For sugar exporters, the term ICUMSA is very familiar to sugar exporters and importers. ICUMSA is International Commission for Uniform Method of Sugar Analysis. This institution was formed to develop methods for analyzing the quality of sugar which has members from more than 30 countries. ICUMSA has developed a rating gade/parameter regarding the color of the quality of the dissolved sugar. A rating system based on the color of the sugar will show the purity and amount of impurities left over from the production process.
The method of testing the color of sugar with the ICUMSA standard uses a spectrophotometer with a wavelength of 420 nm and 560 nm. In measuring the color of sugar using the ICUMSA method previously the sugar was dissolved until it was perfect then the turbidity was removed by adding kieselguhr. After this step, the water and sugar solution is filtered using a vacuum filter made from Whatman 42 filter paper.
Then the filtrate is taken and the pH of the solution is adjusted to pH 7 by adding HCl or NaOH. The next step is to measure the brix of the solution with a refractometer and determine. The specific gravity of the solution using the brix relationship table with specific gravity. ICUMSA color calculation with a spectrophotometer wavelength of 420 nm, then determines the transmittance at 100% with H2O using a 1 cm cuvette (b). Rinse the cuvette with the sample solution, then refill it and measure the transmittance (T) or Absorbance (A)
Types of Sugar Based on ICUMSA Color Indicators
Refined Sugar
ICUMSA 45
Sugar is of the best quality because it goes through a gradual refining process. Bright white sugar color. For Indonesia, refined sugar is intended for the food industry because it requires sugar with a low level of impurities and a white color.
Extra Special Sugar (Extra Special Crystal Sugar)
ICUMSA 100 – 150
Sugar which belongs to the food grade is used to make food ingredients such as cakes, drinks, or direct consumption.
White Crystal Sugar
ICUMSA 200 – 300
Sugar can be consumed directly as an additional ingredient in food and beverages. Based on the SNI standard, a sugar that can be consumed directly is sugar with ICUMSA 300 color. In general, sugar sulfate factories can produce sugar with ICUMSA color < 300
Raw Crystal Sugar for consumption (brown sugar)
ICUMSA 600 – 800
Abroad, this sugar can be consumed directly, usually as an addition to porridge, however, it is also necessary to pay attention to its hygiene, namely the content of bacteria and contaminants.
Raw Crystal Sugar (Raw Sugar)
ICUMSA 1600 – 2000
Raw Sugar is used as a raw material for refined sugar, and also some other processes such as MSG usually use raw sugar.
Raw Sugar (Very Raw Sugar)
ICUMSA 4600 max
Specifically used as raw material for refined sugar and may not be consumed by humans.
This indicator will assist sugar exporters in determining the ICUMSA value of sugar to be exported.