Sugar | Reliable molasses analysis - Determination of sucrose and dry substance using MCP Sucromat and Abbemat

Molasses is a viscous by-product of sugar production from sugar cane or sugar beet. After the final crystallization step, it contains residual sucrose along with invert sugars, minerals, and other non-sugar components.

Despite being a by-product of sugar manufacture, molasses is a valuable raw material used in various industries, including animal feed, fermentation, food production, and bio-based chemicals. Its economic value and processability strongly depend on its composition - particularly the remaining sucrose content and the overall dry substance.

Accurate determination of these parameters is essential for several reasons. In the sugar industry, sucrose analysis enables the evaluation of crystallization efficiency and the identification of potential sugar losses. In fermentation and bioethanol production, the available sugar directly influences process yield. In animal feed, both sugar content and dry substance affect nutritional value, handling properties, and product consistency. Across all applications, reliable data supports process optimization, cost control, and consistent product quality.

However, the complex composition of molasses, including optically active non-sugar components, makes analysis challenging. Standardized and robust analytical methods are therefore required to ensure accurate and comparable results.

This application report describes the determination of apparent sucrose and dry substance in molasses using Anton Paar’s MCP Sucromat saccharimeter and Abbemat refractometer. The measurements are performed in accordance with ICUMSA standards, ensuring globally accepted results. The report outlines the measurement principles, provides an overview of the analytical workflow, and highlights the benefits of the Anton Paar solution for routine quality control and process monitoring.