Understanding the pathways for irreversible aggregate clusters formation in concentrated sugarcane juice derived from the membrane clarification process

Abstract Concentrated sugarcane juice (CSJ) is considered as one of the healthy sugar products, and so a potential feedstock in beverage formulations and soft drinks. However, irreversible aggregates, which are unattractive to the customer, are found with CSJ derived from the membrane filtration during storage. This study examined the formation of aggregates during the concentration of sugarcane juice to CSJ, and during CSJ storage. The concentration process for the formation of the aggregates goes by 3 stages, with polysaccharides interacting with phenolics and then proteins to form complexes which bind non-covalently to SiO2. For stored CSJ, inorganic compounds (mainly SiO2) were the main constituents in aggregates accounting for 43.14 % (w/w), followed by proteins, phenolics, polysaccharides, organic acids, and lipids. The results obtained with stored CSJ/NCS indicate that the proteins interact with phenolics and polysaccharides to form the flocs which then co-precipitate with SiO2 and calcium salts. The polishing of sugarcane juice with a multifunctional adsorbent in combination with the membrane filtration process could be a prospective approach solve the haze/aggregation problems associated with the CSJ, and further promotes their application in beverage formulations.