Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) molasses: Physicochemical characterization and in vitro bioavailability of different genotypes

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the physicochemical composition, bioactive compound contents and iron bioavailability (cell culture caco-2) of sweet sorghum molasses of different genotypes and compare them to sugar cane molasses. Sorghum molasses presented proteins (0.28–2.90%), lipids (0.07–0.53%), total dietary fiber (0.00–2.85%), carbohydrates (90.16–93 0.29%), pH (4.67–4.95), acidity (0.3–0.45) and BRIX (38.2–58.5°). The sorghum molasses contained high ash concentration (3.30–6.86%) and calcium (397–966 mg), compared to sugar cane (1.98% and 70 mg). Sorghum molasses presented higher levels of total phenolic compounds (19.3–48.4 mg GAE/g) compared to sugar cane (8.8 mg GAE/g). Ferritin concentration was higher in two sorghum molasses (6.3–6.8 ng/mg), compared to sugar cane (4.3 ng/mg). Thus, sorghum molasses proved to be a promising source of minerals and bioactive compounds and an excellent food to be used in human nutrition.