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Title: SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES AND VALUABLE NEW POLYSACCHARIDE-BASED PRODUCTS FROM SUGAR BEET PULP

Author
item Savary, Brett
item Hicks, Kevin
item Fishman, Marshall
item Hotchkiss, Arland
item Liu, Linshu

Submitted to: Sugar Processing Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2004
Publication Date: 8/1/2004
Citation: Savary, B.J., Hicks, K.B., Fishman, M.L., Hotchkiss, A.T., Liu, L.S. 2004. Sustainable technologies and valuable new polysaccharide-based products from sugar beet pulp. Sugar Processing Research Conference Proceedings of the Sugar Processing Research Institute Conference, p.80-86.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: More effective utilization of sugar beet pulp generated from beet sugar processing can improve the economic viability of U.S. beet sugar production. Dried pulp pellet and shreds provide a nutritious and valuable animal feed co-product from pulp for both local and export markets. However, the future of such markets may be threatened by increased availability of alternative feed materials from grain-based bioethanol production and customer concern for beet pulp derived from genetically modified plants that are being developed and pending commercial release. Beet pulp represents a largely untapped source of cell wall polysaccharides such as pectin that can be recovered and converted into higher-value biobased products. New biobased products are therefore sought from beet pulp to generate more revenue for growers and processors and to replace imported and/or petroleum-based products. Research on our CRIS (Official ARS/USDA Research) project is being conducted toward developing fundamental knowledge of the enzyme and polysaccharide components of the sugar beet cell wall; creating innovative new functional food, feed, and non-food biomedical and industrial bioproducts; and establishing efficient and sustainable conversion processes for their isolation and production. Our specific objectives, capabilities, and accomplishments are summarized in this report.