(506b) Recovery of Polyphenol-Enriched Sugarcane Molasses Solution By Ultrafiltration

Blackstrap molasses was diluted with deionized water  and purified using  ultrafiltration hollow fiber membrane.  Evaluation of permeate flux and fouling were compared using polysulfone membrane with MWCO of 500 kDa and 100 kDa.  Permeate flux was observed every 5-minute interval and steady time was recorded.  The transmembrane pressure was varied from 10 to 15 psi,   permeate flux changes, which is dependent on the pressure, was observed and recorded. At the end of ultrafiltration, data on final permeate flux were collected  for each transmembrane pressure and for each membrane used.  Fouling study was performed at total recycling mode by observing the permeate flux decline with time at transmembrane pressures of  15, 20, and 25 psi.  The performance of the two hollow fiber membranes used were compared in terms of   ultrafiltration permeate flux and fouling behavior.  The membrane rejection with respect to polyphenol content of the initial feed and final permeate were calculated to complete the  comparison for the  two  membranes. The results showed that both the membranes have clarified the permeate solution but the rejection for the 100 kDa   membrane was the greatest, around 0.7.  For both membranes,  fouling  data were comparable, but  final flux in 100 kDa was much lower by 20% as compared to  500 kDa. Removal efficiency of the unwanted molecules such as potassium and calcium crystals were more significant in 100 kDa membrane. Thus, by evaluating used membranes on the enrichment of polyphenols from molasses, it was concluded that 100 kDa membrane has been more appropriate.