Application of hop b-acids and rosin acids in the sugar industry

In 1994, hop products were successfully used for the first time to combat bacteria in beet extraction. This was a totally new field for the use of hop products, compared with their traditional use in breweries. Today an alkaline solution of hop b-acids is used in sugar factories under the trademark “BetaStab”. Hop b-acids have turned out to be very effective against formation of NO2 and anaerobic infections in tower extractors, which are often operated intentionally with lactic acid fermentation. Hop b-acids have additionally proved effective in the field of thick juice storage. Sometimes, in the case of lactic acid control, a selection of less sensitive organisms is observed and a second disinfectant has to be used, alternating with hops. Thus an idea was born to use rosin acids as a further harmless natural biocide. Results from laboratory trials, full scale trials and some first studies on residues are presented. Rosin acids show a potential to be used in the sugar industry, either alternating with hop products or to create products which are more cost effective.