[Image: Snapshot of 3-D characterization of sugar solutions]Principal Investigator:
Ben Legendre, Professor and Interim Head, Audubon Sugar Institute
Co-PIs:
Peter Rein, Professor, Audubon Sugar Institute
Lee Madsen, Research Associate, Audubon Sugar Institute
Abstract:
Audubon Sugar Institute is conducting research toward production of white sugar directly in a raw sugar mill, eliminating the sugar refining step, by application of ion-exchange technology to remove color. However, compounds responsible for color in cane juice and in sugar (chromophores) are complex. Initial work has looked at characterizing chromophores on the basis of their molecular weight and their light-absorbing properties.
It is now clear that a better and more comprehensive system for measuring different colorant molecules is required. Toward this end, it is desirable to characterize fully the natural and artificially produced chromophores present in sugarcane juice and downstream products. Some colorants form complexes with polysaccharides.
Audubon Sugar Institute proposes to share resources with the LSU Department of Chemistry. This should enable the application of modern separation science and analytical techniques to identify the discrete classes of chromophoric compounds. These include:
- Natural colorants present in the cane juice
- Products of enzymatic phenolase activity
- Color bodies formed in the processing of sugar juice, including products of Maillard reaction, caramelization and alkaline decomposition
This work should lead to substantial benefits for the Louisiana sugar industry. Direct white sugar production would improve the profitability of existing mills, capturing the white sugar premium of about 3 cents/pound (equivalent to $96 million/year) and encourage the industry to expand. Financial support from the industry has been obtained in the past and is again committed to this project. The involvement and interest of the Louisiana sugar industry will ensure rapid transfer of results of this project to the industry.