* NEWS FROM SPRI *

 

July 20, 2010

 

Congratulations!

Mary An Godshall was presented an award at the 27th Session of ICUMSA, Berlin, Germany, on July 11-14, 2010, Closing Reception at the Swissotel Hotel in recognition of over 28 years service to the advancement of Sugar Analysis through the ICUMSA organization.

 

ICUMSA

ICUMSA (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) is a world-wide body which brings together the activities of the National Committees for Sugar Analysis in more than thirty member countries.

Work is carried out under various Subjects each headed by a Referee.

ICUMSA is the only international organization concerned solely with the analytical methods for the sugar industry.  In addition to use by that industry, ICUMSA methods are recognized by authorities such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the OIML, the EU, and the US Food Chemicals Codex.

 

 

Welcome to SPRI’s 2010/11 Fiscal Year

 

Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc. (SPRI) begins its fiscal year on July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.  For information on SPRI membership please contact Dr. Charley Richard, Managing Director of SPRI or email us at spri@ars.usda.gov  SPRI’s 2010/11 Research Program will be discussed at the upcoming Executive Committee meeting July/August 2010.  All Board of Directors and Committee members are invited to attend the next SPRI Board of Director’s meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 1, 2011, in conjunction with the 36th ASSBT Biennial Meeting at the Albuquerque Hyatt Regency, Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 2-5, 2011.

 

**New Sponsor **

Welcome Amalgamated Research Inc. (ARi)

Amalgamated Research Inc. (ARi) recently submitted their application for SPRI membership that has been approved by the SPRI Officers and Executive Committee.  SPRI wishes to welcome ARi, as a one unit sponsor.  ARi, is a company supplier to the sugar industry and is a process research and development company specializing in creation and management of innovative technology from laboratory and pilot to full scale industrial implementation.  Products include ARi’s patented fractal distributors and fractal distribution technology for controlling the geometry and dynamics of fluid scaling and distribution.  Other diverse applications include control or suppression of turbulence ordinarily caused by fluid jets, pluming or wake sources.  For over 20 years ARi has been developing and installing industrial processing equipment based on innovative pilot work. ARi operates its research facility at Twin Falls, Idaho, USA. 

 

 

SPRI at the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) 27th International Sweetener Symposium – July 30-August 4, 2010 at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa, Vail, Colorado, USA

 

Dr. Charley Richard will be attending the ASA Sweetener Symposium in Vail, Colorado.  This International Symposium will host its meeting in Vail, Colorado Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa on July 30-August 4, 2010.  Learn more information on SPRI membership, Research Program for the SPRI 2010/11 fiscal year and benefits of being a SPRI member.

 

 

**New Sponsor **

Welcome Ceres, Inc.

Ceres, Inc. recently submitted their application for SPRI membership that has been approved by the SPRI Officers and Executive Committee.  SPRI wishes to welcome Ceres, Inc., as a one unit sponsor.  Ceres, Inc., is a company supplier to the sugar industry and supplies seed of energy crops and conducts research on energy related issues from sugarcane and sorghum.  Founded as a genomics technology firm and operational since 1997, Ceres has been applying the techniques used in the Human Genome Project to crops.  Their high-throughput systems have proven to be extremely effective at identifying not just genes, but also their function and potential use.  Today, Ceres is applying their knowledge to dedicated energy crops, which is resulting in higher biomass yields, more fuel per acre, fewer agricultural inputs, and cleaner environment for us all. Based in Thousand Oaks, California, USA. 

 

**NEW CHAIRMAN FOR SPRI**

2010-2012

Mr. Mickey Seither, with The American Sugar Refining, Inc., Arabi, Louisiana, USA, will represent Sugar Processing Research Institute as newly elected chairman for the service years of 2010-2012.  We wish to thank Mr. Doug Emek, with Lantic Inc., /Rogers Sugar Ltd, Alberta, Canada for his service and overwhelming support of SPRI during his service as chairman of SPRI from 2008-2010.  The announcement will be made public at the SPRI 2010 Conference Award Banquet on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, when the gavel is passed to Mickey Seither.  Mr. Mickey Seither served on the board of directors of SPRI since 2006.  He was than elected to the SPRI Executive Committee in 2009 and service has Chairman of the SPRI Research Advisory & Review Committee from 2008-2010.  He has served as Vice-Chairman for the SPRI 2008-2010 fiscal year.  Mr. Mickey Seither brings his many years of dedication and support of SPRI and to the sugar industry has our new elected Chairman along with his many positions and responsibilities with The American Sugar Refining, Inc.  All our hopes go with Mr. Mickey Seither has he brings SPRI into a new direction in sugar research and a changing sugar industry in processing of raw and white cane and beet sugar.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

SPRI at the SIMTEC Exhibition and Fair, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 11-17, 2011

 

Dr. Charley Richard will be attending the SIMTEC Exhibition in Brazil.  This International Symposium and Technology Exhibition on the Sugar & Alcohol Industry will host its meeting in Piracicaba at the Central Sugar Mill on July 11-16, 2010.  Learn more information on SPRI membership, Research Program for the SPRI 2010/11 fiscal year and benefits of being a SPRI member.

 

 

SPRI at the 27th Session of ICUMSA, Berlin, 2010, Swissotel, Berlin, Germany on July 11-14, 2010

 

Dr. Marianne Mckee will be attending the ICUMSA 27th Session in Berlin.  Dr. Mckee will present a report on the SPRI Method for Rapid Analysis of Starch in Raw Cane Sugar and a Rapid Floc Test that SPRI has developed.  Learn more information on SPRI membership, Research Program for the SPRI 2010/11 fiscal year and benefits of being a SPRI member. .

 

 

SPRI at the 40th Joint Annual American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Meeting, Bay Point Golf Resort and Spa, Panama City, Florida, USA, June 16-18, 2010

 

Dr. Charley Richard will be attending the ASSCT Joint Meeting in Panama City, Florida at the Bay Point Golf Resort and Spa.  Learn more information on SPRI membership, Research Program for the SPRI 2010/11 fiscal year and benefits of being a SPRI member.

 

 

** Welcome**

 

Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc. (SPRI) wishes to welcome Alicia Certucha Arellano, Research and Development with COPROBAMEX, Bosques de las Lomas, Mexico D.F. to the SPRI Research Advisory and Review Committee. COPROBAMEX is a company supplier of the sugar industry and supplier and manufacturer of Sucroliq – the innovation in liquid sugar. Their role in the sugar industry is a supplier to the industry.  Their goal is to be a leader in the nutritional industry with products its clients and suppliers use to grow together in the national and international sector.

 

The Next SPRI Executive Committee Meeting will be in held by teleconference June/July 2010.

 

The Next SPRI RARC and Board of Directors Meeting will be in conjunction with the ASSBT 36th Biennial Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Albuquerque Hyatt Regency on March 2-5, 2011.

 

 SPRI 2010 Conference

SPRI celebrates 71 years of research for the sugar industry with hosting its SPRI 2010 Conference on Sugar Processing Research with the theme: Research in the Changing Sugar Industry. The conference was held at the Iberville Suites/Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on March 28-31, 2010.  The technical program consisted of 7 sessions, 4 keynote presentations, 20 oral presentations, Commercial Session, 5 exhibitors (Anton Paar USA, International Sugar Journal, Neltec Denmark A/S, Sugar Journal and Zuckerindustrie) and a Conference Tour of Chef John Folse & Company Manufacturing Plant with lunch at Houmas House Plantation & Gardens.  There were 59 attendees representing 41 international companies and institutions from 10 countries (Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Malawi, Mexico, Sweden, United Kingdom, and USA.)

 

Keynote Presentations:

“Sugar Crytsal: A Chameleon,” GIUSEPPE VACCARI, University of Ferrara, Italy.


“The Role of Sugarcane in Our Future: The Grand Challenge,”GAIL WISLER, USDA-ARS National Program Leader, Beltsville, MD, USA.

 

“Louisisana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing,” JOHN RUSSIN, LSU AgCenter Associate Vice Chancellor, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

 

Commercial Session – J.M. Canty Inc., Lockport, NY, USA, The Fitzpatrick Company, Elmhurst, IL, USA, MECAT Filtrações Industrias Ltda, Abodia de Goiás, Brasil and Neltec Denmark A/S, Bevloft, Denmark all presented Commercial papers on the current products serving the International Sugar Industry.

 

SYMPOSIUM – “Sugar Quality for Food and Impact on the Change of the Industry”

 

Market Trends and Industry Changes in the Sugar Industry – Charley Richard, Sugar Processing Research Institute, New Orleans, LA, USA

Why Sugar Quality is Important to Beverage Industry? – Pranee Turbush, The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, GA, USA

 

Sugar Quality Issues Important to the Food Processor? – Pierre Hilzim, Kajun Kettle Foods, Inc., New Orleans, LA, USA

 

Sugar Manufacturing: Steps of the Process that Impact Quality – Jeff Robinson, American Sugar Refining Inc., New Orleans, LA, USA

 

SPRI Science and Technology Award Winner – Abstract of Presentation

Sugar Crystal:  A Chameleon, Prof. Giuseppe Vaccari, University of Ferrara, Dipartimento di Chimica, Via L. Borsari, 46, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy, Tel: 39-532-240-706, Email: vcg@unife.it

 

What kind of comparison can be found between sugar crystals and chameleons? Apparently none, but when we look at sugar crystals, a lot of questions could emerge, such as:

 

Do the crystals have the same shape?

How many faces do they have?

Do they all have the same number of faces?

How many faces would they have?

Is the relative area of the various faces always the same?

Is it possible that some faces appear or disappear?

What is the effect of temperature, supersaturation and composition of the solution?

Do the crystals have the same color?

Where is located the color of the crystal?

Is the color of the crystal uniformly distributed?

Are colored substances chemically bonded to the crystals?

Is there a correlation between the color of the crystal and the color of the growing solution?

What are the effects of “spontaneous nucleation” and “seeding”?

Which are the differences between single crystals, twins and conglomerates?

Do large crystals and small crystals have the same shape and the same color?

Why can crystals have different gloss?

What are the differences between beet and cane crystals?

Can we obtain good crystals from very impure or colored solutions?

Which is the shape of the crystals when we use alternative technologies which replace the traditional purification of the juices?

 

If we try to give answers to these questions, we realize that sugar crystals can have different shapes, different sizes, different color depending upon the environment in which they exist and in which they have been grown. As a consequence, we can realize that there is an ideal correlation between sugar crystals and chameleons. In fact, also these latter have different sizes, shapes and color depending upon the environment in which they are and live.

 

Margaret A. Clarke Best Paper Award – Winner – HENRIQUE V. AMORIM -  Fermentec Ltda, Brasil

Impact of Sugar Cane Juice Chemical Composition on Clarification and VHP Sugar Quality, Henrique Amorim, Fermentec, Antonia Pizzinato Sturion Street 1155, Jd. Petropolis, 13420-640 Piracicaba SP, Brasil, Tel: 55-192105-6100, Fax: 55-192405-6101, E-mail: amorim@fermentec.com.br

It is well known that the sugar cane composition affects clarification and sugar recovery and quality. However, it is not well known the levels of such variables in clarification and VHP sugar quality.  This research was performed in a sugar and ethanol plant in Brazil which crushes 4 millions ton of cane per season and 25,000 ton per day.  Fifty four samples were collected in first extraction juice, dosed juice and clarified juice during several weeks and also samples of the VHP sugar, were analyzed.  The juices were analyzed for sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactic acid, acetic acid, dextran and minerals. S was analyzed for solid impurities, turbidity and color.  Positive correlations were found between phosphorus and clarification efficiency and VHP color.  The lactic and acetic acids, as well glucose and fructose in juice, correlated negatively with sugar quality (increase color).  Dextran interferes in clarification and affects Honig-Bogstra indice.  Knowing better the variables that affect clarification and sugar quality, it is possible to improve the process.

 

SPRI 2010 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

** AWARD WINNER **

PROF. GIUSEPPE VACCARI

 

Prof. Giuseppe Vaccari was born in 1948 in a small village near Ferrara graduated in chemistry in 1972 at the University of Ferrara and became a lecturer in Applied Chemistry in 1975 at the same University.  In 1985 he was appointed Associate Professor of Industrial Chemistry and began lecturing at the Postgraduate School for Sugar Technologists, covering also the position of Director from 2000-2002.  He was also involved in biotechnology and he was a lecturer for several biotechnological courses.

 

He joined the scientific committee of C.I.T.S. (Commission Internationale Technique de Sucriere) in 1987 and became vice president in 1995; he covered “ad interim” the position of President of this Commission during the years 1997-1999.

 

He was Referee of I.C.U.M.S.A (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) for the subject “dry substance.”  He was elected President of ICUMSA in 1998 and maintained this position till 2006.

 

Prof. Vaccari was awarded with a bronze medal by ACIA (Association des Chemistes, Ingénieurs et Cadres des Industries Agricoles et Alimentaires – France) for an article published in IAA magazine in 1994.  He was elected honorary member of the STC (Stowarzyszenia Technokov Cukrownikow) Warsaw 1997 and has published more then 150 papers in the fields of sugar technology and biotechnology.  He joined other international congresses in various parts of the world.  He is also co-author of 10 patents set up by different industries.

 

 

SPRI at the 69th Annual Meeting –Sugar Industry Technologists, Inc., Hilton Savannah DeSoto, Savannah, GA, May 16-19, 2010

 

Dr. Marianne Mckee and Dr. Charley Richard will be attending the conference.  Learn more information on SPRI membership and Research Program for the SPRI 2010/11 fiscal year.

 

 

 

SPRI at the 57th ISBT – International Society of Beverage Technologists Conference, Renaissance Glendale Hotel, Glendale, AZ,  BevTech 10, on April 26-28, 2010

 

Dr. Marianne Mckee and Dr. Charley Richard will be attending the conference and Sweeteners Seminar on April 29, 2010.  Learn more information on SPRI membership and Research Program for the SPRI 2010/11 fiscal year.

 

 

SPRI at the 239th American Chemistry Society-ACS, Spring 2010 National Meeting, San Francisco Convention Center, San Francisco, CA, USA March 22-25, 2010

 

Mary An Godshall will present an oral presentation entitled: “Value-Added Products for a Sustainable Sugar Industry,” at the San Francisco Convention Center at the Presidential Theme One-Day Symposium entitled: “Sustainability of Sugar and Sugar-Ethanol Industries.” Program and Abstracts.  Learn more information on SPRI membership and attending the 17th NOCS on March 26, 2010 and the SPRI International Conference on Sugar Processing Research to be held in New Orleans on March 28-31, 2010, with the theme “Research in a Changing Sugar Industry.”

 

SPRI at the ISSCT XXVII Congress, Veracruz, Mexico, March 7-11, 2010

 

Dr. Charley Richard, Managing Director of SPRI will be attending the upcoming International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists – ISSCT 27th Congress to be held on March 7-11, 2010, at the World Trade Center of Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico.  Dr. Richard will present an oral presentation entitled: “Designing, Producing and Processing “Ultimate” Varieties of Sugarcane.” Learn more information on SPRI membership, Research Program for the SPRI 2009/10 fiscal year and the SPRI International Conference on Sugar Processing Research to be held in New Orleans on March 28-31, 2010, with the theme “Research in a Changing Sugar Industry.” 

 

 

SPRI at the 18th International Sugar Organization Seminar – London, UK

 

Dr. Charley Richard, Managing Director of SPRI will be attending the upcoming 18th International Sugar Organization Seminar – “Crunch time for sugar and ethanol?” on November 24-25, 2009, at the East Wintergarden, Bank Street Canary Wharf, London, UK.  Dr. Richard will present an oral presentation entitled: “Biotechnology – opportunities and challenges for cane and beet sugar.” Learn more information on SPRI membership, Research Program for the SPRI 2009/10 fiscal year and the SPRI International Conference on Sugar Processing Research to be held in New Orleans on March 28-31, 2010, with the theme “Research in a Changing Sugar Industry.” 

 

SPRI New Fiscal Year 2009/2010

 

Dr. Charley Richard, Managing Director of SPRI and Dr. Marianne Mckee will be attending the SPRI Board of Directors and Committee meetings on Saturday, August 1, 2009, at the Canyons Resort – Grand Summit Resort Hotel Conference Center in Park City, Utah.  SPRI Research Plan for the 2009/2010 fiscal year will be presented to the Research Advisory and Review Committee.  Progress report will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval.  Dr. Richard will also attend the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) 26th International Sweetener Symposium on August 1-5, 2009.  Learn more about SPRI, SPRI membership and presenting an oral or poster at the upcoming SPRI Conference on Sugar Processing Research in New Orleans on March 28-31, 2010. 

 **New Sponsor **

Welcome Mecat Filtrações Industriais

MECAT Filtrações Industriais recently submitted their application for SPRI membership that has been approved by the SPRI Officers and Executive Committee.  SPRI wishes to welcome MECAT Filtrações Industriais as a one unit sponsor. MECAT Filtrações Industriais is a company supplier of the sugar industry and supplier and manufacturer of “Turbo Filtering.”  The turbo filtering is an innovation technology in the finishing processing of sugar, and ethanol.  The Turbo Filtering is a continuous process for the separation of suspended insoluble microsoilds and /or colloidal matters in liquid, without atmospheric contact, without fragmentation of microparticles, and with the separated solid reject moisture around 80%.  The process is an innovation because it allows to process large volumes of juice through small filtering surfaces with low energy consumption.  Market established in 1993.  Based in Goiás, Brasil with offices in USA. (Mecat USA Inc., Orlando, FL) 

 

 

17th New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium

Maison Dupuy Hotel

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

 

SPRI hosted another successful New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium with the support of the program committee and the many speakers and poster presenters.  Event supporters ACS-Carbohydrate Chemistry Division and Pfizer Global Research and Development added to the success of the 17th NOCS for financial support.  We had 27 delegates representing 15 research institutions and Universities from Canada, Norway and USA for an intense one day meeting. The meeting was held at the Maison Dupuy Hotel, New Orleans.  We would like to take this time to thank every presenter for their participation, which added much value to the program. SPRI would like to continue to enhance the overall appreciation of carbohydrates in our lives, and plan to host the meeting next year with a tentative date of Friday, April 1, 2011, following the ACS National Meeting scheduled for March 27-30, 2011, in Anaheim, California.  We hope you will consider attending the meeting again and recommend anyone you feel would benefit in attending this meeting to the SPRI office. The past program is posted at this link at NOCS0309.html.  Looking forward to seeing you in New Orleans in April 2011 for the 18th NOCS.

 

 

Plans are underway to host the 18th New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium on Friday, April 1, in New Orleans, LA. Visit our link at NOCS0310.html for more details.

 

Please contact the SPRI office for details at 504-286-4343, -4230, email: spri@ars.usda.gov

 

** Welcome**

 

Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc. (SPRI) wishes to welcome Jeffrey Robinson, Technical Director with The American Sugar Refining Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, USA to the SPRI Research Advisory and Review Committee.  American Sugar Refining Inc., doing business as Domino Foods, Inc., manufactures refined and specialty sugar products in the United States. It operates sugar refineries in Yonkers, Baltimore and New Orleans. 

 

Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc. (SPRI) wishes to welcome Celia Rodriguez, Quality Manager with Cargill Inc., Dayton, Ohio, USA to the SPRI Research Advisory and Review Committee.  Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services.  Founded in 1865, Cargill privately held company employs 160,000 people in 67 countries.

 

NEXT SPRI BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

Reminder: The next Board of Directors and Committee meetings will be in conjunction with the ASSBT 36th American Society of Sugarbeet Technologists Meeting at the Albuquerque Hyatt Regency, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA on March 2-5, 2011.  Tentative date is on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.  Please view the Board of Directors page at www.schedule0311.html for more information.

 

SPRI RESEARCH ADVISORY AND REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING - RARC

Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at The Albuquerque Hyatt Regency

 

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 

LUNCHEON

You are cordially invited to attend SPRI Board of Directors Luncheon at the Albuquerque Hyatt Regency

 

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 

SPRI BOARD OF DIRECTORS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at The Albuquerque Hyatt Regency

 

2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

 

Where: The Albuquerque Hyatt Regency

330 Tijeras Avenue Northwest

Albuquerque, NM 87102

Phone: 505-842-1234               Fax:     504-843-2710

                       

The SPRI Board of Directors and Committee Meetings will be in conjunction with the ASSBT 36th Biennial Meeting on March 1, 2011.  We will post hotel information as well as the ASSBT program.

Dr. Charley Richard, phone: 504-286-4343, 504-286-4230, Fax: 504-282-5387, E-mail: spri@ars.usda.gov

 

 

 

16TH New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium (NOCS)

March 27-28, 2009

“Further Insights into Carbohydrate Research”

 

USDA-ARS Southern Regional Research Center

1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd.

New Orleans, LA  70124

 

SPRI hosted another successful New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium with the support of the program committee and the many speakers and poster presenters.  We had 22 delegates representing 19 research institutions and Universities from Austria, Germany, The Netherlands and USA for an intense one day meeting. The meeting was held at the USDA-ARS Southern Regional Research Center marking the meeting place of the first meeting held at the same location in 1984.  We would like to take this time to thank every presenter for their participation, which added much value to the program. We believe the meeting enhanced the overall appreciation of carbohydrates in our lives, and plan to host the meeting next year with a tentative date of Friday, March 26, 2010.  We hope you will consider attending the meeting again and recommend anyone you feel would benefit in attending this meeting to the SPRI office. The past program is posted at this link at NOCS0309.html.  Looking forward to seeing you in New Orleans in March 2010 for the 17th NOCS.

 

NEW ORLEANS CARBOHYDRATE SYMPOSIUM

“CARBODAZE”

Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., (SPRI) held annually the New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium – NOCS, from 1985 with it’s first meeting of its kind in New Orleans, Louisiana, in conjunction with the ACS National Meeting: Carbohydrate Division. The New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium better known as “Carbodaze” was organized by Dr. Margaret A. Clarke, Managing Director of SPRI from 1981 until her untimely death in June 1998, holding its last meeting in April 1998. This series of Gordon style conferences were small informal meetings, hosted in New Orleans, Louisiana, to bring together the frontiers of the highest caliber of carbohydrate chemists and chemistry in the world to present their research. Gordon Conference rules applied to these meeting, which explains that there were no published proceedings of NOCS presentations. The meeting is in an informal, round table format, with extensive and open discussions.  The 15th Symposium was held in New Orleans on April 10-12, 2008, in tribute to Dr. Margaret A. Clarke as Managing Director of SPRI and hosting the NOCS Symposium in New Orleans from 1984-1998 and to revitalize the meeting to the international carbohydrate community.

 

New Sponsor

  ** COPROBAMEX **

SPRI Inc., wishes to welcome COPROBAMEX, as our new sponsor for the 2008/09 Fiscal Year.  COPROBAMEX – Comercializadora de Productos Basicos de Mexico S.A. de C.v., Mexico D. F., is a company supplier of the sugar industry and supplier and manufacturer of Sucroliq – the innovation in liquid sugar. Their role in the sugar industry is a supplier to the industry.  Their goal is to be a leader in the nutritional industry with products its clients and suppliers use to grow together in the national and international sector.  We welcome and look forward to COPROBAMEX joining SPRI.  Mr. Mario C. Bojorquez Valenzuela has been selected by COPROBAMEX to represent the company as a member on the SPRI Board of Directors. 

 

________________________________________

 

** Appointment of Dr. Ed Cleveland as New Center Director **

Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA

 

We are pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Thomas E. Cleveland as the Center Director of the Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC), New Orleans, LA.  He succeeds Dr. J. Patrick Jordan, who retired as Center Director in January 2008.  Dr. Cleveland received his B.S. degree in Zoology and his M.S. in Microbiology from Louisiana Tech University and received his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Louisiana State University in 1980.  Dr. Cleveland joined ARS in 1984 in New Orleans following Fellow positions at the University of Kentucky and Washington State University.

 

As Research Leader for the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit at SRRC from 1988 until selection as Center Director, Dr. Cleveland led the research program investigating biotechnological methods to eliminate mycotoxin formation in developing crops.  Dr. Cleveland has authored or coauthored over 225 publications in mycopathology.  Dr. Cleveland has achieved a national and international reputation for his research on aflatoxin contamination of food and feed crops.  Among his many honors, he was selected to receive the Mid South Area ARS Early Career Scientist Award in 1990; received the USDA Group Honor Award in 1998 “For elimination of aflatoxin, a potent carcinogen, from food and feed supplies, and preventing severe economic losses”; elected Fellow of the Society for Industrial Microbiology (2002), American Association for the Advancement of Science (2003), and American Academy of Microbiology (2004); selected as 2003 ARS Outstanding Senior Scientist; received the USDA, Group Honor Award for Excellence as a member of the Mid South Area Workforce Diversity Committee (MSA-WDC) (2003), as well as the Administrator’s Equal Employment Opportunity/Civil Rights Award to members of the MSA-WDC (2003); and is being presented the Arima Award (2008) by the International Union of Microbiological Sciences.

 

Dr. Cleveland demonstrated and honed his scientific, technical, leadership, managerial and administrative skills via several executive assignments in ARS, including organizing the first Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop leading to formation of a consortium of industry and university cooperators, increased funding, and a detail to the National Program Staff (1977); serving as Acting Director of the Western Regional Research Center (1998); serving as Acting Associate Area Director, North Atlantic Area (2004); and, most recently, serving as the Scientific Quality Review Officer in the Office of Scientific Quality and Review.  Dr. Cleveland’s success in these executive assignments eminently qualifies him to be the Director of the SRRC.  Please join me in welcoming Dr. Cleveland to his new assignment.

 

SPRI wishes all the success with the appointment of Dr. Ed Cleveland, as the new building director at the USDA-ARS Southern Regional Research Center and the collaboration with SPRI for the years to come.

 

New Sponsor

  ** NELTEC DENMARK A/S **

SPRI Inc., wishes to welcome Neltec Denmark A/S., as our new sponsor for the 2008/09 Fiscal Year.  Neltec Denmark A/S is based in Bevloft, Denmark.  Their role in the sugar industry is a supplier/other to the industry and dedicated to In-Line Colour equipment for than 15 years and has delivered in-line colour measurement for the production environment.  Neltec has customers in 20 countries that use the instruments to give alarm at colour variations and to optimise their processes.  Neltec Denmark mission is technical excellence to your needs in processing and will join SPRI as a one unit sponsor.  Mr. Bjarne Chr. Nielsen will represent Neltec Denmark A/S on the SPRI Board of Directors.

 

 

The Rededication of the Southern Regional Research Center, August 10, 2007

SPRI has been housed at the Southern Regional Research Center – SRRC/USDA/ARS, since 1941.  Following Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, the Center was damaged along with the surrounding area homes and business.  The area has seen a remarkable recovery as New Orleans continues rebuilding its’ city during the post Katrina years.  A ceremony to recognize the restoration and renovation of the Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS from damages following Hurricane Katrina, will be held on Friday, August 10, 2007.   SRRC/USDA/ARS Center wishes to symbolize its rededication of its mission to the country.  SPRI wishes to assure its member companies with the restoration and renovation of its housed Center that we will continue our mission to support and explore our global efforts to serve the Sugar Industry.

 

**NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR SPRI**

The Board of Directors of Sugar Processing Research Institute (SPRI) has selected Dr. Charley Richard to assume the responsibilities of Managing Director beginning January 2007.  Dr. Richard takes over the leadership role following the retirement of Ms. Mary An Godshall who has served the organization in that capacity for the last seven years.  Dr. Richard brings over 35 years of experience in sugar related research organizations and will attempt to build upon the many successes of the previous managing directors.  Ms. Godshall will continue to serve the organization on a part time basis as technical advisor.

 

Biography

 

Dr. Richard was raised on a sugarcane farm near Thibodaux, LA and received his Masters and Ph.D from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.  He spent much of his career working for the Louisiana sugar industry but in the last five years has initiated a successful international research and consulting firm, C. Richard & Associates.  He has strong ties to numerous research organizations and industry members in the international sugar community which he plans to utilize in his position with SPRI.  Dr. Richard served has a member on SPRI’s Board of Directors for the last 9 years representing Sterling Sugars of Franklin, Louisiana, USA.  Dr. Richard is also a member of numerous sugar related organizations throughout the world and participates in numerous civic organizations in the New Orleans region. 

 

SPRI is a unique research organization with expertise in both cane and beet sugar.  It is an independent, non-profit organization that is supported by member companies, which include cane and beet sugar producers, cane refineries, and supplier and user companies.  SPRI’s recent accomplishments include analytical tests (starch, polysaccharides, phenolics, turbidity) to improve sugar refinery and sugarcane/sugarbeet factory performance, an understanding of the nature of color and odor issues in sugar processing, and its collaborative work with its numerous international sponsors.

 

As managing director, Dr. Richard plans to concentrate on the financial return that member companies should receive from their research investment.  A close ‘hands on’ working relationship with the member companies which stresses collaboration and communication are initiatives that SPRI and its staff will pursue in the immediate future.  The SPRI research efforts are housed at the USDA Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. 

NEW   SPRI Newsletter June 2006

SPRI  has sent out its June 2006 issue of "News from SPRI" newsletter to the directors of SPRI.  Please view by clicking the link provided "Newsletter"  to keep up-to-date on company issues.  With our conference just months away, please make sure to view the conference page.  We have also put together some tips for your trip and hope to meet everyone in Brazil during the Conference Expo.  The final technical program is also posted for viewing.  You may view the technical program by using this link at www.PreliminaryPromgram.html    

Meetings

XXVII ISSCT Congress, Vera Cruz, Mexico, March 7-11, 2010 [http://issct.intnet.mu]

“Sustainability of the Sugar and Sugar-Ethanol Industries,” ACS (American Chemical Society) CARB Division, San Francisco Convention Center, San Francisco, California, USA, March 22, 2010 [Gillian.eggleston@ars.usda.gov]   Program and Abstracts

17th New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium, The Maison Dupuy Hotel –French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, March 26, 2010 [www.spriinc.org]

SPRI 2010 Conference on Sugar Processing Research, Iberville Suites/Ritz Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, March 28-31, 2010, [www.spriinc.org]

SPRI Research Advisory and Review Committee Meeting, Iberville Suites/Ritz Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, March 28, 2010

SPRI Board of Directors/Executive Committee Meeting, Iberville Suites/Ritz Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, March 28, 2010

BEVTECH 2010, Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa, Glendale, Arizona, USA, April 26-28, 2010

Sugar Industry Technologists - S.I.T., May 16-19, 2010, Savannah, Georgia, USA [www.sucrose.com/sit]

American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, 40th Joint Annual Meeting, Bay Point Golf Resort and Spa, Panama City, Florida, USA, June 16-18, 2010 [www.assct.org]

27th Session of ICUMSA Berlin 2010, July 11-14, 2010, Swissotel, Berlin, Germany [www.icumsa.org]

SIMTEC Exhibition and Fair, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 11-16, 2010, Central Sugar Mill [www.simtec-inc.com]

27th International Sweetener Symposium, The Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa, Vail, Colorado, July 30-August 4, 2010 [www.sugaralliance.org/symposium]

83rd Annual SASTA Congress, International Convention Center, Durban, South Africa,  August 25-27, 2010 [www.sasta.co.za]

Fenasucro & Agrocana Expo, Sertãozinho, SP Brasil, August 31- September 3, 2010 [www.fenasucroeagrocana.com.br]

ASSBT- 36th American Society of Sugarbeet Technologists Meeting, Albuquerque Hyatt Regency, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, March 2-5, 2011 [www.bsdf-assbt.org]

Sugar Industry Technologists - S.I.T., May 8-11, 2011, Montreal, Canada [www.sucrose.com/sit]

 

Publications presented by SPRI

SPRI will present several oral presentations at the SPRI 2010 Conference on Sugar Processing Research with the theme “Research in a Changing Sugar Industry,” to be held at the Iberville Suites/Ritz-Carlton Hotel on March 28-31, 2010.  We will post all abstracts shortly.

SPRI will present a paper entitled: “Value-Added Products for a Sustainable Sugar Industry,” at the 239th American Chemical Society (ACS Carbo Division) Spring 2010 National Meeting – Presidential One-Day Symposium “Sustainability of the Sugar and Sugar-Ethanol Industries,” on March 22, 2010 at the San Francisco Convention Center, San Francisco, CA, USA

SPRI will present a paper entitled: “Designing, Producing and Processing “Ultimate” Varieties of Sugarcane,” at the ISSCT XXVII Congress in Veracruz, Mexico on March 7-11, 2010

 

SPRI Abstracts

Abstract for an oral presentation at the SPRI 2010 Conference on March 28-31, 2010, at the Iberville Suites/Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

The SPRI Method for Rapid Analysis of Starch in Raw Cane Sugar, Marianne McKee, Ronnie Triche, Mary An Godshall, and Charley Richard

Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, LA

 

Sugar Processing Research Institute (SPRI) has developed a simple, rapid, and quantitative starch test for use with cane juice and raw cane sugar samples.  Starch that occurs naturally in the cane plant can lead to many problems in the refinery if present in concentrations of approximately 250ppm or higher.  These problems include filterability issues arising from gelatinized starch granules, higher phosphate levels in clarified liquor using phosphatation refining, and poor filterability after clarification in carbonatation refining.  Many methods exist for measuring starch in raw sugars, but no standard method is in use throughout the international sugar industry.  These methods, while oftentimes accurate, are not rapid.  The time required to complete the analysis of the SPRI Rapid Starch Method is 15-20 minutes and multiple samples can be analyzed at once.  Very small amounts of reagents are required and the equipment needed is already present in most mill laboratories.   The rapid method correlates well (>95%) with methods currently used in the industry.  Raw sugars with starch concentrations ranging from 80ppm to 600ppm were tested using the SPRI rapid starch test and the SPRI standard starch test.  The correlation was 0.98 for the two methods.  This paper will discuss the SPRI rapid starch method details, equipment requirements, correlation between current methods and the rapid method as well as results of a collaborative study on this method.

Abstract for an oral presentation at the SPRI 2010 Conference on March 28-31, 2010, at the Iberville Suites/Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Floc Prediction in Refined White Cane Sugar:  The SPRI Rapid Floc Test, Marianne McKee, Ronnie Triche, Mary An Godshall, and Charley Richard, Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, LA

 

As a result of research conducted by SPRI, a rapid test to predict floc formation in refined white cane sugar has been developed.  The test is based on the association SPRI has discovered between an absorbance ratio (AR) and floc potential.  Numerous refined white cane sugars have been tested in our laboratory and a strong correlation exists between the AR ratio and the currently used 10-day floc prediction test.  A white sugar solution is prepared and filtered to remove turbidity.  The absorbance is measured at two different pH levels.  The ratio of the absorbances is known as the Absorbance Ratio (AR).  SPRI has studied many quality parameters of white sugar such as pH, color, turbidity, and total polysaccharide but AR seems to be the quality parameter which correlates best to the floccing potential of the sugar.

Abstract for an oral presentation at the SPRI 2010 Conference on March 28-31, 2010, at the Iberville Suites/Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Testing for Organic Matter in Raw Cane Sugar, Marianne McKee, Ronnie Triche, Mary An Godshall, and Charley Richard, Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, LA

 

Recently it has become obvious that some amount of organic matter can and does make its way through the clarification and crystallization processes in the raw sugar factory from samples tested in different parts of the world.  While this has been seen before it would appear that more examples of this problem are now appearing.  This may be due to raw sugar factories attempting to push more cane material through the factory than what the capacity of the equipment can handle, problems associated with the clarification equipment, or it may be due to a higher level of green cane harvesting throughout the world.  In any event, when this situation occurs, problems in the refinery have been seen.  At the present time, there is no readily available method for measuring organic matter in raw cane sugar.  Tests conducted at SPRI provide a quick method to measure this amount of organic matter and provide a technique for determining when problems may occur as a result of this issue.

Abstract for an oral presentation at the SPRI 2010 Conference on March 28-31, 2010, at the Iberville Suites/Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

The Impact of Sugar Crop Composition on the Production of Sugar, Energy and By-Products, Charley Richard1, Marianne Mckee1, Ronnie Triche1, Anna Hale2 and Mary An Godshall1, 1Sugar Processing Research Institute, New Orleans, LA, Tel: 504-286-4343, Fax: 504-282-5387, Email: spri@ars.usda.gov  2USDA-ARS Sugarcane Research Unit, Houma, LA

 

Previous data published by SPRI has demonstrated important compositional differences in juice samples from different harvest treatments as well as various species of Saccharum.  In breeding material around the world, varieties with extremely high levels of some of these parameters such as brix as well as fiber can be found.  Based on this variability, development of new varieties, development of sustainable production practices and improved processing techniques becomes important considerations for the future.  This paper describes some of these variables, their importance and the need for interdisciplinary communication as industries consider sugar production, energy production or production of other products.  It is theorized that similar differences may occur among various parameters for sugarbeets and sorghum and similar evaluations should be made in these potential energy and sugar crops.

Abstract for an oral presentation at the SPRI 2010 Conference on March 28-31, 2010, at the Iberville Suites/Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Methods Matter – Wither Sugar Methods in the Twenty-First Century?, Mary An Godshalla, Tere P. Johnsonb and Marianne McKeea

aSugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, LA,  bSugarcane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Belle Glade, FL

 

In the early Twentieth Century, the sugar industry was in the forefront of methods for quality control in sugar production, for example, pH control, a necessity provoked by the labile nature of the product.  In fact, the Carbohydrate Division of the American Chemical Society arose out of the sugar industry.  What method to use for any particular situation has been a constantly moving target, as methods have evolved and proliferated.  With the world becoming smaller and more interconnected, the need for modern, standardized methodology has never been greater.  It seems that today there is no excuse to be using toxic chemicals (lead) or outdated gravimetric copper reduction methods (USP method for invert in white sugar), and yet these methods persist and are required by various official bodies.  This talk will discuss areas where there is still a need for better methods in the sugar industry, with an emphasis on the U.S. sugar industry.

            Abstract for an oral presentation at the 1st ESST Conference on 18-20, May 2009 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and published in ZuckerIndustrie, Vol. 134, (59) November 2009, pp. 701-705

 

Biotech in sugarbeet and sugarcane: current status, Thomas K. Schwartz and Charley Richard, Beet Sugar Development Foundation, Denver, CO 80203 and Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., New Orleans, LA  70124

In 2007 the total biotech crop area in the world reached 114.3 mn ha (282 mn acres). This occurred in 3 countries comprised of 12 developing countries and 11 industrial countries.  The top 12 countries are the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, China, Paraguay, South Africa, Uruguay, Philippines, Australia and Spain.  The North American beet sugar industry entered the world of biotechnology in 2006 with a commercial demonstration in Idaho and followed that with a commercial demonstration in Michigan in 2007.  This paper will discuss the events which led up to these demonstrations and results of these two demonstrations. In 2008 the North American beet sugar industry launched biotechnology on a large scale.  This will also be discussed.  The world cane sugar industry has had experimental varieties of biotech sugarcane in Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Colombia, Argentina, U.S. and possibly Indonesia.  Within the U.S. cane sugar industry there are experimental varieties of biotech sugarcane grown in various regions examining the importance of a number of traits including herbicide, insect and disease resistance, as well as other trails.  In an attempt to investigate commercialization, the industry is now conducting an analysis of the cost/benefit ratio along with other issues involved with biotechnology. This paper also discusses the attempts by sugar industries to move sugarcane biotechnology forward.

 

Abstract for an oral presentation at the Sustainability of Sugar and Sugar-Ethanol Industries -  Presidential Theme One-Day Symposium, 239th American Chemistry Society – ACS, Spring 2010 National Meeting, San Francisco Convention Center, San Francisco, CA, March 22, 2010

 

Value-Added Products for a Sustainable Sugar Industry, Mary An Godshall, Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124, Email: ma.godshall@ars.usda.gov

 

            Sugar production, from both beet and cane, is energy and water-intensive.  In today’s social and political environment, industries strive to be environmentally sustainable and “green,” while maintaining profitability.  The sugar industry has three avenues for achieving these goals: improving the over-all efficiency of the process; expanding its market with a range of innovative edible products; and finally, entering into the 21st century’s bio-based economy by developing products to replace petrochemical-derived products.  The industry has done well with the first two of these, but has found barriers to exploiting the latter possibility.  This presentation reviews some of the industry successes with value-added products and the potential for further development in the area of bio-based products.

 

Abstract for an oral presentation at the ISSCT XXVII Congress in Veracruz, Mexico, March 7-11, 2010

 

Designing, Producing and Processing “Ultimate” Varieties of Sugarcane.  Richard, C., Mckee, M. Triche, R.D. and Godshall, M.A. Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124, Email: ma.godshall@ars.usda.gov

Many sugar industries, beet and cane, would predict that in the future they will produce a wide range of products which could include sugar.   To realize this prediction, new varieties must be designed, production practices improved and alternative processing techniques developed.  Sugarcane breeding and selection has moved far beyond the "old days" of crossing the best parents and hoping to select the best segregate as a potential new variety.  Modern breeding procedures and biotechnology offer greater efficiency.  Typically, varieties are selected on the basis of high yield of sugar and characteristics important to agronomic production and pest resistance in each growing region.  It is anticipated that the “ultimate” variety of the future will involve much more analysis than the typically measured juice quality characteristics of brix and pol which along with tonnage, stubbling ability and fiber content, can predict yield of sugar per unit area.  Once produced, high yielding varieties for various products need to be grown in a sustainable manner that provides maximum production with minimal environmental and economic impact.  Processing of these varieties will need to accommodate the specific product being produced whether sugar, energy or some other product.  To demonstrate the importance of quality characteristics of future varieties, Sugar Processing Research Institute has investigated the presence of components that could either enhance or inhibit production of various products from sugarcane.  Significant variability among and within species of sugarcane and related genera have been found for starch, polysaccharides, ash, cations, anions, organic acids and other parameters.  This presentation includes this data and the potential importance of these parameters in future varieties, its importance in a sustainable production system and its importance in processing needs.

 

 

 

USNC

Visit the USNC web page on this site at www.spriinc.org/usnc.html for more information.  ICUMSA has scheduled there next meeting in Berlin on July 11-14, 2010, at the Swissotel in Berlin, Germany.  Please use the link at www.icumsa.org for more information on the 27th Session of ICUMSA.

For more information on becoming a member of the USNC or information regarding the ICUMSA meeting in Águas de São Pedro, Brazil, please contact Mary An Godshall, ma.godshall@ars.usda.gov   or write us at USNC, New Orleans Office, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70124., tel: 504-286-4329, 504-286-4343, fax: 504-282-5387.

Misc

Dr. Richard will be attending the upcoming 27th Sweetener Symposium in Vail, Colorado on July 30-August 4, 2010 and will not be in the SPRI Office. Dr. Charley Richard will be attending the SIMTEC Exhibition and Fair in Brazil and will be out of the office on July 11-17, 2010.  Dr. Richard will also be out of the office on June 21-24, 2010. The 27th Session of ICUMSA will be held in Berlin, Germany and Dr. Marianne Mckee will be attending on July 11-14, 2010. The SPRI offices will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2010, to observe the Labor Day holiday.  The Center will be closed and will reopen on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.  Please reach us via e-mail address at spri@ars.usda.gov, or Charley.Richard@ars.usda.gov

SPRI Office, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA, 70124, 504-286-4343, - 4230, fax: 504-282-5387

 

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