International sugar journal · 2001 · 38 citations · 0 references
EngineeringBiopolymer ProductionFood ProductionAgricultural EconomicsBioplasticSucrose EstersSugar FactoryFood SystemsSustainable AgricultureBiochemical EngineeringFood BiotechnologyPublic HealthFood InnovationFood PolicySugar IndustryNatural PolymerBiomolecular EngineeringBiorefinery ProductBiotechnologyValue ProductsMicrobiologyTechnologySustainable Production
Current low sugar prices is certainly forcing the issue of exploring possible opportunities on adding value to the product. One avenue is through the conversion of sucrose to a fine chemical or food product. This paper reviews high value products derived from sucrose on the market or with commercial potential. Sucrose esters are especially promising. Microbial production of natural biodegradable plastics, using sucrose as the carbohydrate source is an exciting new area. It is envisioned that the sugar factory of the future will be an integrated producer of a range of low to high value products, whose manufacture is scaled up or down as needed.