NEUTRON-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF FINAL MOLASSES FROM CUBAN SUGAR-INDUSTRY

Thermal and epithermal non-destructive activation analyses have been p erformed on samples of final molasses from 14 different sugar factorie s, covering the most important regions in Cuba. From the first measure ment after irradiation at the Triga Mark reactor (VTT), the concentrat ion of more than 15 elements is reported. The almost constant elementa l composition shows that they can be used equally for different purpos es as animal foodstuff and for the manufacture of biotechnological pro ducts. This work is part of a research project developed in order to e stablish a complete characterization of Cuban sugar molasses.