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

• Published in: Chemistry of natural compounds Vol. 44; no. 5; pp. 552 - 555
• Main Authors: Nuissier, G, Bourgeois, P, Fahrasmane, L, Grignon-Dubois, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Boston : Springer US 2008; Springer US; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: acetates; aldehydes; beta-sitosterol; byproducts; campesterol; chemical composition; distillation; fatty alcohols; fermentation; food processing; free fatty acids; ketones; ketosteroids; landfills; Life Sciences; manufacturing; Medicine; molasses; oleic acid; Organic Chemistry; palmitates; Pharmacy; Plant Sciences; raw materials; rum; stigmasterol; sugarcane; triacylglycerols; waxes; molasses; sugarcane wax; distillery; chemical composition; vinasses (wastewaters); Vinasses; Chemical composition; Molasses; Sugarcane wax
• ISSN: 0009-3130; 1573-8388
• DOI: 10.1007/s10600-008-9150-8

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 (C₂₃-C₃₃) and ethyl and methyl esters of fatty acids (palmitate and oleate are the predominant), of phytosterols (stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, campesterol), free fatty acids (C₁₂:₀-C₃₆:₀), and triglycerides constitute the main components. In addition, 2-ketones (C₂₇-C₃₃), aldehydes (C₂₈, C₃₂, C₃₄), ketosteroids (derivatives of stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and campesterol), and fatty alcohol acetates (alcohol moiety: C₂₈, C₃₀, C₃₂) were found as minor products.