SUCROSE COMPOSITION FREE OF LINOLEIC ACID AND PROCESS FOR ITS PURIFICATION

Abstract

SUCROSE COMPOSITION FREE OF LINOLEIC ACID AND METHOD FOR ITS PURIFICATION The present invention relates to a method for purifying an aqueous sucrose composition from linoleic acid, said method comprising adding activated carbon to the aqueous sucrose composition. The invention also relates to a method for preparing sucrose free of linoleic acid.

Description

Title of the invention: SUCROSE COMPOSITION FREE OF LINOLEIC ACID AND METHOD FOR ITS PURIFICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to a process for purifying sucrose and a process for preparing sucrose substantially free of long-chain fatty acid, in particular free of linoleic acid. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] France is the world's second largest producer of beet sugar. Approximately three-quarters of beet production is used for the production of edible sugar.

[0003] Food sugar is used for direct consumption by the consumer (11% of production) and for indirect consumption via the food industry (58% of production). Consequently, the organoleptic properties of beet sugar play an important role.

[0004] Non-sugar materials within commercial sugar, such as pyrazines or short-chain fatty acids (Batista and Grimm, J. Chromatogr. Sci., 2002, 40, pp. 127-132), have been identified as sources of off-flavor and off-odor that degrade the organoleptic properties of food sugar.

[0005] The Applicant, after extensive studies of the composition of beets, the growing conditions and the sugar obtained, has demonstrated that a long-chain fatty acid, linoleic acid, is a photosensitive precursor which can lead to undesirable degradation compounds in the finished products and consequently a source of off-odors in food sugar. It has found that the usual beet sugar production and purification process does not allow the elimination of linoleic acid. Indeed, analysis of commercial products has revealed linoleic acid contents whose degradation risks generating undesirable degradation compounds in the finished products and in the food compositions containing it.

[0006] There is therefore a real need to provide a process for purifying beet sugar from linoleic acid residues.

[0007] Chinese patent application CN106902732 describes sorption agents capable of reducing the content of pyrazines or short-chain fatty acids in the final syrup before crystallization. However, the process according to CN106902732 does not allow the elimination of linoleic acid and the production of odorless sugar.

[0008] Surprisingly, the use of activated carbon during the refining or purification of beet sugar allows the reduction of linoleic acid below the analytical and olfactory detection threshold. SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention relates to a method for purifying an aqueous sucrose composition from long chain fatty acids, in particular linoleic acid. The method comprises contacting the aqueous sucrose composition with activated carbon, by dispersing the activated carbon in the aqueous composition or by filtering the composition through a layer of activated carbon, and recovering the aqueous composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprising less than 0.10 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter.

[0010] In one embodiment, the activated carbon is granular comprising particles whose average size is less than 1.6 mm, preferably 1.2 to 1.4 mm, or in powder form comprising particles whose average size is less than 0.6 mm, preferably 0.45 to 0.55 μm.

[0011] In one embodiment the activated carbon is granular and comprises particles whose average size is less than 1.6 mm, preferably 1.2 to 1.4 mm and has a specific surface area of ​​800 to 1100 m2 / g, preferably 850 to 1050 m2 / g. According to one embodiment, the activated carbon has an iodine index greater than or equal to 950 mg / g and / or a molasses index greater than or equal to 210.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the aqueous sucrose composition has from 40° to 60°Bx, preferably 50°Bx.

[0013] According to a variant, the activated carbon is granular and in which method the contacting of the composition with the activated carbon is by filtration or elution of the composition through a layer of activated carbon on a fixed bed. During this implementation, the method is typically carried out in continuous mode.

[0014] According to a second variant, the activated carbon is dispersed in the aqueous composition in the form of a powder comprising particles whose average size is less than 0.6 mm, preferably from 0.45 to 0.55 μm. According to this variant, the method further comprises the addition of lime and carbon dioxide to the aqueous sucrose composition. The addition of the activated carbon, lime and carbon dioxide to the aqueous sucrose composition may be simultaneous or sequential.

[0015] According to one embodiment, when the addition of the activated carbon, lime and carbon dioxide to the aqueous sucrose composition is carried out sequentially, the method comprises the steps of:

[0016] i. adding lime, thereby alkalizing the aqueous sucrose composition, then

[0017] ii. diffusing carbon dioxide into the mass of the alkalized aqueous composition obtained in step (i), thereby generating a first suspension, then

[0018] iii. filtering the first suspension obtained in step (ii) and retaining the filtrate, then

[0019] iv. adding activated carbon to the filtrate obtained in step (iii), this generating a second suspension, then

[0020] v. diffusing carbon dioxide into the mass of the second suspension obtained in step (iv), this generating a third suspension, then

[0021] vi. filtering the third suspension obtained in step (v) and retaining the filtrate constituting a composition essentially free of linoleic acid.

[0022] The aqueous sucrose composition which can be purified according to the invention may be an aqueous sucrose extract obtained from an aqueous sugar beet extract or from an aqueous sugar cane extract.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for producing sucrose essentially free of linoleic acid comprising less than 0.10 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter and which comprises the purification method according to any one of the embodiments mentioned above. DEFINITIONS

[0024] In the present invention, the terms below are defined as follows:

[0025] - “Carbonation” refers to the reaction of lime with carbon dioxide in an aqueous medium resulting in the generation of limestone particles (CaCO3) suspended in the aqueous medium. Carbonation is used as a purification step for sugar beet or cane sucrose extracts. The generated limestone particles adsorb non-sugar compounds and facilitate their precipitation. Typically, carbonation consists of diffusing carbon dioxide into the sucrose extract (diffusion juice) previously alkalized with lime. According to one embodiment, the purification of sucrose comprises at least one carbonation step. According to one embodiment, the purification of sucrose comprises two carbonation steps. - “activated carbon” or “activated carbon” means an amorphous structure composed mainly of carbon atoms, generally obtained after a step of carbonization of a precursor at high temperature. Activated carbon generally has a large specific surface area and a high degree of porosity which give it adsorbent properties. According to a first variant of the invention, the activated carbon is granular activated carbon (GAC). According to one embodiment, the granular activated carbon comprises particles whose average size is less than 1.6 mm, preferably 1.2 to 1.4 mm. Typically, the granular activated carbon has a specific surface area of ​​800 to 1100 m2 / g, preferably 850 to 1050 m2 / g or approximately 950 m2 / g. According to a second variant of the invention, the activated carbon is powdered activated carbon (PAC). According to one embodiment, the powdered activated carbon comprises particles whose average size is less than 0.6 mm, preferably from 0.45 to 0.55 μm. - “Lime” means a strongly basic, hydrophilic dry matter obtained by calcining limestone. Lime consists essentially of calcium oxide with the empirical formula CaO. It may also contain magnesium oxide and impurities based on calcium or magnesium carbonates and hydroxides, clays, or silico-aluminates. - “Between X and Y” concerns the range of values ​​between X and Y, the limits X and Y being included in said range. - “Degree Brix” or “°Brix” refers to the scale used to measure the sweetening power of a compound or composition. The higher the degree Brix, the higher the sweetening power. Furthermore, the degree Brix indicates the equivalent of the dry matter of sugar in aqueous solution. One degree Brix is ​​equivalent to 1 gram of sucrose per 100 grams of solution. - “About” or “approximately,” placed before a figure or number, means plus or minus 10% of the face value of that figure or number. - “flocculation” refers to the physicochemical process in which suspended matter in a liquid clumps together to form larger, usually very porous, particles called flocs. Flocculation can occur naturally or can be accelerated by adding a flocculant. Usually, the flocculant is a polymer that adsorbs suspended particles onto its surface or a cationic agent that binds with the suspended particles. - “Sugar” unless otherwise indicated, the term sugar in this application means sucrose. “Sucrose” refers to alpha-D-glucopyranosyl- ( l=>2)-beta-D-fructofuranoside CAS No. 57-50-1, a disaccharide containing one glucose unit and one fructose unit, these two units being linked by an alpha l-beta2 bond. - “Dry matter” (DM or MS) is the residual solid matter after evaporation of the water contained in a product or composition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] According to the usual process, beet sugar is obtained and purified as follows.

[0027] Sugar beets are washed and sliced ​​into cosettes, then scalded and extracted using hot water, typically by counter-current solid / liquid extraction, resulting in diffusion juice. The diffusion juice is subsequently purified to remove suspended matter and to remove as much non-sugar as possible. dissolved.

[0028] The purification of the diffusion juice is carried out by a calco-carbonic treatment. Initially, lime is gradually added to the diffusion juice, this allowing the coagulation of colloids and proteins, the precipitation of salts and the neutralization reactions of organic acids. Subsequently, an excess of lime is added at a temperature of 50-60 °C and then 85 °C, this decomposing ammonium salts, amides, invert sugar, fats and colloids such as pectin.

[0029] The juice thus alkalized with lime is subjected to a first carbonation step by treatment with carbon dioxide, this completing the decomposition of the non-sugar materials and generating calcium carbonate particles. Calcium carbonate being insoluble, precipitates and entrains the non-sugar materials and serves as a filtration aid. The filtration of the suspension thus obtained leads to the first clear juice which is subjected to a second carbonation step to precipitate the calcium hydroxide remaining in the juice after the first carbonation, and the calcium which is bound to the organic acids. The second carbonation step leads to obtaining the second clear juice.

[0030] The second clear juice is sent to the sugar factory for evaporation and crystallization by centrifugation, drying and cooling or the final sugar product. It should be noted that a two or three boiling jet system is often used, but only the syrup from the first jet is dried, cooled and packaged as the final white sugar product. The remaining sugars are recovered from the liquor and remelted to allow recycling in the sugar factory to ensure a good yield.

[0031] Analysis of commercial products has revealed linoleic acid contents likely to generate degradation products harmful to the organoleptic properties of the final sugar and the food compositions containing it. This observation demonstrates the fact that the usual sucrose production and purification process is unable to eliminate linoleic acid.

[0032] The present invention therefore relates to a method for purifying an aqueous sucrose composition from linoleic acid and a method for preparing a sucrose composition, preferably from sugar beet, which is essentially free of linoleic acid.

[0033] More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for purifying an aqueous sucrose composition from long-chain fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. The method comprises contacting the aqueous sucrose composition with activated carbon, by dispersing the activated carbon in the aqueous composition or by filtering the composition through a layer of activated carbon, and recovering the aqueous composition substantially free of acid. linoleic acid comprising less than 0.10 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter.

[0034] In one embodiment, contacting the aqueous sucrose composition with activated carbon is by dispersing the activated carbon in the aqueous composition.

[0035] In one embodiment, contacting the aqueous sucrose composition with activated carbon is filtration of the composition through a layer of activated carbon. In this implementation, the method is typically carried out in a continuous or batch mode, preferably in a continuous mode. According to one embodiment, the layer of activated carbon is a fixed bed of activated carbon, and the aqueous sucrose composition passes through the layer of activated carbon by filtration or by elution. In one embodiment, the elution is countercurrent or cocurrent.

[0036] In one embodiment, the purification method according to the invention comprises adding activated carbon to the aqueous sucrose composition. This addition results in a suspension of the activated carbon particles in the continuous aqueous phase. Subsequently, the continuous aqueous phase of the suspension is recovered, preferably by filtration.

[0037] In one embodiment, from 0.5 to 1.0% of activated carbon is added by weight relative to the weight of the aqueous sucrose composition. In one embodiment, from 0.6 to 0.8% or from 0.6 to 0.7% of activated carbon is added by weight relative to the weight of the aqueous sucrose composition.

[0038] In one embodiment, the activated carbon is kept in suspension for 10 minutes to 2 hours, 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, or about 1 hour.

[0039] In one embodiment, the activated carbon is kept in suspension at a temperature of 45°C to 75°C, preferably 50°C to 70°C, typically about 60°C.

[0040] By this method, the recovered continuous phase (filtrate) is essentially free of linoleic acid.

[0041] In one embodiment, the aqueous sucrose extract is an extract of sugar beet or sugar cane, preferably sugar beet. In one embodiment, the aqueous sucrose extract is obtained by solid-liquid extraction with water, preferably by countercurrent diffusion.

[0042] When the composition is a solid sucrose composition, the method further comprises solubilizing the sucrose composition in water, this generating an aqueous sucrose composition, preferably having from 40° to 60°Bx, even more preferably 50°Bx.

[0043] In one embodiment, substantially free of linoleic acid refers to a sucrose composition comprising less than 0.2 ppm linoleic acid, typically less than 0.15 ppm linoleic acid, preferably from 0 to 0.2 ppm of linoleic acid, more preferably from 0 to 0.15 ppm of linoleic acid. Parts per million (ppm) designating one milligram of linoleic acid per kilogram of dry matter of the composition.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprises less than 0.15 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter, preferably less than 0.10 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprises less than 0.12 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter. According to one embodiment, the composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprises less than 0.07 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter. According to one embodiment, the composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprises less than 0.02 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter.

[0046] The filtrate may subsequently be subjected to any treatment step known in the art for its condensation and crystallization, such as centrifugation and / or vacuum evaporation.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the method does not comprise the addition of chitosan or diatomaceous earth. According to one embodiment, the activated carbon is not associated with the chitosan or diatomaceous earth.

[0048] In one embodiment, the activated carbon is powdered or granular.

[0049] According to a first variant, when the activated carbon is granular, it advantageously has the following properties:

[0050] - particles whose average size (diameter) is less than 1.6 mm, preferably 1.2 to 1.4 mm, and / or - a specific surface area of ​​800 to 1100 m2 / g, preferably 850 to 1050 m2 / g - an iodine index greater than or equal to 950 mg / g - a molasses index greater than or equal to 210.

[0051] According to a second variant, when the activated carbon is in powder form, the method further comprises the addition of lime and carbon dioxide. According to one embodiment, the average particle size of the powdered activated carbon is less than 0.6 mm, preferably from 0.45 to 0.55 μm.

[0052] In one embodiment, the addition of the activated carbon, lime, and carbon dioxide to the composition is simultaneous or sequential.

[0053] In one embodiment of the second variant, the method comprises

[0054] i. adding lime, this alkalizing the aqueous composition comprising sucrose, then ii. diffusing carbon dioxide into the mass of the alkalized aqueous composition obtained in step (i), this generating a first suspension, then iii. filter the first suspension obtained in step (ii) and retain the filtrate (first clear juice), then iv. adding activated carbon to the first filtrate obtained in step (iii), this generating a second suspension, then v. diffusing carbon dioxide into the mass of the second suspension obtained in step (iv), this generating a third suspension, then vi. filtering the third suspension obtained in step (v) and retaining the filtrate (second clear juice) constituting a composition essentially free of linoleic acid.

[0055] The filtration step(s) according to this variant may be carried out by decantation, centrifugation or filtration on a support. According to one embodiment, the decantation is carried out in the presence of a flocculant, typically preferably an anionic flocculant.

[0056] Alternatively, the invention relates to the use of activated carbon, as defined above, for the purification of an aqueous sucrose composition. The use according to the invention may incorporate the steps of the method according to any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0057] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for preparing sucrose essentially free of linoleic acid. This method comprises the steps of the purification method according to any one of the embodiments described above.

[0058] According to a first variant, the method for preparing a sucrose composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprises the steps of:

[0059] - preparing an aqueous sucrose composition, preferably 40° to 60°Bx, typically 50°Bx, then - then - add activated carbon, generating a suspension, then - filter the suspension obtained and retain the filtrate constituting a composition essentially free of linoleic acid.

[0060] According to a second variant, the method for preparing a sucrose composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprises the steps of:

[0061] - preparing an aqueous extract of sucrose, preferably an aqueous extract of sucrose, preferably an aqueous extract of sugar beet, even more preferably an aqueous counter-current extract of sugar beet, then - add lime, activated carbon and carbon dioxide, generating a suspension, then - filter the suspension obtained and retain the filtrate (clear juice) constituting a composition essentially free of linoleic acid.

[0062] In one embodiment, the method comprises two carbonation steps. According to this embodiment, lime, powdered activated carbon, and carbon dioxide are added sequentially. According to this embodiment, the method for preparing a sucrose composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprises the steps of:

[0063] i. prepare an aqueous extract of sucrose, then ii. add lime, this alkalizing the aqueous extract, then iii. diffusing carbon dioxide into the mass of the alkalized aqueous extract obtained in step (ii), this generating a first suspension, then iv. filter the first suspension obtained in step (iii) and retain the filtrate (first clear juice), then v. adding powdered activated carbon to the first filtrate obtained in step (iv), this generating a second suspension, then vi. diffusing carbon dioxide into the mass of the second suspension obtained in step (v), this generating a third suspension, then vii. filtering the third suspension obtained in step (vi) and retaining the filtrate (second clear juice) constituting a composition essentially free of linoleic acid.

[0064] The invention also relates to a sucrose composition essentially free of linoleic acid which is capable of being obtained or which is directly obtained according to the method of the invention.

[0065] Example 1: Analytical methods

[0066] Sample preparation and calibration

[0067] Acidified water was prepared by adding 37% HCl to ultrapure water to pH 2.5. Blanks were prepared from 25 g of high purity low endotoxin (HPLE) sucrose, 250 ml of acidified water and 250 ml of ultrapure water. Samples were prepared from 25 g of HPLE sugar, 3 g of analyte, 250 ml of acidified water and 250 ml of ultrapure water. The blanks were spiked with 0 ml, 1.5 ml and 2.5 ml of solution containing 16 mg / l linoleic acid. The internal control used was 1.25 ml of 16 mg / l C17 margaric acid.

[0068] Extraction of linoleic acid on C 1S resin

[0069] Solid phase extraction tubes (C18 Bond Elut Fatty Acid Extraction Tubes, Agilent Technologies) with 1 g of resin were used for extraction of fatty acids from the sugar matrix using ethyl acetate or dichloromethane.

[0070] Derivatization of fatty acids

[0071] The fatty acids extracted as described above were derivatized by fatty acid methyl esterification (FAME) and free fatty acid (FFA) by mixing with 0.5 N sodium hydroxide and methanol at 70 °C for 4 min. Then, Boron fluoride in methanol was added in the absence of oxygen and at 70 °C for 4 minutes. After cooling, saturated sodium chloride was added to lower the surface tension and prevent foaming. The products were then extracted with hexane and dried.

[0072] Quantification using a gas chromatograph and flame ionization detector (GC-FID)

[0073] GC-FID analysis was performed using a DB225 column supplied by J&W 122-2232 (30 m, 0.32 mm internal diameter, 0.25 µm film thickness) starting at 70 °C and increasing to 180 °C at 20 °C min *. The temperature increase rate was then adjusted at 3 °C min 1 to a final temperature of 220 °C. The injector and FID detector temperatures were 220 °C and 300 °C respectively. The injection volume was 2 µl. Helium was used as the carrier gas.

[0074] Example 2: Purification process by carbonation

[0075] The diffusion juice is obtained by extraction of sugar beet cosettes and heated to 72 °C. Lime milk (8 to 10 g / L of Ca(OH)2 suspension in water) is added gradually in 5 to 6 steps over a period of 10 minutes to an alkalinity of 0.10 g CaO / L. After 10 minutes, the limed juice is heated to 83 °C. The juice is carbonated with CO2 to pH 11.1-11.2 or the target alkalinity of 0.08-0.15 g CaO / L. The solids are decanted using an anionic flocculant or filtered. The clear juice is heated to 90 °C and carbonated with CO2 to pH 9.2-9.4 or a target alkalinity of 0.02-0.03 gCaO / L.

[0076] The results of the analysis of linoleic acid content are presented in Table 1. The ranges of values ​​take into account the variability depending on the plant and the region of beet cultivation.

[0077] [Tables 1] Sample Linoleic acid content (mg / kg DM) Harvested beets 30-200 mg / kg beet Diffusion juice 20-120 1st clear juice 3.0-6.0 2nd clear juice 6-10 Final sugar 0.5-1.0

[0078] Example 3: Comparative example of a filtration process through an adsorbent resin.

[0079] A sucrose composition was obtained according to Example 2. The batches of sugar thus obtained contained from 0.9 to 1.0 mg / kg of linoleic acid, depending on the factory and the region of beet cultivation. A sugar sample comprising from 0.9 to 0.95 mg / kg of linoleic acid was dissolved in water at approximately 50Bx. The resulting syrup contained 1.17 ppm of linoleic acid and was subjected to a fixed-bed adsorption step equipped with an adsorbent resin with a specific surface area greater than 800 m2 / g (DowOptipore SD2®).

[0080] The syrup thus purified contained 0.2 ppm of linoleic acid.

[0081] Example 4: Comparative example of a filtration process through an anionic resin.

[0082] A sucrose composition was obtained according to Example 2. The batches of sugar thus obtained contained from 0.9 to 1.0 mg / kg of linoleic acid, depending on the factory and the region of beet cultivation. A sample of sugar comprising from 0.9 to 0.95 mg / kg of linoleic acid was dissolved in water at approximately 50Bx. The syrup thus obtained contained 1.17 ppm of linoleic acid and subjected to a fixed bed adsorption step equipped with an anionic resin resin having a specific surface area greater than 800 m2 / g (Purolite A502®).

[0083] Example 5: Purification process with granular activated carbon

[0084] A sucrose composition was obtained according to Example 2. The batches of sugar thus obtained contained from 0.9 to 1.0 mg / kg of linoleic acid, depending on the plant and the region of beet cultivation. A sample of sugar comprising from 0.9 to 0.95 mg / kg of linoleic acid was dissolved in water at about 50Bx. The syrup thus obtained contained 0.92 ppm of linoleic acid. The syrup is doped with 0.25 ppm of linoleic acid before the refinement treatment as follows. This solution was contacted with 0.69% by weight of granular activated carbon (Chemviron® with a molasses index > 210, iodine index > 950 mg / g, average particle diameter of 1.2 to 1.4 mm and specific surface area of ​​950 m2 / g) for 1 h at 60 °C.

[0085] After 1 h of contact time, the granulated activated carbon was removed and the remaining linoleic acid concentration in the sucrose syrup was analyzed. The result obtained was 0.07 ppm of linoleic acid. Treatment with granular activated carbon can reduce the linoleic acid concentration by 94%.

[0086] It should be noted that with comparative example 3 using an adsorbent resin, less efficient elimination of linoleic acid was observed (0.2 ppm).

[0087] Example 6: Purification process with powdered activated carbon

[0088] In the method according to Example 2, just before filtration of the second carbonated juice, 0.5% m / m of powdered activated carbon was added and removed by filtration. In this example, the linoleic acid content decreased from 71 mg / kg in the diffusion juice to less than 0.02 mg / kg in the clear juice (lower detection limit of the method).

[0089] Example 7: Comparative example of a purification process by carbonation and the use of a cationic flocculant

[0090] Example 5 implements the carbonation purification process according to Example 2 and the use of a cationic flocculant instead of an anionic flocculant.

[0091] The diffusion juice is obtained by extraction of sugar beet cosettes and heated to 72°C. Lime milk (8-10 g / L of Ca(OH)2 suspension in water) is added gradually in 5-6 steps over a period of 10 minutes to an alkalinity of 0.10 g CaO / L. After 10 minutes, the limed juice is heated to 83 °C. The juice is carbonated with CO2 to pH 11.1-11.2 or the target alkalinity of 0.08-0.15 g CaO / L. The solids are decanted using a cationic flocculant such as 2-propen- l-aminium chloride,A,A-dimethyl-A-2-propen- 1-yl (Poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium) chloride) and / or poly(acrylamide-co-acrylates) with 40% anionic character and a molecular weight greater than 20x106 g / mol. The juice clear is heated to 90°C and carbonated with CO2 to pH 9.2-9.4 or a target alkalinity of 0.02-0.03 g CaO / L.

[0092] GC-MS analysis showed a linoleic acid content in the clear juice (2.0 mg / kg).

[0093] It should be noted that with example 6 using activated carbon (<0.02 mg / kg), a more efficient elimination of linoleic acid was achieved.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for purifying an aqueous sucrose composition from linoleic acid, said method comprising dispersing activated carbon in powder form having particles having an average particle size of less than 0.6 mm, preferably 0.45 to 0.55 pm, in the aqueous composition; sequentially adding lime and carbon dioxide to the aqueous sucrose composition; and recovering the aqueous composition essentially free of linoleic acid comprising less than 0.10 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter; said method comprising the steps of: i. adding lime, thereby alkalizing the aqueous sucrose composition, then ii. diffusing carbon dioxide into the bulk of the alkalized aqueous composition obtained in step (i), thereby generating a first suspension, then iii. filtering the first suspension obtained in step (ii) and retaining the filtrate, then iv.adding activated carbon to the filtrate obtained in step (iii), this generating a second suspension, then v. diffusing carbon dioxide into the mass of the second suspension obtained in step (iv), this generating a third suspension, then vi. filtering the third suspension obtained in step (v) and retaining the filtrate constituting a composition essentially free of linoleic acid.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous sucrose composition is an aqueous sucrose extract obtained from an aqueous sugar beet extract or an aqueous sugar cane extract.

3. A method of producing sucrose essentially free of linoleic acid comprising less than 0.15 mg of linoleic acid per kg of dry matter, said method comprising the purification method according to claim 1 or 2.