Powdered Activated Carbon Treatment of Sugar Beet Molasses for Liquid Invert Sugar Production: Effects of Storage Time and Temperatures

The aim of the study was to prepare liquid invert sugar from sugar beet dilute molasses by acidic hydrolysis and using powdered activated carbon (PAC) for purification. The effects of applied PAC concentrations (0.61, 0.78 and 1.12% PAC) at pH 4.5 were evaluated by tracking the changes in molasses quality attributes. Additionally, the impact of storage time (1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days) at different temperatures (4 and 25 °C) on color, turbidity, reducing sugars and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content in treated dilute molasses was investigated. The results showed that reducing sugars content increased during storage period regardless of applied PAC amount and storage temperatures. Consequently, the color was significantly raised during storage time and temperatures while lowest color was observed in sample with 1.12% PAC stored at 4 °C. Furthermore, after initial decrease in HMF and turbidity in the liquid invert sugar, an increase in corresponding parameters was noticed in higher or lesser extent depending on storage temperatures. Accordingly, it is suggested that the treatment with 1.12% PAC and storage at 4 °C is suitable for liquid invert sugar production.