Abstract

ACEVEDO-ESTUPINAN, Maria V; PARRA-ESCUDERO, Carlos O  and  MUVDI-NOVA, Carlos J. STUDY OF CLARIFICATION PROCESS OF CASSAVA STARCH HYDROLYSATES USING CERAMIC MEMBRANES. Vitae [online]. 2015, vol.22, n.2, pp.121-129. ISSN 0121-4004.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.vitae.v22n2a06.

Background: Clarification step of starch hydrolysates for the production of glucose syrups is the main responsible for batch production; in addition, it causes high costs when using rotary vacuum filters, activated carbon and diatomaceous earth to ensure product quality.Objectives: To evaluate the clarification step of hydrolyzed cassava starch obtained enzymatically, using membrane technology at different temperatures, membrane cut-off and transmembrane pressures. Methods: Clarification was conducted using a pilot composed by a jacketed tank, where the hydrolysis reaction was carried out. The filtration was performed by connecting the tank to a pump to send the fluid to the membrane carter; transmembrane pressure was fixed with a valve placed at the end of the module. The experiments were carried out using membranes with different cut-off sizes in a factorial design 2², two temperatures (50 and 70°C) and two transmembrane pressure levels (0.15 and 0.30 MPa) were evaluated. The flows obtained for the retentate and permeate were measured. The obtained samples were analyzed to assess the permeate quality (turbidity, amount of retained protein, dry matter content and °Brix). Statistical analysis was performed with software Statgraphic Centurion XVI.I®. Results: The results showed that the pressures (0.15 to 0.30 MPa) and temperatures (50 and 70°C) evaluated did not influence significantly the permeability, or the quality of the permeate (p-values 0.05), it can allow to work with lower pressure (less wear on equipment and less energy), at hydrolysis temperature, it would allow to work under conditions of continuous production. Moreover, the possibility to use membranes with pore diameters up to 0.8 µm was observed; it allow to increase up to 5 times the productivity and decrease the turbidity by 99%. Conclusions: It is possible to use ceramic microfiltration membranes up to 0.8 µm in moderate transmembrane pressure, at hydrolysis temperature for clarification of cassava starch hydrolysates without decreasing the quality of the permeate flow.

Keywords : Filtration; membranes; hydrolysate; starch; cassava.

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