ADDING VALUE TO SUGAR-BEET PULP

In many parts of the world, sale of sugar beet pulp in one form or ano ther as animal feed represents the most realistic route for obtaining some value from the huge volumes of this coproduct of beet sugar produ ction. Many other routes to adding value have been developed but few h ave proved commercially viable. This paper reviews the products of phy sical, chemical and biochemical treatments of sugar beet pulp. Work by British Sugar to exploit the hemicellulose fraction of pulp is report ed. Amongst the products developed are dietary fibres, including solub le fibres, and enzymes for use in feedingstuffs. More detailed informa tion is given about two novel food ingredients, a gum replacer and a f at replacer. Manufacturing processes, properties and uses are reported .