Value-Added Utilization of Sugarcane Juice Through Levulinic Acid Synthesis

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a significant economic crop in Thailand, with potential for value addition through the synthesis of levulinic acid, a crucial compound in various industries such as bioplastics, chemicals, and biofuels. This study aims to examine the effect of pre-harvest storage duration (0-5 weeks) on the yield, composition, and physical properties of sugarcane juice, as well as to determine the optimal conditions for producing and purifying levulinic acid from sugarcane juice. The factors considered in this study include sulfuric acid concentration (0.01 and 0.03 mol/L), temperature (160, 180, and 200°C), reaction time (1 and 3 hours), and sugarcane juice concentration (60% and 80% by volume). The results revealed that pre-harvest storage duration (0-5 weeks) had no significant effect on the yield, density, pH, and sweetness of the juice, but did impact the total sugar and reducing sugar content. The optimal conditions for levulinic acid production were found to be a sulfuric acid concentration of 0.03 mol/L, a temperature of 180°C, and a reaction time of 3 hours, yielding the highest concentration of levulinic acid at 22.92±0.9 mg/g. Purification of levulinic acid was achieved by adding diatomaceous earth, which helped precipitate impurities and increased the levulinic acid concentration by 50%. However, the complete removal of sulfuric acid and some impurities was not achieved. Therefore, further process development is recommended to achieve a levulinic acid purity of up to 95%.