SMB chromatography applied to the separation/purification of fructose fromcashew apple juice

The simulated moving-bed (SMB) technology has been successfully used in sep arations in petrochemical, food and line chemical industries. This work is intended to show a potencial economic alternative for the industrial proces sing of the cashew apple juice. The cashew tree is a native tropical plant abundant in Northeastern Brazil, whose commercial value relies mainly on th e processing of its nut. The penduncle of the fruit is called the cashew ap ple. Despite its high nutrition value, around 90% of the crop spoils on the soil. Simulation and experimental results are presented for SMB separation of fructose from glucose, both present (similar to 40 kg/m(3)) in the aque ous phase of comercial cashew apple juice. Kinetic and equilibrium data for fructose and glucose on packed columns using cation-exchange resins are re ported. Experimental results for SMB operation indicate close to 90% purity in each product (fructose-rich extract and glucose-rich raffinate). Simula ted unit performance and internal profiles agree well with experimental val ues. To increase the added-value and versatility of the products, either a step of isomerization of the raffinate or diverse SMB fluid-solid flowrate ratios may be applied. By this way, a wide range of products may be obtaine d, from nearly pule fructose to 42%, 55% and 90% solutions, which are the s tandard high fructose syrup concentrations. If solids content is convenient ly raised to the usual HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) comercial standards, these products may be used as food additives, thus confirming a potentiall y attractive use of cashew apple juice.