Recovery of betain from sugar beet manufacture process by-products by using reactive extraction method

Betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine) is a small ammonium compound in zwitterion structure, which was first isolated from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). It is an important amino acid that protects cells against osmotic stress and also participates in the methionine cycle in the liver. In this MS thesis, the recovery of betaine from its aqueous solutions and sugar industry by-products, which is widely used in the agriculture, cosmetics, feed, pharmaceutical and health industries by the reactive extraction technique was investigated. The effects of various parameters such as the amount of extractant, the use of different solvent type, temperature and pH at the determined betaine concentration were investigated. The betaine concentration in the aqueous phases was determined by HPLC. The results were used to calculate the distribution coefficient (KD) and degree of extraction (E%) values. Firstly, kinetic studies were performed and betaine transfer from aqueous solutions to the organic phase was completed faster than the transfer rate in the solutions of molasses and vinasse decreased as the phases approached equilibrium. Studies have shown that the initial pH value does not have a significant effect on the recovery of betaine from aqueous solutions. The highest separation efficiencies obtained with molasses and vinasse solutions were at pH = 6 and pH = 5, respectively. The percentage recovery increased with the increase in the initial extractant concentration. Four organic phase solvents were tested in the study, and apolar solvents were observed to be more successful. The highest recovery percentage obtained is E% = 71.2% (KD = 2.47), 67.5% (KD = 2.08) 74.2% (KD = 2.88) for betaine aqueous solution, molasses and vinasse solutions, respectively. The presence of sucrose in the environment does not play a critical role in the separation efficiency. The betaine transferred to the organic phase was recovered by extracting into the second aqueous phase. A significant amount of the betaine in the organic phase was transformed into the second aqueos phase. In the study, it has been shown that betaine can be recovered from aqueous solution by reactive extraction method using suitable solvents and extractants. Keywords: Betaine, Extractant, Molasses, Recovery, Reactive Extraction, Vinasse