Lime in the sugar process

Sugar cane and beets, after being cleaned and crushed, are processed with water to form a concentrated syrup, which has a low pH (acidic) and contains dissolved impurities. This syrup must be purified using Calcium Oxide or Calcium Hydroxide.
Like Calcium Oxide, Hydroxide neutralizes acidity by raising the pH, and allows precipitation and separation of impurities, by forming insoluble calcium salts that can be removed. Lime disinfects this syrup that is formed, eliminating the present bacteria and yeasts.