Abstract

ZOSSI, B. Silvia; SOROL, Natalia; SASTRE, Marcos  and  RUIZ, R. Marcelo. Validation of ICUMSA Draft Method No. 3 to determine starch concentration in sugar cane juice. Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2011, vol.88, n.1, pp.23-27. ISSN 1851-3018.

In sugar cane, starch plays a role as energy reservoir and its concentration depends on cane variety and maturity level. This microcomponent interferes with sugar cane manufacturing process, producing problems at different production stages and influencing final products, whenever sugar is used as feedstock for food production. Starch quantification at different production stages is common in process industry, where α-amylase enzyme is used to diminish the negative effects arising from an excess in starch contents. The laboratory of Sección Química of Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres, working under a certified quality management system, always strives to update and replace methodologies with those which produce better results. Thus the application of ICUMSA Draft Method No. 3 was validated for determining starch in sugar cane juice, on account of its simplicity, quick results and the low costs incurred in its use, as compared with other methods previously used in the lab. Parameters were determined to establish its repeatability, reproducibility and uncertainty degrees. Results showed that this technique is appropriate for determining starch in sugar cane juice at concentrations between 43.75 and 500 mg/l, with an uncertainty of ± 6.22% when a security factor of 2 was used.

Keywords : Analytical method; Uncertainty; Starch; Sugar cane juice.

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