Functionalized chitosan-powder activated carbon and chitosan-cellulose nanocomposites as novel green biodegradable clarifying agents in sugar refining process

Clarification of sugar solutions without side-contamination (e.g. residual sulfur) during sugar manufacturing is still the main challenge in sugar factories. Herein, chitosan-cellulose (CS-CEL) and chitosan-powder activated carbon (CS-PAC) nanocomposites were synthesized to be used as green biodegradable clarifying agents in sugar refining process. PAC was obtained via physical activation procedures using water vapor at 950°C on carbonized sugarcane bagasse waste, then CS-PAC was combined using a cross-linking agent. Zeta potential analysis gave remarkable results for CS-CEL and CS-PAC with maximum values (+) 57.73 mV and (+) 41.1 mV, respectively, with improvement in color removal % up to 45.5% using CS-PAC and 45.1% using CS-CEL with more than 25% compared to traditional clarification process. Also, turbidity decreased using CS-CEL and CS-PAC from 167 IU to 2 IU. Overall, we found that CS-CEL and CS-PAC nanocomposites have considerable efficiency in sugar refining process as eco-friendly bio-sorbents and flocculating materials.