Comparative study of methods for determination and estimation of fiber and reducing sugars in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)

Author(s)

José Rubens Almeida Leme Filho

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2006-01-27

Examining board members

André Ricardo Alcarde; Jorge Horii; Octavio Antonio Valsechi

• Advisor: André Ricardo Alcarde

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to study the methods of determination and estimation of fiber in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) and reducing sugars (RS) in sugarcane juice. These are the most important analyses to calculate the Recoverable Total Sugar (RTS) which is the parameter that conducts the current system for sugarcane payment of the CONSECANA. Concerning the fiber content of sugarcane, a new method, modified from the original method of the hydraulical press, was developed with the objective of correcting the error resultant of the use of the brix of the extracted juice to estimate the content of soluble solids of the juice not extracted during the pressing (residual juice in the bagasse). This new method differed significantly from the original one. However it presented an accurate correlation with the original method because the brix of the juice extracted at the end of pressing (value took in account in the modified method) presented an excellent adjust of correlation with the brix of the juice extracted during the whole pressing (value took in account in the original method). So, even when the brix of the juice extracted at the end of pressing is not measured, it is possible to get a value of fiber content representative of the real one using an equation of linear regression that correlates the method modified with the original one. Correlations between sugarcane fiber and residual bagasse weight (RBW) resultant of pressing, at 250 kgf/cm2, 500 g of sugarcane sample prepared according to the CONSECANA procedures were tested. Correlations between sugarcane fiber and brix, pol, purity or AR of the sugarcane juice were also tested. The parameters that presented the best correlation with sugarcane fiber were brix and pol of sugarcane juice. The parameters RS and RBW did not present good adjusts of correlation with fiber. Using linear regression analyses some possible methods of estimation of fiber content were tested. Among the equations correlating fiber with RBW (CONSECANA’s current and precedent, and the equation elaborated based on the data of this work), the one that best estimated the sugarcane fiber was the CONSECANA’s current one. Correlations between RS and pol, brix, purity or the difference brix - pol, were also analysed. The parameter that presented the best correlation with RS was purity of sugarcane juice, which is the parameter of CONSECANA’s equation to estimate the RS content in sugarcane juice. CONSECANA’s precedent equation presented a more accurate estimation of RS content than the equation currently in use. CONSECANA’s current equation underestimated the values of RS. As regarding to fiber content, the possibility of estimating it based on brix or pol might result in tables of correlation between RTS and brix or pol. This would simplify the system for sugarcane payment and so satisfy the sugarcane suppliers. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 03/09588-9 - Comparative study of the methods of determination and estimation of the levels of fiber and of reductive sugars in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)
• Grantee: José Rubens Almeida Leme Filho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master