Thesis Archive
A Membrane Based Study on the Performance of Ultrafiltration Polysulfone Hollow Fiber Membrane in the Enrichment of Polyphenols From Dilute Sugarcane Molasses (2014-2015)
Gerald Aaron Sy Ang
Edmar Dacuya Bernadas
Cedrick See Ong
Abstract:
-“Molasses is a valuable by-product in the sugar industry. Certain studies show that there is potential in this by-product as it contains bioactive antioxidants such as polyphenols. In fact, sugarcane molasses has the highest polyphenol content among sugarcane products which is about 36.4 mg per 100 gram of molasses (Almeida et al., 2011). Because of this, the researchers view molasses as an important compound/product that has a wide scope of potential applications (e.g. alternative to synthetic food antioxidants, as supported by the study of Phillips, Carlsen, & Blomhoff (2009)). There are different technologies that can purify polyphenols from molasses solution. In this study, membrane technology would be utilized due to its high efficiency, simple equipment, convenient operation, and low energy consumption (Conidi, Cassano & Drioli, 2011). In this work, the study aims to investigate the feasibility of using ultra-filtration polysulphone hollow fiber membrane as a pre-treatment for the enrichment of polyphenols from dilute sugarcane molasses. Along with it, the effect of transmembrane pressure on flux, phenolic content, and suspended solids content was also studied. The molasses studied in this work was obtained from Central Azucarera de Tarlac. The process of the study varied the transmembrane pressure and then observed the physico-chemical properties resulting from the permeates and concentrates of the employed UF system. The research was able to conclude that the best transmembrane pressure to employ in the UF system described lies between 10 psi and 15 psi as it provided the best flux. The study was also able to validate the effectiveness of the UF membrane in clarifying the dilute molasses solution from suspended solids, while retaining substantial amount of polyphenols. With that, the study presents commercial interest for industries such as food and pharmaceutics.”
Adviser:
Dr. Michelle Caravana Almendrala