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Abstract
Objective. Determine relative and absolute quantitative changes in the chemical composition of whole sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), during storage, for use in bovine feed or sugar manufacture.
Methodology. For the relative evaluation, 24 treatments with four replications were studied in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 x 6 factorial arrangement with two cultivars of sugarcane (Méx 69-290 and Méx 79-481), two types of harvest (burned and green cane) and six storage times (1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days). The variables to be measured were pH, dry matter (DM), Brix degrees, fiber and sucrose content, reducing sugars and percentage of purity. For the absolute evaluation, a dynamic model was developed for the mechanistic description of the disappearance of the average MS, fiber and sucrose contained in the sugarcane through time. The purpose of the model was to obtain the disappearance rates of these compounds per day and in this way simulate the absolute disappearance of 100 kg of sugarcane.
Results. The Brix, sucrose and fiber were greater for the variety Mex 69-290 in comparison to the variety Mex 79-481. The concentrations of sucrose, purity and pH were higher in the cane harvested green in comparison of the cane harvested burned. The sucrose, purity and the pH decreased with post-harvest storage time. Partial reducers and fiber were increased with the storage time.
Conclusions. According to the results of the present work, it is recommended that both varieties (harvested in green or burned) be stored for a maximum of 10 days and 3 days post-harvest, for an optimum use in bovine feed and in the Agro-industry Sugar, respectively.
