ARS | Publication request: Physico-chemical characterization of a cellulosic fraction from sugar beet pulp

Submitted to: Cellulose
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 14, 2011
Publication Date: May 1, 2011
Citation: Fishman, M., Chau, H.K., Coffin, D.R., Cooke, P.H., Qi, P.X., Yadav, M.P., Hotchkiss, A.T. 2011. Physico-chemical characterization of a cellulosic fraction from sugar beet pulp. Cellulose. 18(3):787-801.

Interpretive Summary: The need to increase utilization of low valued co-products derived from the processing of sugar beets has prompted us to investigate the structure of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) made from cellulose in sugar beet pulp (SBP). SBP is derived from the remains of sugar beets after the extraction of sugar. In this work we developed a method of rapidly extracting two other valuable polysaccharides from SBP prior to converting the remaining cellulose into CMC. Physical characterization has revealed that the CMC that was obtained from SBP, a sustainable source, is equal to or better than some CMCs commercially available. This research should be of help to sugar beet growers and processors by increasing the demand and value of their by-products without increasing the cost of sugar to the consumer.

Technical Abstract: The residue of sugar beet pulp from which pectin and alkaline soluble polysaccharides have been removed by microwave assisted extraction (MAE) or conventional heat was treated with sodium monochloroacetate under alkaline pH to convert the residual cellulose present to carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC). Weight average molar masses ranged from about 96 to 220 x 103 Daltons, weight average intrinsic viscosity from 1.9 to 4.1 dl/g and degree of substitution from 1.38 to 0.59. HPSEC with online molar mass detectors and Atomic Force Microscopy revealed that CMC was comprised of aggregated linear moieties in contact with spherical bodies. The linear portion was a mixture of rods and segmented rods. Some of the rods had long branches.