Dados do Trabalho

Título

IMPACT OF THE NON-CENTRIFUGAL RAW CANE SUGAR PRODUCTION PROCESS ON ITS PHENOLIC COMPOUND CONTENT

Introdução

Brazil is recognized as the largest producer of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L) in the world, being the main agricultural raw material destined for the sugar and energy industries to produce sugar and ethanol. Sugarcane also meets the demand for other products, such as Non-centrifugal Raw Cane Sugar (NRCS) and syrup. These minimally processed derivatives are essential for sustainability, healthiness, and natural or artisanal products. NRCS can be considered a potential bioactive product, with antioxidant activity attributed mainly to phenolic compounds and flavonoids.

Material e Métodos

This study evaluated the content of phenolic compounds in NRCS produced from 4 sugarcane varieties, evaluating the effect of processing on the total phenolic content. The sugars were produced under the following conditions: on a laboratory scale, simulating an artisanal production process, in which the raw juice had the pH adjusted to 7 and was evaporated in a pan over direct heat up to 120°C, under two treatment conditions, being one without removing the scum (T1) and the other with removing the scum (T2), totaling 8 NRCS produced (SP80-T1, SP80-T2, RB97-T1, RB97-T2, RB85-T1, RB85-T2, RB86 -T1 and RB86-T2).

Resultados e Discussão

The NRCS obtained were analyzed for total phenolic content by reaction with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The results in mg·kg-1 were 169, 129, 111, 87, 139, 102, 206 and 146 for samples SP80-T1, SP80-T2, RB97-T1, RB97-T2, RB85-T1, RB85-T2, RB86-T1 and RB86-T2, respectively.

Conclusão

All sugars in which the scum was removed (T2) had lower total phenolic content than those produced from the same variety without the scum removed (T1). NRCS, as they are minimally processed products, have phenolic compounds in their constitution arising from the raw material. However, the process used to produce these sugars can reduce these levels, as verified in this study, in which the removal of scum directly impacted the content of compounds phenolics, consequently decreasing its bioactive potential.