A procedure was tested for treating sugars, such as low-color sulfitation products
or washed or whole raw sugars, by moistening with dilute hydrogen peroxide, or by
applying dilute peroxide directly during centrifugation. Twenty to thirty per cent color
reduction was achieved at doses of 100 to 500 mg/kg sugar (ppm). Slight pH drop, if
significant can be offset by making the peroxide alkaline with traces of sodium
hydroxide. Color advantage of peroxide treated sugars was maintained after keeping the
sugars in the laboratory for six months. The cost of this treatment appears to compare
favorably with the estimated cost of traditional refinery de-colorization with activated
carbon or ion exchange resins.