Introduction:

It is necessary to search for new alternative products for the clarification of sugar cane juices that allow for diversification in the Cuban sugar industry.

Objective:

To evaluate different alternatives for the clarification of sugarcane juices through the use of natural mineral substances such as Bentonite and Zeolite.

Materials and Methods:

To evaluate the sedimentation behavior of the cane juice under study, the test of sedimentation in a test tube, chemical analysis at laboratory level and the statistical software Statgraphics were used as fundamental methods, using mineral agents and laboratory instruments.

Results and Discussion:

As fundamental results, different values of sedimentation rates are obtained, as well as: brix, pol, purity, color, ash, phosphoric content, reducers and the turbidity of the juices, which served as support in the selection of the adequate treatment for them. Based on this, a clarification alternative is proposed in which alkalinity is used at a pH of 8.2 and zeolite is used as a mineral clarifying agent.

Conclusions:

Juice treatment with zeolite presents favorable results when alkalized at pH close to 8.2, showing sedimentation rates of 1.65E-04 m/s and acceptable turbidity values of 35 UTF, which constitutes a novel and diversifying alternative, since it offers the possibility of using the sludge from the process in the subsequent formulation of animal feed or in the fertilization of land for cultivation.

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