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RDE Abstract of Completed Research

Sugar Quality and Safety
Quality of white sugars.
Mila G. Gonzaga, Flor S. Nepomuceno, Teresita B. Sanglap and Agnes G. Collado
 
Seventy five (75) samples of white sugar collected from consumer outlets (supermarkets, wet markets and sari-sari stores) from five different areas of Metro Manila were analyzed for moisture, polarization, color, sucrose and reducing sugars using ICUMSA official methods. The data were evaluated against the standard grade requirements for white sugars as specified in PNS 1098:1993. Results showed that sugar samples coming from known refineries and unidentified sources were all within standard specifications. Samples collected from sugars imported from Thailand and Diamond branded sugars were found sub-standard.
Monitoring and assessment of conformance of raw sugars to Philippine National Standards (PNS) 1097:1993.
SRA Laboratories
Weekly composite raw sugar samples are submitted for quality test at the SRA Laboratories in Quezon City and Bacolod City through the SRA-PCRO (Production Control and Regulatory Office). Sugar Mills located in Luzon, East Visayas and Mindanao (LEViM) submit their samples at the former; while those of Central Visayas, Negros and Panay, at the latter.
 
Sugar samples are analyzed for polarization, moisture/safety factor, ash, grain size, color (whole raw and affined raw) and dextran using ICUMSA methods / PNS 1097:1993.
 
Assessment of analytical data show that the quality level of raw sugar as produced generally conforms with the requirements of PHS 1097:1993 except color. The color of the affined raw sugar remains as the greatest difficulty in meeting the standard specification.
Monitoring and conformance check of White Sugars with Philippine National Standards (PNS) 1098:1993
Agro-Industrial Research Laboratory (AIRLAB) at Q.C.
 
Weekly composite white sugars (refined bottlers grade, refined premium grade, refined standard grade, and mill/factory white sugar or blanco directo) are submitted by seven (7) refineries quality and safety tests at the AIRLAB at Quezon City through the SRA-PCRO, other white sugar samples are also analyzed for their quality and safety levels. Sources of these samples include sugar traders (mostly importers) and industrial users.
 
White sugars are analyzed for sucrose (pol), moisture, ash, color, reducing sugar, floc formation, sediments, grist size, SO2, QAC (quarternary ammonium compound), contaminants (like Pb, As, and Cu) and micro-organisms (Mesophilic, Thermophilic, and yeast and mold).
 
Evaluation of analytical data show that white sugars submitted by Philippine refineries are safe and of good quality while those submitted by traders and industrial users failed in floc test and sediment representing seven percent (7%) non-conformance with the national standards.
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