Abstract: A tien-cha extract essence characterized by being obtained by subjecting a tien-cha extract to an activated carbon treatment, and a method for producing a fermented food product using the tien-cha extract essence provide a technique which can be replaced for a tien-cha essence obtained by subjecting a tien-cha extract to electrodialysis having various problems, has no effect on flavor while maintaining the effects of the tien-cha extract of increasing the growth ability of lactic acid bacteria and the viability or the like of bifidobacterium bacteria, has an unprecedented effect of increasing the growth ability of bifidobacterium bacteria, and facilitates production and powderization.

Abstract: A process for the removal of contaminants from a liquor, including two or more of carbonatation, phosphatation and sulphitation of the liquor to form a precipitate having at least some of the contaminants from the liquor, and separating the precipitate from the liquor. The processes may be included in sugar refining or water decontamination processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and processes for improving the clarification of sugar juices and syrups in sugar mills. The process involves adding compositions directly to the juice and or syrup. The compositions provided in this invention are mixed intimately into the sugar juices or syrups, and allowed sufficient time to react with the sugar juices or syrups as well as with the any other chemicals added in the clarification processes so as to impart an improvement in the purity of the clarified juice or syrup obtained therefrom.

Abstract: An efficient process for saccharifying lignocellulosic biomass in concentrated aqueous solutions of certain bromine salts, particularly LiBr and CaBr2. Real lignocellulose biomass, such as corn stover, switchgrass, waste paper, hardwood, and softwood, can be hydrolyzed without the need for any prior pretreatment. Complete saccharification of both cellulose and hemicellulose is achieved within 5-200 min at temperatures ranging from about 100 to about 160° C. Residual lignin is readily separated from product sugars by filtration or centrifugation and can be used to prepare beneficial coproducts. The bromine salt can be recovered and separated from product sugars (predominantly monosaccharides) by any art-known method and in particular solvent extraction, anti-solvent precipitation, ion-exclusion chromatography and/or ion-exchange chromatography can be employed. Hydrolysis product containing sugars can be employed for in fermentation for the production of value added products or useful fuels.

Abstract: This specification discloses a process for the removal of solids and non-sugar components from a pre-treated lignocellulosic biomass stream by the precipitation of the non-sugar components with preferably barium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide. The precipitation removes the non-sugar components and some salts, leaving the glucose and xylose and other sugars in the liquid stream for further processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing sugar from sugarcane. The method consists of steps of dosing biocides on sugarcane during cane preparation and milling to kill about 90% of microbes; heating juice, obtained from a mill to 70° C.; subsequently, neutralizing the juice; subsequent to the neutralizing step, heating the neutralized juice to about 105° C.; subsequent to the neutralizing step, passing the heated neutralized juice through clarifiers or settling tanks; concentrating the neutralized juice by evaporating to boil-off water from the neutralized juice to obtain syrup of the neutralized juice having about 60% solids; crystallizing the syrup, obtained in the concentrating step, to obtain a liquor; separating the sugar from the liquor obtained in the crystallizing step; and washing and drying the sugar obtained in the separating step. The sugar thus produced is about neutral and contains substantially zero amount of sulfur.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining white sugar from cane juice, characterized in that it involves: obtaining sugar colors of between 300 and 150 ICUMSA units, with a sulphite content no greater than 5 ppm and an ash content no greater than 0.2% in the case of white sugar and in the case of refined sugar with colors less than 40 UI, less than 5 ppm sulphites and less than 0.04% ash, using fewer chemical products and devices and comprising the formation of reducing sugars; as well as optimizing the production time, reducing deterioration, making the process and the chemical products more efficient and preventing SO2 contamination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing sugar, which short-circuits at least one sulfitation step and utilizes means for minimizing microbe/microorganism activity and reducing the impurities in the sugar.

Abstract: A process system that uses a reduced amount of lime or other base to clarify or purify juice or other process liquid (1) obtained from plant material (2) such as sugar cane, sugar beets, or sweet sorghum. Specifically, apparatus and methods to reduce volatile materials in juice or other process liquid (1) to increase pH requiring the use of less lime or other base to achieve the desired pH values for clarification or purification in subsequent steps, such as preliming (33).

Abstract: A process system that uses a reduced amount of lime or other base to clarify or purify juice obtained from plant material such as sugar cane, sugar beets, or sweet sorghum. Specifically, apparatus and methods to reduce volatile materials in juice providing a product that has an increased pH requiring the use of less lime or other base to achieve the desired pH values for clarification or purification.

Abstract: A process for the production of liquid sugar by forming a sugar solution of water and natural sugar containing juice, adjusting the pH of a sugar solution to the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 to obtain an inverted juice, filtering the inverted juice, decolorizing the inverted juice to obtain sugar syrup, demineralizing the sugar syrup, evaporating the demineralized sugar syrup, and cooling the sugar syrup to form the liquid sugar.

Abstract: A process for the production of liquid sugar by forming a sugar solution of water and natural sugar containing juice, adjusting the pH of a sugar solution to the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 to obtain an inverted juice, filtering the inverted juice, decolorizing the inverted juice to obtain sugar syrup, demineralizing the sugar syrup, evaporating the demineralized sugar syrup, and cooling the sugar syrup to form the liquid sugar.

Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.

Abstract: A process system that uses a reduced amount of lime or other base to clarify or purify juice obtained from plant material such as sugar cane, sugar beets, or sweet sorghum. Specifically, apparatus and methods to reduce volatile materials in juice providing a product that has an increased pH requiring the use of less lime or other base to achieve the desired pH values for clarification or purification.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing crystallized sugar from an aqueous sugar solution containing colorants, polyvalent cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions and possibly polyvalent anions, said process comprising the step of submitting said solution to a crystallization procedure to obtain a crystallized sugar, the process being characterized in that, in order to decrease the occlusion of colorants in the crystals of said crystallized sugar, it further comprises the step of treating said solution so as to increase the number of polyvalent anion equivalents such as adding COB− anions with regard to the number of polyvalent cation equivalents in said solution.

Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from beets includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained from macerated sugar beets, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from cane includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained from macerated sugar cane, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: A process for producing sugar from beets includes the step of filtering a sucrose-containing feed juice, which has been obtained by diffusion from sliced sugar beets, through a first ultrafiltration membrane that has a first molecular weight cutoff. This ultrafiltration step produces a first ultrafiltration permeate and a first ultrafiltration retentate. The first ultrafiltration permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane that has a second molecular weight cutoff that is lower than the first molecular weight cutoff. This second ultrafiltration step produces a second ultrafiltration permeate and a second ultrafiltration retentate. The second ultrafiltration permeate is nanofiltered through a nanofiltration membrane, thereby producing a nanofiltration permeate and a nanofiltration retentate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing sugar from cane that includes the steps of: (a) grinding sugar cane or pieces thereof into pulp; (b) mechanically separating juice from the pulp; and (c) membrane filtering the separated juice, for example through a ultrafiltration membrane, producing a retentate and a permeate. Preferably in step (a), the cane is cut into pieces having an average fiber length of less than 10 millimeters, more preferably into pieces having an average fiber length of less than 5 mm with a fiber diameter of about 200 microns or less. The mechanical separation of juice from cane pieces can be done suitably by filtration or centrifugation. It is preferred to adjust the pH of the separated juice to at least about 7 prior to membrane filtration, more preferably to at least about 7.5, for example by adding lime or sodium hydroxide. The permeate can be evaporated and crystallized by conventional means to produce white sugar.

Abstract: A process for purifying cane sugar from an aqueous composition thereof comprises the steps of (a) contacting an aqueous cane sugar feed composition with sufficient lime to increase the pH of the composition to at least about 9.5; (b) filtering the composition through a membrane having a pore size no greater than about 0.5 microns and having a molecular weight cutoff no less than about 5 kD, thereby producing a retentate and a permeate; and (c) contacting the permeate with sufficient carbon dioxide, or other materials designed to precipitate calcium and lower the pH, to adjust the pH to about 6.5-9.0. The feed composition preferably is cane juice, cane syrup, an aqueous composition of raw sugar, a cane sugar refinery stream, or a mixture of one or more such materials.

Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.

Abstract: A process for purifying cane sugar from an aqueous composition thereof comprises the steps of (a) contacting an aqueous cane sugar feed composition with sufficient lime to increase the pH of the composition to at least about 9.5; (b) filtering the composition through a membrane having a pore size no greater than about 0.5 microns and having a molecular weight cutoff no less than about 5 kD, thereby producing a retentate and a permeate; and (c) contacting the permeate with sufficient carbon dioxide, or other materials designed to precipitate calcium and lower the pH, to adjust the pH to about 6.5-9.0. The feed composition preferably is cane juice, cane syrup, an aqueous composition of raw sugar, a cane sugar refinery stream, or a mixture of one or more such materials.

Abstract: Diffusion juice of a sugar plant is heated under stable sucrose conditions, notably alkaline pH, and held above 70.degree. C. for sufficient duration to effect significant agglomeration. The agglomerated particulates are removed by phase separation procedures, leaving a clarified juice containing a very low, typically 0.1-0.5 volume percent, solids load.

Abstract: A process is described for clarifying a crude inulin extract by ultrafiltration and separating an aqueous inulin solution containing carbohydrates having a range of degrees of polymerization into fractions having different average degrees of polymerization which comprises subjecting an aqueous inulin solution to ultrafiltration through a membrane having a predetermined pore size whereby inulin fractions having average degrees of polymerization less than a predetermined value pass through said membrane as permeate and inulin fractions having average degrees of polymerization greater than said predetermined value are collected as retentate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for decolorization of solutions of sugars, sugar alcohols and betaine. In accordance with the process, a polyaluminium chloride is added to a solution of sugar, sugar alcohol or betaine having a dry substance content of 10 to 70% by weight and a temperature of 60 to 105.degree. C. in a suitable amount so as to obtain a mixture having a pH of 5.5 to 9.5, thereby precipitating the coloured substances, and the formed precipitate is separated from the solution. The invention also relates to the use of a polyaluminium chloride for decolorization of solutions of sugars, sugar alcohols and betaine.

Abstract: This invention relates to the coprocessing of raw sugar and molasses ion exclusion product, optionally with added sugar beet diffusion juice, to enhance the recovery of sugar. In a preferred method, raw cane sugar is melted in limed water, prior to its addition to ion excluded juice.

Abstract: Methods for the purification of sugar solutions using hydrolyzed polyacrylamides as flocculants are herein described. The hydrolyzed polyacrylamides are prepared from emulsion or microemulsion polymerization of acrylamide monomer, and subsequently hydrolyzed to a degree of hydrolysis of about 10 to about 50 mole %. The hydrolyzed polyacrylamides have a molecular weight of at least about 10,000,000.

Abstract: A process for refining a raw sugar, particularly raw sugar from the sugar cane sugar industry, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:(a) remelting of the raw sugar for obtaining a raw sugar syrup,(b) carbonatation or phosphatation of said raw sugar syrup, and(c) tangential microfiltration and/or tangential ultrafiltration of the raw sugar syrup, which has been subjected to carbonatation or phosphatation.The process is completed by the steps of:(d) decolorization of the sugar syrup resulting from step (c), and(e) crystallization and/or demineralization of the sugar syrup resulting from step (d).

Abstract: A pulp of milled agave plant heads are liquified during centrifugation and a polyfructose solution is removed and then concentrated to produce a polyfructose concentrate. Small particulates are removed by centrifugation and/or filtration and colloids are removed using termic coagulation techniques to produce a partially purified polyfructose extract substantially free of suspended solids. The polyfructose extract is treated with activated charcoal and cationic and anionic resins to produce a demineralized, partially hydrolyzed polyfructose extract. This partially hydrolyzed polyfructose extract is then hydrolyzed with inulin enzymes to produce a hydrolyzed fructose extract. Concentration of the fructose extract yields a fructose syrup.

Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.

Abstract: An efficient method for manufacturing a purified juice product from sugar beets. Untreated beet juice is initially prelimed using lime and CaCO.sub.3 to produce a prelimed juice product. Instead of subjecting the prelimed product to main liming and dual carbonation stages, the product is delivered to a porous filtration membrane which allows sugar molecules to pass therethrough which preventing the passage of solid matter and dissolved impurities. Optimum results are achieved if the prelimed product flows across the membrane from end to end. The membrane permeate is thereafter combined with CO.sub.2(g) in a single carbonation stage to remove dissolved lime. This step generates a purified juice product which can be processed to manufacture pure crystalline sugar. The membrane retentate can be combined with water and refiltered to collect residual sugar materials. The foregoing process uses less energy and raw materials (e.g. lime) compared with conventional methods.

Abstract: Method for producing sugar, characterized in that a polyether ionophore abiotic is used to suppress gram positive bacteria growth during the process.

Abstract: Unwanted color and turbidity are removed from sugar solutions during the processing of raw sugar by the use of bagasse treated with a dialkylaminoalkyl compound in a basic aqueous medium, and with regenerated treated bagasse, including sugarcane bagasse, corn cobs, peanut shells, wheat straw, oat straw, barley straw, rice straw, rice hulls, cottonseed hulls and paper from wood or cotton or mixtures of the foregoing.

Abstract: A beet juice treatment method in which reaction products are recycled. Beet juice is first prelimed with lime and CaCO.sub.3 to produce first and second juice fractions. The second fraction contains flocculated materials, and is combined with CO.sub.2. Solid flocs and calcium carbonate reaction products are removed from the second fraction. The second fraction and first fraction are then recombined to produce a third juice fraction which is combined with lime in a main liming stage for additional purification. The third fraction is then supplied with additional CO.sub.2 to generate a CaCO.sub.3 sludge product. The sludge product is divided into first and second portions. The first portion is reused in the preliming stage. The second portion is converted to regenerated lime for reuse in the main liming stage and possibly the preliming stage. These steps reduce waste production and provide economic benefits.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for softening and purifying molasses or syrup to obtain a clarified syrup that can then easily be handled by conventional ion-exclusion or other techniques for recovery of sugar. The process comprises steps that can be performed at ambient temperature. The molasses or syrup is carbonated at high pH, followed by adding organic solvent(s) such as ethanol. The sludge and liquid phases are separated. The solvent is then recovered, leaving a liquid phase comprising a soft and very clear sugar-containing liquid. The liquid phase may then be used in known systems for sugar recovery such as ion-exclusion chromatographic systems. Organic acids such as aconitic acid may be recovered from the sludge residue.

Abstract: A method of producing sugar through the recycling of a carbonation scum produced after a first carbonation of a sugar juice treated with a lime milk comprises separating the scum after the first carbonation. The scum-free sugar juice is then filtered for producing sugar. An amount of the separated scum is diluted with water. After diluting, the pH of the diluted scum is adjusted, and a thick portion of the amount of the scum is separated and activated. The activated thick portion of the scum is then recycled for introduction with a sugar juice.

Abstract: A non-toxic composition, and method, for the clarification of raw sugar-containing juices, especially sugar cane juice, and related products, for analysis. A composition constituted of A) aluminum chloride hydroxide, B) lime and C) activated bentonite, bentonite containing calcium aluminum silicate, and preferably also a polymeric flocculating agent, has been found highly effective as a reagent for the clarification of sugar-containing juices, notably sugar cane juice, and related products.

Abstract: A non-toxic composition, and method, for the clarification of raw sugar-containing juices, especially sugar cane juice, and related products, for analysis. A composition constituted of A) aluminum chloride hydroxide, B) lime and C) activated bentonite, bentonite containing calcium aluminum silicate, and preferably also a polymeric flocculating agent, has been found highly effective as a reagent for the clarification of sugar-containing juices, notably sugar cane juice, and related products.

Abstract: There is provided a method of metering monocalcium saccharate into a sugared juice. The process includes taking a sample of the juice to be analyzed, diluting the sample with alcohol in order to form a precipitate, separating the precipitate by filtration, dissolving the precipitate in deionized water, acidifying the solution obtained by the addition of phosphoric acid and metering the saccharose into the said solution. The method is usable, in particular, in sugar refining in the production of sugared juices by the alkaline diffusion process.

Abstract: The lipid content, i.e. "cane wax", is extracted from cane molasses by the steps of:(a) adjusting the cane molasses with sufficient alkali to pH 8.0 and 12.4;(b) adding to the pH adjusted molasses a lower alcohol in an amount to provide an alcohol concentration in the range of between 85 and 60 Vol % while heating to 60.degree. C..+-.10.degree. C., and removing the resultant residual solids as a sludge to yield a clarified liquid;(c) reducing the alcohol concentration of the clarified liquid to 50-15 Vol %;(d) adjusting the temperature of the resultant liquid to 45.degree. C..+-.10.degree. C. and then cooling the same to a temperature 20.degree. C..+-.15.degree. C. and efficient to precipitate the lipids therefrom; and(e) recovering the precipitated lipids routinely by isolation or filtration.

Abstract: A process for recovering unreacted sucrose from a reaction mixture of sucrose and a fatty acid alkyl ester in an organic solvent as reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst in the production of a sucrose fatty acid ester which comprises adjusting the reaction mixture from which a part of the organic solvent as reaction medium may be previously removed and to which water is added, to a neutral pH region, adding a neutral salt and sucrose to the reaction mixture to precipitate the sucrose fatty acid ester, filtering off the precipitate, and bringing the filtrate into contact with a reverse osmosis membrane to recover the unreacted sucrose. According to the invention, unreacted sucrose can be easily recovered, while the sucrose fatty acid ester not contaminated with the organic solvent as reaction medium can be obtained from the reaction mixture without using an organic solvent for purification.

Abstract: A process for preparing lactulose from lactose in which an aqueous lactose mixture is reacted with a sodium aluminate solution and the solution obtained is continuously neutralized by feeding this solution and a sulphuric acid solution to a reactor simultaneously in such a manner as to obtain a pH of between 4.5 and 8.By operating in this manner an aluminium hydroxide suspension is obtained which can be easily separated from the lactulose solution.

Abstract: A method of recovering lactose from milk whey or cheese whey with a high yield, wherein the whey is concentrated, part of the lactose is crystallized, and the crystals are separated and dried; the mother liquor is purified by heating it to about 60.degree. to 70.degree. C. at a pH of about 5.8 to 7.0 and by removing the resultant precipitate by centrifugation; the purified mother liquor is fractionated chromatographically, using sulphonated polystyrene resin which is in sodium ion form and cross-linked by a 3-6% per weight divinylbenzene and which is even-grained, the flow rate is about 0.4 to 1.5 m.sup.3 /h, the temperature about 50.degree. to 75.degree. C., and the pH about 5.5 to 7; whereafter elution is carried out with water, and the following fractions are recovered: a protein fraction which may also contain salts, an intermediate fraction which is recirculated to the fractionating step, and a lactose fraction which is passed to the crystallization step.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying branched beta-cyclodextrins from aqueous solution. The process entails adding a beta-cyclodextrin complexant to a starting solution, recovering the precipitate so formed, dissolving the resulting precipitate in water, adding a second dose of beta-cyclodextrin complexant to the solution and recovering branched beta-cyclodextrin from the resulting liquor.

Abstract: A process for the removal of non-sugar impurities from beet diffusion juice having essentially no beet tissue particles therein and comprising water, sugar, and dissolved and colloidal non-sugar impurities. The diffusion juice is subjected to a progressive preliming procedure to thereby produce a limed first juice fraction containing non-sugar flocs and a limed, floc-free second juice fraction. The fractions are separated and the floc-free fraction is subjected to cold and hot main liming. Subsequently, and without substantial mechanical or chemical degradation, at least a portion of the first juice fraction containing at least a portion of the non-sugar flocs is united with the main-limed second juice fraction in a first carbonation procedure wherein carbon dioxide reacts with the lime present to produce calcium carbonate precipitate which, in addition to being an adsorption filter aid, forms protective scales around the floc particles.

Abstract: A method for processing aqueous sugar juice containing a mixture of aldehyde-function saccharides and ketonic-function saccharides for separating and selecting ketonic-function saccharides, comprising (a) producing a hydro-organic medium by mixing the juice with an active methylene ketonic compound, a calcium-based catalyst and preferably ethanol, (b) mixing the medium until furanic polyalcohol is formed by condensation of the ketonic compound and the aldehyde-function saccharides and (c) allowing the furanic polyalcohol to precipitate and separating it by physical means from the liquid medium.

Abstract: Pentoses and hexoses are epimerized by heating sugar dissolved in a solvent in the presence of a molybdenum(VI) compound, by an improved process in which, for the preparation of a sugar having cis OH groups in the 2- or 3-position, of the formula Ia or Ib ##STR1## where R is one of the radicals ##STR2## a homogeneous solution of the corresponding sugar of the formula IIa or IIb ##STR3## is heated to 75.degree.-100.degree. C. in the presence of from 30 to 200 mol %, based on sugar used, of a metal salt of the formula (III)MeX.sub.2 (III)where Me is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Zn and X is Cl or Br, which may or may not contain water of crystallization, and in the presence of from 2 to 20 mol %, based on the sugar used, of a molybdenum(VI) compound.The process is particularly important for the preparation of D-ribose, which is required as an intermediate for vitamin B.sub.2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing highly pure rhamnose from gum arabic, which the process comprises after partially hydrolyzing gum arabic in an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, neutralyzing and condensing the liquid hydrolyzate, thereby obtaining an aqueous solution containing from 40 to 70% by weight of organic substances, adding a polar organic solvent in an amount of from 5 to 20 times by volume of the amount of the aqueous solution, thereby precipitating an insolubilized substance, removing the insolubilized substance from a mixture of the aqueous solution and the polar organic solvent, removing the polar organic solvent from the mixture, thereby obtaining an aqueous solution containing monosaccharides formed by the hydrolysis of gum arabic, and subjecting the thus obtained aqueous solution to strongly cationic ion-exchanging resin-chromatography and then to a method of adsorption and separation by using activated carbon, thereby obtaining the highly pure rhamnose from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the removal of impurities comprising phenolics, dextrans or amino nitrogen from an aqueous saccharide solution. The solution is contacted with a sorbent, which itself is also an embodiment of the invention, comprising a cationic nitrogenous surfactant, the molecules of which contain at least one alkyl group of at least 8 carbon atoms, deposited on the surface of a microporous hydrophobic polymeric support. The deposition is accomplished by contacting a solution of the surfactant in an appropriate solvent with the support. The impurities are adsorbed onto the sorbent and the aqueous saccharide solution is removed from contact with the sorbent. The solvent must be completely miscible with the saccharide solution and the solution of the surfactant in the solvent must have a maximum sorbent wetting rate of at least 100 g/m.sup.2.min., and a sorbent bed retention of at least 140%, based on the bed interstitial volume.