Sugar beet molasses vinasse is a by-product of ethanol fermentation from sugar beet molasses. Its dark brown colour, which is attributable to the presence of caramels, melanoidins and invert alkaline degradation products, cannot be removed by biological methods. The aim of this work was to determine the efficiency of two adsorbents haloizite clay and powder activated carbon, when used for the decolourisation of sugar beet molasses vinasse. Optimal conditions and extent of decolourisation were related to the concentration and pH of the vinasse, the time of reaction with the resin, and also to the dose and type of the resin used.

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