SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES AND VALUABLE NEW POLYSACCHARIDE-BASED PRODUCTS FROM SUGAR BEET PULP

摘要

More effective utilization of sugar beet pulp generated from beet sugar processing can improve the economic viability of U.S. beet sugar production. Dried pulp pellet and shreds provide a nutritious and valuable animal feed co-product from pulp for both local and export markets. However, the future of such markets may be threatened by increased availability of alternative feed materials from grain-based bioethanol production and customer concern for beet pulp derived from genetically modified plants that are being developed and pending commercial release. Beet pulp represents a largely untapped source of cell wall polysaccharides such- as pectin that can be recovered and converted into higher-value biobased products. New biobased products are therefore sought from beet pulp to generate more revenue for growers and processors and to replace imported and/or petroleum-based products. Research on our CRIS (Official ARS/USDA Research) project is being conducted toward developing fundamental knowledge of the enzyme and polysaccharide components of the sugar beet cell wall; creating innovative new functional food, feed, and non-food biomedical and industrial bioproducts; and establishing efficient and sustainable conversion processes for their isolation and production. Our specific objectives, capabilities, and accomplishments are summarized in this report.