It is well known that the presence of
Leuconostoc mesenteroides and
Leuconostoc species in sugarcane juice in
sugar factories causes loss of sucrose and
formation of jelly like material called
dextran (a bacterial polysaccharide, which is
polymer of glucose). The polysaccharide
dextran interferes in sugar manufacturing
process in addition to the loss of sucrose
(Priyanka and Santosh, 2011).
The problems caused, the loss of sucrose, increase in viscosity of process syrups, and
poor recovery of sucrose due to inhibition of
crystallization