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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Commodity Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #255727

Title: General Subject 4, Molasses

Author
item Eggleston, Gillian

Submitted to: Technical Report
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2010
Publication Date: 4/1/2011
Citation: Eggleston, G. 2011. General Subject 4, Molasses. In: Report of Proceedings of the Twenty-Seventh ICUMSA Session, July 1-3, 2010, Berlin, Germany. Berlin, Germany: Verlag Dr. Albert Bartens KG. p. 57-64.

Interpretive Summary: A report is given on the lastest international trends in the analysis of molasses for trade and processing, as well as recommendations for methods to study. Enzymatic methods to measure reducing sugars and mannitol in molasses are discussed. There is currently a strong concern, worldwide, for the replacement of unsafe lead acetate (a chemical) in the measurement of pol (sucrose) in molasses. Possible replacement clarification aids are discussed.

Technical Abstract: A report is given on the lastest international trends in the analysis of molasses for trade and processing, as well as recommendations for methods to study. A new enzymatic method to measure reducing sugars in molasses still needs work to stabilize the enzymes. There is a strong concern, worldwide, for the replacement of unsafe lead acetate in the measurement of pol (sucrose) in molasses. Possible replacement clarification aids include aluminium compounds, Carrez reagents, commercially available reagents such as OctapolTM, diatomaceous earth filter aids with high pressure filtration. Indirect measurement of pol sucrose by NIR spectroscopy is also discussed. A new enzymatic method to measure mannitol, a degradation product of deteriorated sugarcane and sugar beet, is also reported.