Isolation and recovery of low-calorie pentose sweeteners from agri-fiber waste streams

Overview

This solution addresses the isolation and recovery of pentose sugars from agricultural fiber-based waste streams such as sugarcane bagasse and miscanthus grasses. The core value proposition is the conversion of xylose, a major constituent of hemicellulose, into xylulose, a rare sugar that functions as a low-calorie sweetener substitute. By leveraging bio-catalytic processes analogous to those used in high fructose corn syrup production, this approach enables waste valorization while producing a commercially relevant sweetener precursor.

The technology offers a sustainable pathway for food and beverage manufacturers seeking novel low-calorie sweetener alternatives. Agri-fiber waste streams are abundant and inexpensive feedstocks, making the approach economically attractive for companies interested in circular economy initiatives and sustainable sourcing of rare sugars.

Technical specifications

Process workflow:

• Thermal treatment and enzymatic digestion of agri-fiber waste to break down hemicellulose into mono- and di-saccharides
• Separation and clarification of solubilized sugars from cellulose and lignin fractions
• Custom sugar-specific GC-MS methodology for qualification and quantification of recovered sugars
• Selective crystallization of pentose sugars from glucose
• Bio-catalytic conversion of purified xylose to xylulose using immobilized isomerases (such as Novozymes Sweetzyme) in a continuous flow-through reactor
• Secondary GC-MS characterization to confirm xylulose purity
• Shelf-life stability study (chemical and biological) up to one year

Key features:

• Applicable to multiple agri-fiber feedstocks including sugarcane bagasse and miscanthus grasses
• Uses established enzymatic isomerization technology adapted from industrial corn syrup processing
• In-house analytical methodology for precise sugar characterization
• Produces xylulose, a rare low-calorie sweetener with commercial potential

Technology readiness level

The underlying capabilities have been validated through prior waste valorization projects, including successful thermal and enzymatic breakdown of agri-based waste streams into saccharides, followed by clarification and GC-MS characterization. The bio-catalytic isomerization approach draws on commercially proven technology from the high fructose corn syrup industry. Future validation will include full end-to-end demonstration: hemicellulose depolymerization, sugar separation, selective crystallization, enzymatic xylose-to-xylulose conversion, purity confirmation, and a one-year shelf-life stability study. The complete validation cycle is expected to take a minimum of one year. The technology is currently at an advanced laboratory validation stage, with readiness progressing toward pilot-scale demonstration.