Sugar Molasses Research Articles

Suitability of pineapple, Aloe vera, molasses, glycerol, and office paper as substrates in the MixAlco process™

Abstract The MixAlco™ process biologically converts biomass to carboxylate salts that may be chemically converted to a wide variety of chemicals and fuels. This study looked at the viability of the following substrates: office paper, pineapple residue, Aloe vera rinds, wood molasses, sugar molasses, and glycerol. All agricultural substrates were initially tested to determine their carbohydrate and lignin content because lignin reduces substrate digestibility. Only pineapple residue had a high enough lignin content (18.3%) to necessitate pretreatment. Pineapple residue was treated with excess lime (300 g kg−1 Ca(OH)2 on dry biomass, t = 1 h) and then neutralized with CO2, which reduced the lignin content to 4.89%. All substrates were anaerobically fermented in batch culture with marine microorganisms for 24 days. The acid concentrations (g mixed acid L−1) were Aloe vera (25.5), office paper (24.0), glycerol (22.6), pineapple residue (17.2), wood molasses (19.4) and sugar molasses (18.9). The conversions (g volatile solids digested g−1 volatile solids fed) were Aloe vera (0.59), office paper (0.50), glycerol (0.62), pineapple residue (0.52), wood molasses (0.42) and sugar molasses (0.82). The selectivities (g acetic acid equivalents g−1 VS digested) were Aloe vera (0.64), office paper (0.62), glycerol (0.51), pineapple residue (0.39), wood molasses (0.61) and sugar molasses (0.33).

Production and Characterization of Cellulose by Acetobacter sp. V6 Using a Cost-Effective Molasses–Corn Steep Liquor Medium

In order to reduce of the manufacturing cost of bacterial cellulose (BC), BC production by Acetobacter sp. V6 was investigated in shaking culture using molasses and corn steep liquor (CSL) as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The highest BC production was obtained with Ca3(PO4)2-treated molasses. Maximum BC yield (2.21+/-0.04 g/l) was obtained at 5% (w/v) total sugar in molasses. In improved medium containing molasses and CSL, BC production was observed in the medium after 1 day of incubation and increased rapidly thereafter with maximum yield (3.12+/-0.03 g/l) at 8 days. This value was approximately twofold higher than the yield in the complex medium. Physical properties of BC from the complex and molasses media were studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer. By FT-IR, all the BC were found to be of cellulose type I, the same as typical native cellulose. The relative crystallinity of BC produced in the complex and molasses media were 83.02 and 67.27%, respectively. These results suggest that molasses and CSL can be useful low-cost substrates for BC production by Acetobacter sp. V6 without supplementation with expensive nitrogen complexes such as yeast extract and polypeptone, leading to the reduction in the production costs.

Phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation of sucrose by Clostridium tyrobutyricum ZJU 8235: Evidence for the phosphotransferase transport system

The uptake and metabolism of sucrose, the major sugar in industrial cane molasses, by Clostridium tyrobutyricum ZJU 8235 was investigated and this study provided the first definitive evidence for phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) activity in butyric acid-producing bacteria. Glucose was utilized preferentially to sucrose when both substrates were present in the medium. The PEP-dependent sucrose: PTS was induced by growing C. tyrobutyricum on sucrose (but not glucose) as the sole carbon source. Extract fractionation and PTS reconstitution experiments revealed that both soluble and membrane components were required for bioactivity. Sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase and fructokinase activities were also detected in sucrose-grown cultures. Based on these findings, a pathway of sucrose metabolism in this organism was proposed that includes the forming of sucrose-6-phosphate via the PTS and its further degradation into glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate.

Production of Bio-ethanol from Sugar Molasses Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the cheapest strain available for the conversion of biomass substrate. In the present study, it is used for bio-ethanol production from sugar molasses. The influencing parameters that affect the production of bio-ethanol from sugar molasses are optimized. The optimal values of the parameters such as temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration and fermentation period are found to be 35°C, 4.0, 300 gm/l, 2 gm/l and 72 h respectively. Under this optimum operating condition the maximum of 53% bio-ethanol yield is achieved. The rate of formation of bio-ethanol is found to be well fitted with Michael-Menten equation and the rate constants such as Vmax and Km are found to be 0.71 mol/l sec and 81.63 mol/l respectively.

Exploiting Pulsed Flows for Heating Improvement: Application to Determination of Total Reducing Sugars in Molasses and Sugar-Cane Juices

Laminar and pulsed flows typical of multi-commuted and multi-pumping flow systems, were evaluated in relation to analytical procedures carried out at high temperatures. As application, the spectrophotometric determination of total reducing sugars (TRS, hydrolyzed sucrose plus reducing sugars) in sugar-cane juice and molasses was selected. The method involves in-line hydrolysis of sucrose and alkaline degradation of the reducing sugars at about 98 °C. Better results were obtained with pulsed flows, due to the efficient radial mass transport inherent to the multi-pumping flow system. The proposed system presents favorable characteristics of ruggedness, analytical precision (r.s.d. < 0.013 for typical samples), stability (no measurable baseline drift during 4-h working periods), linearity of the analytical curve (r > 0.992, n = 5, 0.05 - 0.50% w/v TRS) and sampling rate (65 h-1). Results are in agreement with ion chromatography. Keywords: Multi-pumping flow analysis, Pulsed flow, Laminar flow, Heat transference, Total reducing sugars, Sugar-cane juice and molasses, Spectrophotometry

Influence of Sugar Beet Seed Treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Low Fungicide Doses on Infection with Pythium and Plant Yield and Quality

The effect of sugar beet seed inoculation with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and treatment with the fungicides Thiram 42-S and Dithane S-60 with and without seed inoculation aiming to control the root decay agents Pythium ultimum and Pythium debarianum was studied during a 2-year trial on two soil types (Mollic Gleysols and Eutric Cambisols). The influence of the treatments on parameters of sugar beet yield and quality such as root yield, sugar content, sugar in molasses, sugar yield as well as percentage of the infected and decayed plants as a consequence of parasitic oomycete infestation will be described.

Effect of bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and low fungicide dose seed treatments on parasite fungus Aphanomyces cochlioides and sugar beet yield and quality

Effect of sugar beet seed inoculation with a bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and treatment by fungicides Thiram&amp;nbsp;42-S and Dithane S-60 with and without seed inoculation aiming to control Aphanomyces cochlioides &amp;ndash; root decay agent was studied. The trial lasted for three years on two soil types (Mollic Gleysols and Eutric Cambisols). The following parameters of sugar beet yield and quality were investigated: root yield, sugar content, sugar in molasses, sugar yield as well as percentage of the infected and decayed plants as a consequence of parasite fungus infestation. The highest average sugar beet root yield was obtained in the variant of the seed treated with fungicide Thiram 42-S and inoculated with bacterium P. fluorescens (85.15 t/ha). However, there were no statistically significant differences (P &amp;lt; 0.05) between the above-mentioned variant and the one with seed inoculated only with bacterium P. fluorescens (84.63 t/ha). The highest mean sugar content of 16.39% was also accomplished during the three-year investigation in the variant of the inoculated seed treated by fungicide Thiram 42-S. All other variants accomplished statistically very significantly lower values of this parameter. The same variant was characterized by the highest mean sugar yield value (12.79 t/ha) on both soil types. Namely, an average sugar yield of the variants inoculated with bacteria was 11.22 t/ha and by 44.22% higher compared to an average yield of non-inoculated variants. The highest percent of the infected and decayed plants (average value on both soil types in the three year investigation) was reported in the control variant (28.92% infected and 25.00% decayed plants) whereas the lowest one was detected in the variant of the seed inoculated with bacterium P. fluorescens in combination with low dose of fungicide Thiram 42-S (4.70% infected plants and 2.88% decayed plants). An average percent of the infected plants inoculated with bacterium P.&amp;nbsp;fluorescens was 9.13% whereas the aforesaid value of the plants infected with parasitic fungus A. cochlioides in non-inoculated variants was by 146.00% higher being 22.42%.

Demineralisation for beet sugar solutions using an electrodialysis pilot plant to reduce melassigenic ions

Alkali metal cations were suspected of being highly melassigenic by holding sugar in molasses and preventing it from being recovered as crystalline sugar. An electrodialysis operation using a pilot plant equipped with an improved stack with a high alkali, temperature and organic resistance was conducted on Moroccan beet sugar syrup, juice and mother liquor B. The good performances of electrodialysis for each solution were shown. The quality of the three solutions was improved. On the basis of the running industrial conditions and on the electrodialysis results, a discussion was conducted concerning the better step to introduce electrodialysis.

Production of Cerebroside from Beet Molasses by the Yeast Saccharomyces kluyveri

Twenty-two strains classified as Saccharomyces kluyveri were grown on beet molasses as the principal carbon source to select a strain for the production of a glycosphingolipid cerebroside. Six strains accumulated relatively high amounts of cerebroside (> 0.40 mg [g dry weight]−1) and grew well in an Erlenmeyer flask. Thirty strains were isolated from single spores of strain CBS 4800 after sporulation and further tested for cerebroside contents. Strain SP-25 accumulated greater amounts than the parental strain (0.59 mg [g dry weight]−1) and was finally selected and cultured in a 5 L jar fermentor. In a comparison with a conventional baking strain of S. cerevisiae, the selected strain SP-25 propagated more rapidly in conjunction with depressed synthesis of ethanol. The amount of cerebroside produced from 1 kg of sugar in molasses was estimated to be 0.15 g. The constituents of cerebroside accumulated in the yeast cells were principally 2-hydroxystearic acid as a fatty acid, 9-methyl-trans-4, trans-8-sphingadienine as a sphingoid base, and glucose as a hexose.

Quality Evaluation of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris) by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The legal method (polarimetric measurement) for the determination of sucrose content and the wet chemical analysis for the quality control of sugar beet uses lead acetate. Because heavy metals are pollutants, the law could forbid their use in the future. Therefore, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a procedure to replace these methods. However, there are alternatives to lead clarification, such as the use of aluminum salts, which have been applied at many sugar companies. The real advantage of NIRS is in speed and ease of analysis. The aim of this study was to determine simultaneously the concentration of several components which define the industrial quality of beets. The first objective was the determination of sucrose content, which determines the sugar beet price. The standard error of prediction (SEP) was low: 0.11 g of sucrose/100 g of fresh beet. NIRS was also able to determine other beet quality parameters: brix, marc, glucose, nitrogen, sodium, potassium, sugar in molasses (i.e. sucrose in molasses), and juice purity. The results concerning brix, marc, sugar in molasses, and juice purity were satisfactory. NIRS accuracy was lower for the other parameters. Nevertheless, RPD (ratio standard deviation of concentration/SEP) and RER (ratio concentration range/SEP ratio) show that NIRS might be used for the sample screening on nitrogen, potassium, sodium, and glucose content.

Citric acid production by selected mutants of Aspergillus niger from cane molasses

The present investigation deals with citric acid production by some selected mutant strains of Aspergillus niger from cane molasses in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks. For this purpose, a conidial suspension of A. niger GCB-75, which produced 31.1 g/l citric acid from 15% (w/v) molasses sugar, was subjected to UV-induced mutagenesis. Among the 3 variants, GCM-45 was found to be a better producer of citric acid (50.0 ± 2a) and it was further improved by chemical mutagenesis using N-methyl, N-nitro- N-nitroso-guanidine (MNNG). Out of 3,2-deoxy- d-glucose resistant variants, GCMC-7 was selected as the best mutant, which produced 96.1 ± 1.5 g/l citric acid 168 h after fermentation of potassium ferrocyanide and H 2SO 4 pre-treated blackstrap molasses in Vogel’s medium. On the basis of kinetic parameters such as volumetric substrate uptake rate ( Q s), and specific substrate uptake rate ( q s), the volumetric productivity, theoretical yield and specific product formation rate, it was observed that the mutants were faster growing organisms and produced more citric acid. The mutant GCMC-7 has greater commercial potential than the parental strain with regard to citrate synthase activity. The addition of 2.0 × 10 −5 M MgSO 4 · 5H 2O into the fermentation medium reduced the Fe 2+ ion concentration by counter-acting its deleterious effect on mycelial growth. The magnesium ions also induced a loose-pelleted form of growth (0.6 mm, diameter), reduced the biomass concentration (12.5 g/l) and increased the volumetric productivity of citric acid monohydrate (113.6 ± 5 g/l).

Production of fructo-oligosaccharides from molasses by Aureobasidium pullulans cells

Three different strains of Aureobasidium pullulans were grown in batch cultures to compare their abilities for the production of fructo-oligosaccharides. Specific intracellular enzyme activity was the highest with strain KCCM 12017 and enzyme production was closely coupled to growth. Using A. pullulans cells, 166 g/l fructo-oligosaccharides was produced from 360 g/l molasses sugar as sucrose equivalent at 55 °C and pH 5.5 after 24 h incubation.

Effect of feeding an energy supplement to dairy cows pre- and postpartum on intake, milk yield, and incidence of ketosis

Seventy-five dry multiparous Holstein cows housed in a tie stall facility on a commercial dairy, were blocked and assigned randomly to treatments to evaluate the effect of feeding a dry energy supplement for 21 days prepartum and 21 days postpartum on animal performance. The energy supplement contained 45% beet pulp, 22% sugarcane molasses, 17% propylene glycol, and 16% calcium propionate (DM basis). The sugars in molasses were mainly glucose and sucrose. Forages and concentrates were fed separately and comprised 67 and 33% (DM basis), respectively, of the diet for dry cows and 46 and 54%, respectively, of the diet for lactating cows. In addition, each cow received 908 g per day of ground corn (85% DM; control), 454 g per day of ground corn and 454 g per day of the energy supplement (86% DM), or 908 g per day of the energy supplement on an as fed basis. Feeding the energy supplement had no effect on DM intake among dry or lactating cows, or effect on incidence of ketosis among lactating cows. Milk yield during week 1–4 postpartum by cows fed ground corn (43.9 kg per cow per day) was lower ( P=0.073) than by cows fed the diets containing the energy supplement at the low (46.3 kg per cow per day) and high levels (44.5 kg per cow per day). After the feeding of the energy supplement was discontinued after week 3, milk yield by cows previously fed the energy supplement at the low (53.4 kg per cow per day) and high levels (52.7 kg per cow per day) was greater ( P=0.006) than that by cows fed ground corn (50.1 kg per cow per day). Cows previously fed the energy supplement at either level also had higher yield of milk fat ( P=0.027) and protein ( P=0.061) than cows fed ground corn. Feeding an energy supplement containing beet pulp, sugarcane molasses, propylene glycol, and calcium propionate to Holstein cows improved milk yield, especially when fed at the low level.

Cultivation of the carotenoid-hyperproducing mutant 2A2N of the red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous ( Phaffia rhodozyma) with molasses

The carotenoid-hyperproducing mutant 2A2N of the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous ( Phaffia rhodozyma) was cultivated using sugar beet blackstrap molasses. This molasses was composed of 70% (w/v) total solid and 50% (w/v) total sugar. Biomass yield (biomass/carbohydrate) significantly decreased at >5% (v/v) molasses. Atomic emission spectrometry revealed that Na and P were the limiting nutrients when molasses was used. Molasses (5%, v/v) containing urea (30 g/ l molasses) and sodium phosphate (NaH 2PO 4, 5 g/ l molasses) was formulated for biomass production by the mutant. The optimal pH for carotenoid production was 4.9 during the growth phase and 2.6–3.5 during the stationary phase. The three main sugars in molasses (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) were assimilated by the mutant but fructose was consumed slowly. When the formulated medium with pH 4.5–5.5 was used, the maximal biomass yield was 36 g/ l (0.18 g of yeast l −1h −1 and 40 mg of carotenoid l −1) in fed-batch pilot-scale 100- l cultivation.

Mutation of Aspergillus niger for hyperproduction of citric acid from black strap molasses

Spore suspensions of Aspergillus niger GCB 75, which produced 31.1 g/l citric acid from 15% sugars in molasses, were subjected to u.v.-induced mutagenesis. Among three variants, GCM 45 was found to be the best citric acid producer and was further improved by chemical mutagenesis using NTG. Out of 3 deoxy-D-glucose-resistant variants, GCM 7 was selected as the best mutant which produced 86.1 ± 1.5 g/l citric acid after 168 h of fermentation of potassium ferricyanide + H2SO4-pretreated black strap molasses (containing 150 g sugars/l) in Vogel's medium. On the basis of comparison of kinetic parameters, namely the volumetric substrate uptake rate (Qs), and specific substrate uptake rate (qs), the volumetric productivity, theoretical yield and specific product formation rate, it was observed that the mutants were faster growing organisms and had the ability to overproduce citric acid.

Cultivation of the Carotenoid-Hyperproducing Mutant 2A2N of the Red Yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (Phaffia rhodozyma) with Molasses

The carotenoid-hyperproducing mutant 2A2N of the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (Phaffia rhodozyma) was cultivated using sugar beet blackstrap molasses. This molasses was composed of 70% (w/v) total solid and 50% (w/v) total sugar. Biomass yield (biomass/carbohydrate) significantly decreased at >5% (v/v) molasses. Atomic emission spectrometry revealed that Na and P were the limiting nutrients when molasses was used. Molasses (5%, v/v) containing urea (30 g/l molasses) and sodium phosphate (NaH2PO4, 5 g/l molasses) was formulated for biomass production by the mutant. The optimal pH for carotenoid production was 4.9 during the growth phase and 2.6-3.5 during the stationary phase. The three main sugars in molasses (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) were assimilated by the mutant but fructose was consumed slowly. When the formulated medium with pH 4.5-5.5 was used, the maximal biomass yield was 36 g/l (0.18 g of yeast l(-1)h(-1) and 40 mg of carotenoid l(-1)) in fed-batch pilot-scale 100-l cultivation.

Utilization of molasses and akalona hydrolyzate for continuous glycerol production in a packed bed bioreactor

Continuous glycerol fermentation of a by-product cane sugar molasses and wheat milling residues (akalona) was studied using sulfite as a combining agent with the aldehyde. Thus, a local yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be used under anaerobic conditions instead of glycerol production microorganisms (osmophilic yeast's) which need essentially aerobic conditions. The processes were performed in a vertical packed-bed reactor with yeast cells immobilized in agar gel. The influence of the dilution rate on the performance of the bioreactor was studied. The substrate and product concentration profiles along the column height are presented. A kinetic study has been used to identify the rate controlling step(s).

Production of alcohol from sugar beet molasses without heat or filter sterilization

Among three esters of p-hydroxybenzoate, n-butyl p-hydroxybenzoate was selected as the best antimicrobial substance. Molasses medium sterilized by this ester was used as a substrate for ethanol production. n-Butyl p-hydroxybenzoate (0.15% w/v) completely inhibited the growth of free yeast cell inoculum, Ca-alginate immobilized yeast inoculum and bacterial contaminants. Immobilization of the yeast cell inoculum in Ca-alginate with castor oil (6% v/v) offered a yeast cell protection against the inhibitory effect of n-butyl p-hydroxybenzoate. The presence of castor oil in this immobilization system did not affect the metabolic activity of the yeast in beads compared to the cells immobilized without castor oil. The yeast cell beads in this system completely utilized up to 25% molasses sugar with an ethanol yield of 10.58%, equal to 83% of its theoretical value. The beads were stable and could be used successfully for seven cycles of batch fermentation. The optimum fermentation temperature using this system was 35°C.

Neutron activation analysis of final molasses from Cuban sugar industry

Thermal and epithermal non-destructive activation analyses have been performed on samples of final molasses from 14 different sugar factories, covering the most important regions in Cuba. From the first measurement after irradiation at the Triga Mark reactor (VTT), the concentration of more than 15 elements is reported. The almost constant elemental composition shows that they can be used equally for different purposes as animal foodstuff and for the manufacture of biotechnological products. This work is part of a research project developed in order to establish a complete characterization of Cuban sugar molasses.

The pollution profile of alcohol distilleries treating beet sugar molasses

Fermentation of molasses and refining the produced alcohol by distillation is a common agroindustrial activity. The wastewaters originating from the process, especially the spent mash, are highly concentrated and contain TDS of over 50,000 mg/l as well as organic matter. Character of wastewaters varies with production application which affects the treatability characteristics. In this study four alcohol distillery plants treating beet sugar molasses are investigated to assess production applications and wastewater characteristics. Process profiles for three major modes of operation are prepared. Use of open steam and recycle of spent mash was calculated to affect the wastewater volume up to 25%. COD load is found to be practically unchanged with recycle while TDS increased significantly. Nature of COD and treatability characteristics are also expected to vary with recycle.