Evaluation of vinasses from sugarcane molasses distillation as a new source of sugarcane wax

Abstract

Molasses, a by-product of sugar manufacturing, are the most common raw material for rum manufacturing. During the fermentation and distillation process, vinasses are produced in large quantities and disposed in landfills. In this study, they were evaluated as a new source of sugarcane wax. The chemical composition of the wax was studied by GC-Mass spectroscopy. A series of n-alkanes (C 23 -C 33 ) and ethyl and methyl esters of fatty acids (palmitate and oleate are the predominant), of phytosterols (stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, campesterol), free fatty acids (C 12:0 -C 36:0 ), and triglycerides constitute the main components. In addition, 2-ketones (C 27 -C 33 ), aldehydes (C 28 , C 32 , C 34 ), ketosteroids (derivatives of stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and campesterol), and fatty alcohol acetates (alcohol moiety: C 28 , C 30 , C 32 ) were found as minor products.Crude rum is produced by fermenting and distilling sugarcane juice or, most often, molasses, which are the residues of sugarcane processing. During this process, a wastewater called vinasses (or spent wash, distillery slops) is produced in huge quantities. Depending on the cane quality and the industrial process, approximately 20 L of vinasses are released per liter of pure alcohol [1]. Vinasses from molasses are the most difficult products to dispose because of their low pH, dark brown color, high ash content, and high percentage of dissolved organic and inorganic matter [2]. In addition to its nauseating odor, this residue, when carelessly released, significantly pollutes the natural environment, particularly rivers [3].Currently, methanation [4] and physical treatments (incineration, sewage farming) are possible methods of reuse. Sugarcane wax has always been a matter of interest due to its industrial applications, in particular in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries [5]. In the present work, we described the extraction and the chemical composition of sugarcane wax obtained from a new raw material: vinasses from sugarcane molasses.The waxy material obtained with chloroform was chromatographed on silica gel, leading to 5 main fractions (I-V). Each of them was analyzed by NMR in order to determine the main class components, R f values, and chemical compositions (determined by GC/MS see Table 1). Yields are calculated from the mass of the dried solid extract.The NMR spectrum of fraction I showed the typical pattern for n-alkanes [4.5%; R f 0.65 (heptane/CH 2 Cl 2 :8/2)]. Its composition was determined by GC and compared with authentic standards (Table 1). Odd and even n-alkanes ranging from C 23 to C 33 were found, with C 27 being the major component (25.3%). The significant amounts of even alkanes C 24 (10.1%), C 26 (13.1%) and C 28 (6.4 %) can be pointed out. These values are in agreement with literature for sugarcane cuticle waxes [6].Free n-fatty acids [(fraction V; 8.2% in crude wax, R f 0.32 (CH 2 Cl 2 /AcOEt:7/3)], fatty acid esters [fraction II; R f 0.85 (heptane/CH 2 Cl 2 :5/5) FAE -4%, ketosteroids -2%], and triglycerides [fraction III; 2.4...

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Clash of Kingdoms: How Do Bacterial Contaminants Thrive in and Interact with Yeasts during Ethanol Production?

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