ASSESSMENT OF SUGAR-BEET ALKALINITY RESER VES

The extent to which it is possible to predict sugar beet alkalinity re serves from the results of beet analyses was tested with 58 beet sampl es. The effective alkalinity in the filtrate following first carbonata tion served as the measure of the alkalinity reserves. The beet sample s were prepared on a laboratory scale, and an appropriate procedure fo r preparation is described. Multiple linear regression calculations ar e used to show the relationships between effective alkalinity and pota ssium, sodium, a-amino acid nitrogen, glucose, fructose, chloride, and nitrate contents. Satisfactory results were obtained only after takin g glucose and fructose into account. Inclusion of the chloride or nitr ate content brought no substantial improvement. In the beet material t ested, a clear correlation existed between the alkali content, on the one hand, and chloride and nitrate, on the other. An equation is prese nted to calculate the alkalinity reserves from the potassium, sodium, and a-amino acid nitrogen contents as well as total glucose and fructo se. The paper discusses its sphere and possibilities of application in comparison with other equations and the role of alkali ions in connec tion with beet anions not precipitable by calcium ions.