Coconut sugar separation from coconut flavor compounds
A two-step process to purify coconut sugar by extracting objectionable flavor compounds with solvents and concentrating sugars via membrane filtration. Designed for food industry applications requiring clean-label coconut sugar ingredients.
Overview
This research proposes a two-pronged approach to separate and remove objectionable flavor compounds from coconut sugar, producing a purified coconut sugar concentrate. The process first uses solvent extraction to bind and remove flavor compounds, then applies membrane filtration to separate the flavors, solvents, and water from the sugar solution. The result is a concentrated coconut sugar product with improved flavor purity suitable for food and beverage applications where clean taste profiles are desired.
Technical specifications
The proposed method combines two complementary separation technologies:
- Solvent extraction: Organic solvents are used to selectively extract flavor compounds from coconut sugar concentrates because most flavor compounds are soluble in organic solvents while sugars remain in the aqueous phase. The sugar is washed multiple times to achieve a pure sugar concentrate.
- Membrane filtration: Membrane technology is then applied to remove water, solvents, and extracted flavor compounds from the sugar solution, leaving the sugars concentrated in the retentate.
The research team at the University of Minnesota has prior experience using membranes to remove unwanted compounds from a variety of food solutions and has worked on extraction of flavors and phytochemicals from diverse food matrices.
Technology readiness level
This research is at an early stage. Future validation steps include identifying the optimal solvent for extracting objectionable flavors from coconut sugar concentrate, developing the solvent extraction process, and identifying cost-effective and efficient membranes for removing the extracted flavors, solvents, and water from the sugar solution.
About University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is a flagship, comprehensive public research university spanning multiple campuses, with a large research enterprise and clinical integration. Industry engages through co-located labs on the Twin Cities campuses, access to an academic health system for clinical translation, and pilot and field-testing facilities that speed scale-up. A statewide extension network and outreach centers provide real-world sites and data partnerships across Minnesota, while proximity to a dense medtech and Fortune 500 corridor enables frequent collaboration. Research is supported by competitive federal funding, including NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, sponsored research agreements, and startup incubation to speed commercialization.
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