In 1994 hop products were successfully used for the first time to combat bacteria in beet extraction. This was a totally new field for the use of hop products, compared with their traditional use in breweries. Today an alkaline solution of hop beta acids is used in sugar factories under the trademark "BetaStab". Hop beta-acids have turned out to be very effective against formation of NO_2 and anaerobic infections in tower extractors, which are often operated intentionally with lactic acid fermentation. Hop beta-acids have additionally proved effective in the field of thick juice storage. Sometimes, in the case of lactic acid control, a selection of less sensitive organisms is observed and a second disinfectant has to be used, alternating with hops. Thus an idea was born to use rosin acids as a further harmless natural biocide. Results from laboratory trials, full scale trials and some first studies on residues are presented. Rosin acids show a potential to be used in the sugar industry, either alternating with hop products or to create products which are more cost effective.
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