Evaluation of vinasses from sugarcane molasses distillation as a new source of sugarcane wax

摘要

Molasses, a by-product of sugar manufacturing, are the most common raw material for rum manufacturing. During the fermentation and distillation process, vinasses are produced in large quantities and disposed in landfills. In this study, they were evaluated as a new source of sugarcane wax. The chemical composition of the wax was studied by GC-Mass spectroscopy. A series of n-alkanes (C-23-C-33) and ethyl and methyl esters of fatty acids (palmitate and oleate are the predominant), of phytosterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, campesterol), free fatty acids (C-12:0-C-36:0), and triglycerides constitute the main components. In addition, 2-ketones (C-27-C-33), aldehydes (C-28, C-32, C-34), ketosteroids (derivatives of stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, and campesterol), and fatty alcohol acetates (alcohol moiety: C-28, C-30, C-32) were found as minor products.