Using frozen sugarcane for alcohol production

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Sugar Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7045875

Irvine, J E

The three areas that produce sugarcane in the mainland US are subject to crop-damaging freezes. Florida has fewer freezes. Texas and Louisiana are hurt frequently. Hard freezes end processing for sugar production when dextrans form and prevent crystallization. Dextran is formed from sugar by bacteria. Work at the Audubon Sugar Institute, LSU, has shown that crystallization of sucrose can be achieved with juice from frozen sugarcane when enzymes are used to reduce the size of the dextran molecule. Frozen cane may also be processed for alcohol production. How long the cane would be suitable as feedstock was questioned; its use would depend on sugar content. Sugarcane has been tested for post-freeze deterioration at the US Sugarcane Field Laboratory for over 50 years, and the emphasis has been on the response of varieties selected for sugar production in post-freeze deterioration. The data indicated that juice from frozen sugarcane in any of the tests would be adequate for alcohol production; fermentation based on mash with a sugar content of 9 to 11% for rum, and 15% for industrial alcohol. Total fermentable carbohydrates in frozen cane would be even higher since the data did not include invert sugars or starch. 1 table. (DP)

• OSTI ID: 7045875
• Journal Information: Sugar Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Sugar Bull.; (United States) Vol. 58:13; ISSN SUBUA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090222* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
ALCOHOLS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOSYNTHESIS
BLOOD SUBSTITUTES
CARBOHYDRATES
CRYSTALLIZATION
DEXTRAN
DISACCHARIDES
ENZYMES
ETHANOL
FERMENTATION
FLORIDA
FREEZING
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LOUISIANA
NORTH AMERICA
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SACCHAROSE
SOUTHEAST REGION
SOUTHWEST REGION
SUGAR CANE
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TEXAS
USA
WEATHER