Parameters of juice quality deterioration in sugarcane juice

Abstract

Juice quality deterioration parameters viz., PH, reducing sugars and dextrans determined at different time lag intervals of crushing (0, 24, 48 and 72 hrs. after harvest) and at different months of crop age (10th, 11th, 12th and 13th) revealed significant differences among clones for PH, reducing sugars and dextrans. The PH in juice progressively decreased from 0 to 72 hrs. after crushing at all months of crop age and in all the clones tested. Percent reducing sugars showed a linear increase from 10th to 13th months of crop age and at all time lag intervals of crushing. Dextran content increased among the clones up to 12 months and declined at 13th month of crop age. However, dextran content increased irrespective of clones studied from 0 to 72 hrs. of staling. The higher content of dextran in early maturing clones attributable to higher juice sucrose contrary to this reducing sugars were high in mid-late clones. Based on PH, reducing sugars and dextrans in juice, it is suggested that early clones should be harvested by 11th month and crushed within 24 hours of harvest while mid-late clones by 12th month and within 48 hours of harvest. It is evident from the study that 2003V46 (TC), 2003V46 (S), COA14328 and 2016T7 in early and COA19322 in mid-late were found to have higher shelf life and tolerance to post harvest deterioration.