in embodiments there is disclosed a nutraceutical or cosmeceutical composition . nutraceuticals are food or food product that provides health and medical benefits , including the prevention and treatment of disease . products according to the present invention may range from isolated nutrients , dietary supplements , prebiotic , specific diets and herbal products , and processed foods such as cereals , soups , and beverages . according to another embodiment , the composition of the present invention may be cosmeceuticals products application ( exfoliant , masque , onguent , etc ) that may be topically applied . the topical composition may be for example , for improving the health condition of skin or various organs . the composition of the present invention may be consumed for the prophylaxis of ailments such as diabetes , such as diabetes melitus , cancer , arthritis , micro - organism infection such as bacterial infections or fungal infections , neurodegenerative diseases , inflammatory diseases , an inflammatory condition , oxidative stress related diseases , intestinal dysfunction , and heart diseases . the composition of the present invention may also be used as a functional food , a food ingredient , an additive , a non - food ingredient , a cosmeto - food , a pharmaceutical , and a food supplement . the sugar plant by - product residue may be obtained from any sugar plant syrup . this includes for example any type of maple syrup , proper for consumption as food , but also non - conform syrups that are obtained late in the maple syrup production season , and which have defects ( e . g . undesired wooden or moldy taste ). there are many methods to filter maple syrup and collect maple tree syrup filtration residue . below is enumerated some illustrative manner of maple syrup filtration . syrup filtration residue may be used as a natural filter membrane in the maple syrup production or a continuous filtration mode or by being frozen and then thaw prior its reuse . when sap is boiled , the minerals and the others nutrients such as polyphenol , complex sugar , amino acids , organic acids , vitamins , that are naturally present in the sap are concentrated or hardened into a substance called niter , commonly known as sugar sand the first rule in filtering is that the syrup must be hot . there are no shortcuts around this . it is best to filter syrup that has just been drawn off from the evaporator or finisher . as the syrup cools it begins to thicken and the filtering process is all but impossible . the second rule of filtering : patience . with the obvious exception of the filter press , the filtering process is not a task that is quickly completed . in fact , if the syrup runs quickly through the filter , one should be concerned . the syrup must work its way through and around the dense fibers of the filter fabric . if it can run through quickly , it is a sure sign that the filter fibers have been broken down and the filter is not working properly . it may be time to get a new filter . a good filtration takes time , but time means cooling syrup . filtering and canning units , built to keep the syrup clean and hot during the filtering process , help resolve this problem . if one does not have a commercial filter tank , one should design a system that puts the filter inside a covered container . it also helps to filter larger batches so there is more mass to the hot syrup . pour in hot syrup , cover it to keep the heat inside , and be patient as the syrup oozes through the filter . keep a thermometer near by ; if the syrup cools below 180 ° f . ( about 82 ° c .) during the filtering process , heat the syrup to the recommended 180 ° f . to 200 ° f . ( about 82 ° c . to 93 ° c .) canning range . care must be taken so that the syrup is not overheated , however . syrup heated beyond the 200 ° f . ( 93 ° c .) mark is likely to produce more sugar sand and may need to be re - filtered . a two - layer filter system may be used . according to one embodiment , one may place a pre - filter inside ( or on top of ) the final filter . a pre - filter is a thin fabric made of rayon cellulose , often referred to as “ paper filters ”. the purpose of the pre - filter is to give an extra layer of filtering material and to keep the largest particles away from the “ clean ” final filter . this lets the final filter do a better job and reduces the number of cleanings required . the thinner , less expensive and easier to clean pre - filters can be changed easily and more often while the final filter is kept cleaner and can be used over a longer period . the bulk of the sugar sand should be caught in the pre - filter . use the filters together , not as a 2 - step process , to minimize heat loss . don &# 39 ; t be too concerned about built up sugar sand . if syrup is still moving through the filters , leave them alone ; the sugar sand is a great filter bed . it is possible to recuperate a portion of this precipitate to be used as a natural filter during filtration of the syrup . the decision to buy cone - shaped or flat filters will be determined by the filtering equipment . cone filters are used in tall , covered filter tanks with hooks at the top to hold the filter “ tabs .” flat filters are used in filter and canning units with flat wire racks , or in homemade colander / sieve operations . flat filters are only available in synthetic fabrics . if one is using cones , one can choose from synthetic or wool , as a matter of personal preference . the old - time traditional filter is made of wool ; many still refer to them as a “ hat ” because they look like an old wool hat when turned upside down . development of superior synthetic fibers over the past few decades , however , have led the vast majority of sugarmakers to switch to easy care synthetic filters , which lack the shrinkage and moth problems associated with wool . soaking the filter in hot water for a few minutes is recommended when using for the first time . this ensures that the filters are clean and that they will not contaminate new syrup with old bacteria . the filter works a little better if dampened slightly in hot water before use . with proper care , the filters can be used many times , even years . it is recommended that one rinse the filters by turning them inside out and flushing them with hot water until the water runs clean . one should never use soaps or detergents , which can flavor the syrup . handle the filters carefully when cleaning ; never twist , wring or stretch the filters , but gently squeeze the water out . a filter press includes filter plates which are constructed of light weight aluminum for low maintenance and fast heating . the filter allows thorough and rapid filtering , which allows the collection of the syrup residue . the pressure filter uses a special paper or washable fabric such as “ orlon ™”, which traps the sand particles , and a filter aid powder , which is added to the liquid before going through the press to hold the trapped sand in suspension . in embodiments , silica powder , ground bones , slop , clay , clay dust and diatomaceous earth are acceptable for use in the filter presses as a filter aid powder . according to an embodiment , it is defined that any suitable mechanical process that can result in a mechanical separation can be used . by example , centrifugation , cyclonic separation , decantation , extraction , pressing , sedimentation , sieving , and the like are mechanical separation process which can be used . moreover , it can be noted that a filtration process used can be centrifugation . chemical processes such as precipitation may also be employed , for example , by modifiying the ph of the syrup being treated . according to another embodiment , the filter aid must be used in the process or the papers will plug immediately . hot syrup is pumped into the interior of the plates and frames of the press . the flow continues through the filter paper and exits the press . the dirt , sugar sand and filter aid powder are collected against the filter paper inside the frame . the operating of a filter press is very straightforward . a single stage of the filter consists of a sheet of filter paper sandwiched between a frame plate and a backer plate . ( fig1 ) hot syrup is pumped into the interior of the frame plate through holes a and b . the flow continues through the filter paper , onto the backer plate grid , and exits to hole d of the backer plate via the smaller holes c . the filtered dirt collects against the filter paper inside the frame plate . each plate and frame fills one after the other in succession . because of the previously described flow path , proper assembly of the filter press is crucial for alignment of the syrup flow holes and correct operation of the press . fig1 shows an expanded assembly diagram . starting at the fixed head end , the press is assembled as follows : with locating knobs on left ( facing the head block ) install frame plate . place washers on the threaded rods , screw on wing nuts and hand tighten . note that the paper filters also act as gaskets , so some seepage will normally occur during operation . note : when assembling the filter press be careful to properly align the plate locating knobs to the left ( facing the head block ). the reversal of only one element can adversely affect the flow pattern and result in partially filtered , cloudy syrup . there are three types of filtration : conical gravitational filter ( 19 %), circular filter press ( 14 %) and plate - and - frame filter press ( 43 %). the syrup must be heated to approximately 195 ° f . ( about 95 . 5 ° c .). cold liquid cannot be filtered . next , an amount of filter aid ( for example , diatomaceous earth ) may be be mixed into the hot liquid . filter aid imparts no taste and is completely filtered out of the liquid . the function of the filter aid is to act as an additional filtering layer as it accumulates on the filter papers allowing more clean syrup to pass through the papers . the amount of filter aid used depends primarily on grade of syrup , the amount of suspended solids , the temperature of the syrup and the volume of syrup . a general guideline is to use 1 to 3 cups of filter aid powder for every 5 gallons of liquid . this amount can be adjusted to suit the application , adding more for syrup with more suspended solids and reducing the amount for cleaner syrup . the filter aid should be added near the outlet of the finishing pan and stirred completely . add the filter aid slowly and continue to mix until the filter press is started . ( the filter aid powder can settle out if not stirred .) following syrup preparation , the press is ready for operation . if the press is equipped with an electrically driven gear pump , make sure the pump power switch is off and plug the power cord into a 110 vac grounded outlet . place the inlet hose into the syrup to be filtered and the outlet hose into a suitable container to receive the filtered syrup . to assure the pump properly primes , place the pump at or below the level of the syrup pan . if the filter is equipped with an air driven diaphragm type pump , the pump is started by slightly cracking the pressure regulator to start , and slowly increasing the pressure to the operating pumping rate . when the syrup appears at the outlet , stop the pump for about a minute to allow the press plates to heat up . restart the pump and continue until the holding pan is empty , stirring the liquid as needed . one may continue filtering until the pressure gauge reads approximately 50 pounds . at this point the frames will be full or the papers will be plugged . the press must be cleaned and new papers installed in order to filter the next batch . ( note : the press must also be cleaned for re - use if the frames become too cool before the next batch of syrup is ready to be filtered .) run ½ gallon hot water through the filter press before disassembly to flush the pump of syrup . ( this amount of water is approximate and more or less may be used .) this sweet water may be saved and added when finishing the next batch of syrup . the press is disassembled for cleaning between batches by loosening the wing nuts enough to allow free movement of the plates and frames . the syrup in the press will drain into the drip pan and can be filtered with the next batch . the frames can be lifted out and cleaned with hot water only . the filter papers should be discarded and new ones used for each new batch . the sugar plant by - product residue ( e . g . sugar sand ) may contain a wide number of nutrients such as abscisic acid , phaseic acid , and other compounds according to table 1 below : according to another embodiment , the sugar plant by - product residue may also contain saccharides , such as mono saccharides , disaccharides , trisaccharides , oligosaccharides , and polysaccharides , which include but are not limited to glucose , fructose , galactose , ribose , deoxyribose , mannose , maltose , kojibiose , nigerose , isomaltose , trehalose , β , β - trehalose , α , β - trehalose , sophorose , laminaribiose , gentiobiose , turanose , maltulose , gentiobiulose , mannobiose , melibiose , melibiulose , rutinose , rutinulose , isomaltotriose , nigerotriose , maltotriose , maltotriulose , raffinose , inulin , kestose , nystose , fructosylnystose , bifurcose , a fructooligosaccharide , quebrachitol , arabinogalactan , dextran , inulotriose , inulotetraose . according to some embodiments , in use the sugar plant by - product residue may be included in nutraceutical or cosmeceutical compositions . alternatively , the sugar plant by - product residues may be used for any other suitable applications , such as , in the case of sugar sand , in applications requiring fine granular materials , ( e . g . as an abrasive , as a filter material , and the likes ). while preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings , it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure . such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure .
the present document describes a nutraceutical or cosmeceutical composition for the prophylaxis of an ailment comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a sugar plant syrup filtration residue in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier . the present document also describes a nutraceutical or cosmeceutical composition for improving health condition of skin . the present document describes a method of producing a sugar plant syrup - derived product ; wherein the improvement is characterized in the step of : collecting a sugar plant syrup residue during the production of sugar or syrup to produce a syrup - derived by - product .