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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Commodity Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #415993

Research Project: Improved Conversion of Sugar Crops into Food, Biofuels, Biochemicals, and Bioproducts

Location: Commodity Utilization Research

Title: Control of industrially relevant microbial isolates by antimicrobial agents: Implications for sugar factories

Author
item Bruni, Gillian
item Terrell, Evan
item Klasson, Kjell
item Qi, Yunci

Submitted to: Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Microbial isolates from raw sugar factories were tested for sensitivity to conventional and plant-based "biocides" to determine the smallest concentration needed to control growth. Hydritreat 2216 and sodium hypochlorite showed broad spectrum inhibition of all microbes, but sodium hypochlorite required twice the concentration of Hydritreat 2216. Hops BetaStab XL was effective against Gram-positive bacteria. Magna Cide D was more effective against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria tested. Based on laboratory experiments, factory losses of sucrose from a single microbial species in the absence of antimicrobials could range from 0.13 to 0.52 kg sucrose per tonne of cane. Additional improvements in sugar yield are anticipated from agents with broad spectrum activity. A cost analysis was conducted considering sucrose savings due to antimicrobial application to provide estimates for break-even costs, which ranged from approximately $0.50 to $2.00 per L for a given antimicrobial agent.

Technical Abstract: Microbial isolates from sugar crop processing facilities were tested for sensitivity to several industrial antimicrobial agents. Hydritreat 2216 showed broad spectrum activity against all bacterial isolates as well as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sodium hypochlorite showed broad spectrum activity against all isolates, but at much higher effective concentrations. Hops BetaStab XL was effective against the Gram-positive isolates. Magna Cide D inhibitory concentration was lowest for S. cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis but was less effective against Gram-positive bacterial strains. Based on laboratory experiments, factory losses of sucrose from a single microbial species in the absence of antimicrobials could range from 0.13 to 0.52 kg sucrose per tonne of cane. Additional improvements in sugar yield are anticipated from agents with broad spectrum activity. A cost analysis was conducted considering sucrose savings due to antimicrobial application to provide estimates for break-even costs, which ranged from approximately $0.50 to $2.00 per L for a given antimicrobial agent.