Clarifying Sugar by Soap

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

M Basset lately introduced to the notice of the Academy of Sciences at Paris, the process of clarifying sugar invented by Mr Garcia, formerly a sugar refiner of Louisiana It is founded on the wellknown property of lime to combine with fatty substances, and produce alkaline soap When the saccharate of lime is brought into contact with a solution of soda soap, the sugar is set at liberty, the lime combines with the fat of the soap, and the soda remains in solution in the liquid When the clarification has been effected with an excess of lime, and the liquid has been skimmed a first time, it must be allowed to cool to below 104 Fah, and the solution of soap is then poured in while the liquid is being stirred When the whole has been incorporated, it is again brought to the boiling point, after which the temperature is suddenly lowered again, by the suppression of the steam current, and the new scum is removed The latter consists of a calcareous soap, which on rising to the surface has carried with it all the impurities and extraneous substances contained in the liquid The process requires no new apparatus, and is stated to produce better sugar

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American