MOLASSES – GREAT USES IN LIFE

With a yield of more than 15 million tons of sugarcane per year, the sugar industry in addition to supplying the market for sugar products. Agricultural by-products have also been used to produce more than 600,000 liters of molasses. Although this is the final product in the production process. But it contains an abundant source of nutrition, so it can be applied to many different fields. And bring a lot of economic value.

1. What is molasses?

Sugar molasses, also known as molasses, sugar rust... is the last product left after the sugar has been withdrawn by the method of concentration or crystallization. It is dark black-brown in color, liquid and very smooth. However, each batch of production will have different consistency and density, but in general, they all have 3 main ingredients: sugar, sugar-free organic matter, and minerals. Concrete:

- Sugar: is the main component of molasses consisting of soluble glucides (double sugars, and simple sugars), with the main content of sucrose.

- Sugar-free organic matter determines physical properties, especially adhesive viscosity. With the main ingredients are glucites such as starch, N-containing compounds and organic acids.

- Minerals: Na, K, Mg and sulfur are nutrient-rich minerals found in molasses. As well as small amounts of other beneficial trace elements such as: Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn

2. How is molasses produced?

Molasses can be produced from sugarcane, sugar beets, etc. In which, accounting for the majority of about 75% of molasses production is produced from sugarcane, the rest comes from sugar beets. With the production process taking place as follows:

• The harvested sugarcane is cleaned of leaves and roots, cleaned and cut into small pieces. These small pieces of sugarcane will be fed into the sugarcane juice press.

• The collected sugarcane juice will be brought to a boil to concentrate. Collect the sugar crystals and separate them into their own sugar finished product.

• The remaining concentrate is molasses, which is taken and concentrated for about 3 times. The molasses cannot add sugar crystals, so the final result is sugar molasses.

3. Uses of molasses

- Industrial wastewater treatment

In the process of industrial wastewater treatment, businesses today often choose to raise aerobic microorganisms. To ensure safety and minimize the use of chemical solutions in production. And molasses is an effective by-product in supporting microorganisms to grow. Because they are the best source of nutrition for microorganisms. Through vitamins, minerals... in the molasses. Thereby, helping microorganisms to work strongly, ensuring an effective wastewater treatment process.

- Ammonium and pH control in ponds

Molasses helps control the content of ammonium in ponds with a composition containing more than 40% carbon. Therefore, to balance 1g of nitrogen, about 30 grams of molasses are needed as a result of testing from the Bribie Domestic Aquaculture Research Center. And the toxic gases NH3 and NO2 are also gradually removed during the pond water treatment process. In addition, in pond water, a lot of microorganisms are needed to treat organic matter.

Therefore, when adding molasses to pond water, they will provide sources of nutrients for heterotrophic microorganisms in ponds to grow. At the same time, it promotes the decomposition of leftovers and shrimp manure. pH balance and better control of algae and bacteria. However, it is necessary to ensure sufficient oxygen during the use of molasses. Because aerobic microorganisms need energy to carry out the assimilation of nitrogen sources in ponds. And what's more, it will cause a decrease in pH if there is not enough oxygen for the microorganisms to absorb the nutrients

- Used for microbial composting

With a nutrient-rich composition, molasses becomes an ideal food source for microorganisms in compost to grow. It helps to promote the composting process to take place quickly, while shortening the composting time. Create a safe fertilizer that is good for the soil and plants. Thereby, helping to replenish nutrients and yield for plants. Increase profits for farmers.

- Used as an additive in animal feed

Because with the inherent sweetness of molasses, it will stimulate the taste buds of pets. Help them eat more deliciously. At the same time, it provides additional sources of nutrients from molasses, compensating for the amount of low-nutrient food that pets often eat. Through solutions such as mixing molasses with food, water, etc. Promote farming productivity.

In general, molasses is only a by-product in the sugar industry. But it brings a lot of value to different industries.

Vietnam is one of the countries that is being "invaded" by waste and on average, about 1.8 million tons of waste are discharged into the environment each year, due to inadequate management and treatment. This, has caused extremely serious consequences not only in the environment but also in the health of people living in nearby areas. In particular, the odor of garbage not only causes discomfort but it is also a silent agent that causes dangerous diseases for humans.

Toxic gas comes from the landfill.

Waste is divided into 2 main groups: inorganic and organic.

Organic groups are groups of waste that are easily decomposed such as straw, stems, branches, leaves, etc. But the inorganic group is quite the opposite, because when it decomposes in the sun and some species of bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) which smells like rotten eggs and has a very strong effect on the human nervous system. When we are in direct contact or have to live in a polluted environment for too long, it will affect the respiratory tract at different levels:

Extreme level: the subject will feel dizzy, dizzy, shortness of breath, vomiting... It often occurs in pregnant women, the elderly, and children.

Acute level: are subjects who have lived in the odor for a relatively long time, which will cause diseases such as upper respiratory tract inflammation and lower respiratory tract inflammation.

Chronic level: is when the subject has been exposed to bad odors for a long time, causing pulmonary fibrosis, hypotension, melasma, etc. even, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer.

In addition, rotting animal carcasses will produce amine gas from rotting vapors and hydrogen supate derivatives from the decomposition of garbage, causing stimulation of the rapid heartbeat, affecting human health.

Other potential pathogens.

In addition, the landfill is also an ideal place for dangerous pathogenic organisms such as insects, flies, rats, etc. These are intermediate hosts that cause diseases not only for humans but also for livestock. We can see that some of the main diseases such as: dengue fever, malaria transmitted by mosquitoes, plague caused by rats, yellow fever caused by flies...  Moreover, in the garbage dumps, there is also a breeding ground for harmful bacteria such as typhoid bacteria, dysentery bacteria, and worm eggs.

Which solution is the above problem.

In areas affected by odors from waste, people can dispose of them by closing their doors and using indoor deodorants, or using rows of trees to prevent odors in residential areas.

In addition, the microbiological solution to deodorize pure waste - Biofix SOC E is also one of the optimal solutions to solve the above problem. Because, the product contains beneficial microbial strains and biocatalysts, which promote the ability to decompose and eliminate odor agents, thanks to the latest technologies in microbiology and chemistry. In particular, the product is of all-natural origin, so it is not harmful to humans and pets and does not corrode metals.