DEXTRAN

The Dextran StoryBeautiful, but expensive... The dextran molecule rotates polarised light three times as much as sucrose and therefore its presence in the cane juice, even in minute amounts, leads to false polarimetric (pol) readings. A farmer delivering dextran-contaminated cane could, since the cane is valued on the basis of the pol measurement, receive higher payment than a farmer who has produced good cane. In addition to this, the bad cane will continue to cause problems with further financial losses in the factory, refinery and during the trade of the product at all stages... The bacteria capable of producing dextran from sucrose are mainly Leuconostoc species and are ubiquitous in the soil. They enter the cane at sites of exposed tissue caused by machine harvesting, cutting, burning, freezing and via disease and pests. Wet muddy cane is the most at risk... The name dextran represents a group of related polymers whose structures and properties can vary widely depending on the..

Primary location: Ramsey United Kingdom