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

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

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2003
Publication Date: 3/3/2004
Citation: Savary, B.J., Fishman, M.L., Hotchkiss, A.T., Liu, L.S., Hicks, K.B. Sustainable technologies and valuable new polysaccharide-based products from sugar beet pulp. Abstract for Sugar Processing Research Institute Conference, Atlanta, GA., April 4-7, 2004.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Efficient utilization of sugar beet pulp generated from beet sugar processing is critical for the economic viability of beet sugar production. Dried pulp pellet and shreds are a nutritious and valuable animal feed co-product for both local and export markets. However, the future of such markets is threatened by increased availability of distillers' dried grain solids from corn-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 that can be converted into higher-value biobased products. Such biorenewable products may replace imported and/or petroleum-based products and generate more revenue for growers and processors. Research in the Crop Conversion Science and Engineering Research Unit (www.arserrc.gov/ccse/) 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. Details of our specific objectives, capabilities, and accomplishments will be presented.