Utilization of Palm Wastes for Production of Invert Sugar

An economically attractive technique was adopted using date palm fibers as a new carrier for invertase adsorption and for invert sugar production. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the results of incubation of Baker's yeast with palm fibers in aqueous solution at 40° C for half an hour. CO2 produced from this reaction was employed as a reactant and it succeeded to modify the cellulosic surface of the palm fibers. This increased the capacity of invertase that had been secreted from Baker's yeast to be immobilized tightly on the cellulosic surface of the fibers. These results confirmed by FTIR and SEM. Characterization of the enzyme indicated that 1 gram of immobilized invertase on such wastes can produce 600 mg of invert sugar. By this technique, Egypt would be able to supply 6 million kg invert sugar per year. Molasses used instead of sucrose to assess the sustainability of the process.