruit, particularly in mature green (MG) stages. For obtaining results, we employed reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), yeast two-hybrid assay, bimolecular fluorescent complementation, subcellular localization assay, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), SlZIP11 overexpression, determination of Zn content, sugar extraction and content determination, and statistical analysis. RT-qPCR analysis showed elevated SlZIP11 expression in MG tomato fruits. SlZIP11 expression was inhibited and induced by Zn deficiency and toxicity treatments, respectively. Silencing SlZIP11 via the VIGS technology resulted in a significant increase in the Zn content of tomato fruits. In contrast, overexpression of SlZIP11 led to reduced Zn content in MG fruits. Moreover, both silencing and overexpression of SlZIP11 caused alterations in the fructose and glucose contents of tomato fruits. Additionally, SlSWEEET7a interacted with SlZIP11. The heterodimerization between SlSWEET7a and SlZIP11 affected subcellular targeting, thereby increasing the amount of intracellularly localized oligomeric complexes. Overall, this study elucidates the role of SlZIP11 in mediating Zn accumulation and sugar transport during tomato fruit ripening. These findings underscore the significance of SlZIP11 in regulating Zn levels and sugar content, providing insights into its potential implications for plant physiology and agricultural practices.

Creating sustainable and flexible architectural skin with microbial cellulose-based material: synthesis and mechanical characterization

AbstractAttaining sustainability by developing efficient architectural materials will be a suitable remedy for various environmental problems. Incorporating clean biotechnology, particularly Bacterial Cellulose (BC), into the field of Architecture Design offers a novel strategy with the objective of creating environmentally-friendly architectural materials. The key goal of this research is to investigate the synthesis of BC by cultivating kombucha SCOBY in a culture medium that has been supplemented with sugar and tea extract. The linear density, tensile strength and strain of the BC bio-film and BC composites were assessed in order to determine the material’s degree of fitness in potential applications. The tensile test showed that BC bio-film and its jute composite had tensile strengths of 5 MPa and 10 MPa respectively, indicating notable resilience and durability as a feasible substitute for conventional construction materials. The study delves deeper into the sustainability, biodegradability, and economic feasibility of BC, emphasising its potential as an independent foundational material. The incorporation of jute fibres into BC enhances its capabilities, resulting in the development of a novel composite material known as BC + jute. This composite exhibits superior mechanical and psychochemical characteristics, making it suitable for the creation of sophisticated architectural prototypes. The results of this research establish a strong foundation for the advancement of ecologically conscious architectural solutions, demonstrating the feasibility and capacity of BC in promoting sustainability within the construction sector.Keywords: Microbial Cellulose, Scopy, Architecture, Environmental-friendly, sustainability, interior design, jute fiber, biomaterials.

Does the Amount of Pre-Sowing Nitrogen Fertilization Affect Sugar Beet Root Yield and Quality of Different Genotypes?

There has always been a specific focus on nitrogen fertilization in sugar beet production due to its important effect on sugar beet root yield and quality. For stable sugar beet growth and satisfactory root yield and quality, balanced N fertilization is crucial. Thus, this study aimed to investigate spring N fertilization in two seasons as the following treatments: N0—control, N1—only pre-sowing fertilization, and N2—pre-sowing with topdressing. Four different genotypes were included in the study (Serenada, Colonia, Fred, and Danton). The experiment was set up in a plain area, belonging to the temperate climate zone in Eastern Croatia (Županja and Vrbanja), with the long-term mean (LTM) (March–October) air temperature around 16 °C and the total precipitation of 515 mm. Pre-sowing N fertilization had a smaller impact on root yield in the year with higher precipitation (31% higher than LTM). Therefore, the average yields with pre-sowing fertilization (N1) and pre-sowing fertilization with top dressing (N2) were very similar and were only 7% higher than those of the control. In a season with less rainfall (29% less than LTM), pre-sowing fertilization with top dressing (N2) had a more pronounced effect on the increase in sugar beet root yield, which was 17% higher compared to that of the control treatment. The sugar beet sucrose content and quality parameters (brei impurities, loss of sugar in molasses, extractable sugar) differed when N fertilization was applied among locations in both seasons. The white sugar yield was the highest at N2 treatment with pre-sowing and topdressing N fertilization. In general, according to the average of all locations and years of research, the Serenada hybrid achieved the highest average root yield (81.1 t ha−1), while Colonia exhibited the highest root sugar content (14.5%) and white sugar yield (9.7 t ha−1).