Feasibility of Sustaining Sugars in Sweet Sorghum Stalks During Post-Harvest Stage by Exploring Cultivars and Chemicals: A Desk Study

Abstract

In the recent years sweet sorghum is emerging as an important feedstock for bioethanol production. It was observed that total soluble sugar yield (TSSY) increases with time in the post-anthesis phase depending on the length of crop cycle. The qualitative and quantitative sugar loss of up to 50% or more occurs due to delay in harvest during post-physiological maturity stage depending on the genotype, weather and soil conditions, and the time lag between harvest and crushing of the stalks. Hence, a desk study was conducted to identify suitable cultivars and/or explore the use of chemicals that sustain sugars in the post-harvest phase. In case of delayed harvest beyond physiological maturity stage, growing of cultivars such as SPSSV 30, ICSV 25275, ICSV 25280 and SPV 422 that sustain sugar yield at post-physiological maturity, is recommended. As there are no published reports on sweet sorghum, the literature from sugarcane and wine industries were analyzed and inferences drawn from these industries suggest the evaluation of chemicals like sodium benzoate, potassium metabisulphate, sodium metabisulphite, ammonia, SO2, vanillin and acetic acid (vinegar) which may arrest the post-harvest deterioration of sweet sorghum stalks before juice extraction.