RDE Abstract of Completed Research
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Analytical Methods
Comparative test results between leaded and non-leaded clarifying agents Ignacio E. Tandang
Parallel test were conducted in 4 sugar mills located in different cane growing areas between leaded and non-leaded clarifying agent to compare the adaptability of the latter in the analysis of process materials. Subjected to tests were materials that consume the most abundant amount of clarifying agent during polarization determination. Data obtained were evaluated using correlation analyses and t-rest procedure. Initial results showed significant findings that could pave the way towards the use of safer alternatives to lead subacetate in the Philippine sugar industry.
NIR analysis of raw sugar Pamela V. Alfornon, Agnes G. Collado and Teresita B. Sanglap
A comparative study on the polarization of raw sugar using NIR technique and standard ICUMSA method was conducted to generate additional data and to validate the NIR technique as an alternative method. The NIR polarization analysis eliminates the use of lead sub acetate, a clarifying agent with known hazardous effect both on health and environment. It utilizes infrared radiation at 880 nm where the coloring compounds such as amino and other ionic materials in sugar have minimal interference on polarization reading thus, clarifying agent is not necessary.
The samples were randomly selected from the raw sugars of different mills submitted to the Sugar Laboratory of AIRLAB Department for the period of 1997 – 2000. Statistical treatment of the result gave a mean difference of 0.08 o. This value could be reasonably be attributed as one of the factors in component-by-component approach in estimating the measurement of uncertainty of polarization method. Thus, with the inclusion of measurement uncertainty in reporting data, the difference in polarization in NIR technique could be recommended as standard uncertainty, making the NIR polarization technique as valid alternative method of standard procedure.
Dextran content of Philippine raw sugar.Lorelie Daus, Agnes G. Collado and Teresita B. Sanglap
The analysis of dextran was undertaken to evaluate and monitor the rate of increase and behavior of dextran which can be correlated with mill operations concerning dextran. Roberts Dextran test (AOAC) with 400 ppm maximum standard specification was used in the analysis of raw sugar samples taken from selected mills such as Bais, Batangas, Busco, Central Azucarera Don Pedro, (CADP), Herminio Teves Company Incorporated (HTCI) and Universal Robina Milling Company (URSUMCO).
Comparative performance data during the first and second sets of analysis are presented and discussed statistically at 0.01 confidence level. This is to show if the mean difference of the samples’ dextran content is significant or not.
The statistical evaluation of the average dextran content of the mills during the first and second periods shows that only Mill 1 is significantly different at 1% level. However, the evaluation of the difference between the average dextran contents of the two sets of analysis is not significant at 0.01 confidence level. This implies that the rate of increase of dextran from sugar-milling plants is distinctly equivalent with each other, that there is no significant difference in mill-operations on how to control dextran. In general, the mill with the greatest amount of dextran is the Mill 6, followed by Mill 4, Mill 2, Mill 3, Mill 5 and lastly Mill 1.
