Formation of Furans during the Acid Hydrolysis of Agar and Their Removal by Treatments of Lime, Steam-stripping and Hydrophobic Resins

한천의 산 당화에 의한 Furan화합물의 생성 및 제거

The ratio of saccharification and formation of furans during the acid hydrolysis of agar with oxalic acid and sulfuric acid were examined base on the contents of the agar and acids. The ratio of saccharification in oxalic acid appeared to be 51~59% somewhat higher than 49~61% of sulfuric acid. Formation of the furans during the acid hydrolysis increased proportional to the contents of agar and acid. The relative formation ratio was high 10~47% for furfural (FUR) and 15~29% for hydroxy-methyl furfural (HMF) in 0.5~1.25% sulfuric acid rather than those of oxalic acid. When comparing the removal efficiency of the furans using an alkali treatment, steam stripping and hydrophobic resins, FUR was eliminated 60% by the alkali treatment, 62~90% by steam stripping and 71~75% by Amberlite XAD4 and 7HP, while HMF was removed to low levels of 10.5%, 4~17% and 13~25%, respectively. The loss of reducing sugar was also observed in process of the removal of furans, and the loss rate was the level of 2~4% in alkali treatment, 11~16% in steam stripping and 7~9% in Amberlite resins.