Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

College of Applied Sciences

Department of Industrial chemistry
Sugar chemistry (Inch 4121)
Assignment 1

Name ID NO

1.yirgalem Diga………………………………………. ETS 1215/09

SUBMITTED DATE:18/8/2021

SUBMITTD TO፡ Dr. IBRAHIM N. (PhD)

INTRODUCTION
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a complex anew-polyploidy plant, in wild types that
propagates asexually through planting of vegetative cuttings (setts) of mature stalks. The
importance of sugarcane has increased in recent years because it is a source of industrial raw
material for sugar allied industries such as acetic acid, paper, plywood, industrial enzymes,
animal feed and as source of renewable energy. Moreover, sugarcane is one of the most efficient
species in the plant kingdom in terms of biomass production.

Maturity of cane is a major factor in the inversion and subsequent reduction of stored sucrose.
As, physiological maturity increases the extent of sucrose loss is enhanced. Harvesting of
immature (or) over mature cane should be avoided to cut down sugar losses.

Post Harvesting Of Sugarcane

Many sugarcane fields in tropical areas of were covered with over-stand cane having an age
range of 20–30-month-old. This will cause a decline both in yield and quality of sugarcane
production due to heavy lodging, and remobilization of accumulated sucrose to supply newly
growing side shoots. Similarly, over aged canes deteriorate their sucrose content by heavy
lodging and remobilized to supply the unproductive bull shoots (newly growing shoots).

All the cane clones are prone to post harvest deterioration but rate of moisture loss may vary due
to their physical, chemical and biochemical constitution as well as prevailing environmental
conditions. The genetic nature of clone and the morphological features of cane such as
thickness, rind hardness, wax coating etc. Decides the extent of post-harvest deterioration.

Effect of harvest times/late harvest

Age of harvest is one of the most important factors affecting sugarcane productivity and quality
of product. Varietal differences in growth and maturity rates must be considered when harvesting
decisions are made. In addition to the difference of varietal maturity rates, environmental
conditions, management practices, and pest pressure also influence the optimal harvest age of
sugarcane along the coast. The climate elements, temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity
and total rainfall variables that account for a major variation in harvest age among sugarcane
growing countries.
Beyond 14 months harvest age all quality parameters such as Percent of soluble solids (TSS),
percent pol(pol%) and estimated recoverable sucrose significantly declining trend which
indicates the reduction of sucrose content due to heavy lodging and remobilization to supply the
unproductive bull shoots (newly growing shoots).

Canes started to lose their weight by drying out by high temperatures. It has been suggested that,
the cane weight loss is mainly attributed to evaporation losses. So that Post harvest deterioration
of cane quality due to cane staling is one of the most alarming problems of sugar industry.

Maturity and Harvesting of Sugarcane

 Cane should be harvested only when it is mature. Practical tests to judge maturity are (a)
general yellowish colour of whole crop, (b) cessation of growth, (c) swelling of eye buds,
(d) metallic sound of cane, (e) breaking of cane at the nodes and (f) Brix saccharometer
reading between 21 and 24.
 Irrigation should be withheld for about 10 to 15 days prior to harvesting.

 Harvesting should be done with sharp cane cutting knife and very close to ground.

 The cane should be crushed within 24 hours to get high recovery.

 Average yield of ratoon crop is 100 t/ha, pre-seasonal crop is 125 t/ha and that of adsali is
150 t/ha. With best management practices, potential yield of 200 t/ha (ratoon crop), 250
t/ha (pre-seasonal crop) and 300 t/ha (adsali crop) can be harvested.

Therefore Effects of Late/Post Harvesting Sugarcane For the production of Sugar is

 Loss of sucrose content in the juice

 Loss of recoverable sugar

  poor juice quality
 Loss in cane weight due the staling of cane and
 Changes in TSS (total soluble solid) or brix
 Changes in Sucrose % in juice
 Changes in purity coefficient
 Changes in reducing sugar changes in protein content
 Changes in Dextran, and problems in milling

References
1.Hagos, Hadush, Luel Mengistu, and Yohannes Mequanint. "Determining
optimum harvest age of sugarcane varieties on the newly establishing sugar project
in the tropical areas of Tendaho, Ethiopia." Advances in crop science and
technology (2014).
2. Inman-Bamber, N. G. "Effect of age and season on components of yield of
sugarcane in South Africa." In Proceedings of the South African Sugar
Technologists Association, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 23-27. 1994.