Foam Fractionation of the Sweet Potato into High-Value Products

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The fractionation and isolation of certain desirable trace constituents of sweet potato root represents a major technical challenge. The present processing technologies use multiple steps and are too complex to operate economically. The proposed process is simple, inexpensive and efficient in concentrating both beta-carotene and beta-amylase while preserving the biological activity of the beta-amylase. Foam fractionation is a process that promises to be an economical alternative to disposition of the effluent stream by conventional (and costly) waste treatment methods. Phase I research project is intended to provide a proof-of-principle of a novel process for the removal, extraction, fractionation, characterization, and quantification of several sweet potato components using foam fractionation of root water extract. Besides beta-carotene and beta-amylase, two major products we plan to recover, we will also explore the potential for recovering other useful sweet potato constituents, such as starch, fiber, a natural protein detergent as well as other proteins. The proposed technology is water-based, gentle (preserving biological activity) and uses no chemical additives or thermal treatment. Development of this process for high value products from waste agricultural residues should contribute to an enhancement of economic growth and quality of life in the Southern US, especially in rural areas.