Sugar beet molasses quality enhancement through treatment with modified sugar beet pulp

The significant sugar beet molasses amount generation (4−5% on beet) in the sugar production
process and consequently sucrose loss represent every year struggle for the sugar producers.
Over the past years, different processes were established in order to tackle the problem of
sucrose recovery by molasses desugarization. The possibilities for further enhancement of the
corresponding processes are enabled through non-sugars separation by adsorption based pretreatments
under appropriate conditions. In this respect, industrial by-products utilization as
adsorbents gained attention due to the low-cost, easy handling and favourable sorption
properties. Considering successful application of sugar beet pulp in metals and dyes adsorption,
the presented study aims to investigate the adsorption performance of chemically modified
sugar beet pulp in molasses purification. Box-Behnken experimental design was applied in
order to assess the influence of 3 independent parameters: pH (3−7), molasses dry substance
(30−50°Brix) and modified sugar beet pulp concentration (9−21 g/L) on molasses colour,
turbidity and sucrose content. The applied parameters significance was determined by response
surface methodology. Among the examined parameters, pH was established as a parameter of
great significance regarding changes in molasses colour, turbidity and sucrose content. Applied
neutral conditions (pH 7) were adequate for reaching maximal molasses colour and turbidity
reduction alongside with minimal changes in the molasses sucrose content. The influence of
other independent parameters on molasses quality was negligible. According to the obtained
results, molasses pre-treatment with modified sugar beet pulp could improve the molasses
desugarization process and contribute to the increase in sucrose yield. Furthermore, sugar beet
pulp utilisation in this respect would contribute to the development of sustainable waste
managing method inside the sugar factories.