Extraction, purification and characterization of Moringa (Moringa oleífera Lamarck) seed used as flocculate to produce sugar

• Grant number: 14/02347-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Technology
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Justino Rossini Mutton
• Grantee: Cristhyane Millena de Freita
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

To produce a high quality sugar, according to the market demand, the sugarcane juice treatment is fundamental to removing the impurities. The addition of products such as polyelectrolytes based on acrylamide, aiming speed up the sedimentation of these compounds and this way enabling a production of lighter sugar is frequent. However, the crystals obtained can have this molecule residue that presents a high hazard to the human being due its neurotoxic and carcinogenic properties. Searching new flocculants able to replace the current ones is essential. This study aim will be extract, purify and characterize the proteins into the Moringa (Moringa oleífera Lamarck) seed, evaluating the best dosage to help the sedimentation and clarification of sugarcane juice for sugar production. This protein presents coagulating characteristics and it is used in water treatment plants. Different extracts will be separated from fresh seeds. After obtained, the extracts will be dialyzed and purified using different techniques (chromatography, heating and precipitation). To characterize the protein molecular weight, isoelectric point and tolerance will be evaluated. To determine the best dosage, each crude extract evaluated will be applied directly in the decanter, under different dosages, before the limed sugarcane juice adding (pH up to 7.0) and then heated. We hope obtain a product that promotes fast flock sedimentation in the sugarcane juice with similar characteristics to the commercial polymers.