PHENOL COMPOUNDS IN SUGAR-BEET MOLASSES

Distiller wastewaters (molasses) from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris var. s accharifera) are difficult to purify by anaerobiosis due to their high ) concentration of phenolic compounds which are toxic for the bacteria responsible for the methanogenic process. In this work, the phenolic and ortho-diphenolic compounds were identified. Meta-diphenols and leu coanthocyanins were not found. Twelve phenolic compounds were isolated and identified by TLC, coloured reactions, HPLC and UV spectra: six b enzoic acids (gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxibenzoic, salicylic, van illic and syringic), two cinnamic acids (p-coumaric and ferulic), thre e phenolic aldehydes (protocatechuic, p-hydroxy-benzoic and vanillin) and one phenolic alcohol (guaiacol).