Cuban Sugar Cane Research Articles

Technoeconomic analysis of alternatives to improve Cuban sugarcane wax‐refining technology using Superpro Designer

AbstractSugarcane wax is a co‐product with strong potential. It contains several bioactive components that can be used for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes. It is also considered a substitute for leading vegetable waxes in the international market. The extraction and refining technologies that have been reported in Cuba do not always manage to deliver a wax that meets the quality demanded by the market. This problem can be solved with the development of innovative technologies that allow increasing yields, higher quality, and the reduction of costs. The main objective of this work was to achieve a validated model of the Cuban sugarcane wax‐refining process using the SuperPro Designer simulator, and to evaluate the alternatives in order to reduce consumption rates and increase stability in the final product quality, as customers demand. The model successfully replicated 39 out of 44 variables used for process validation, with values falling within the historical range of the process. Deviations from historical values were less than 4 percentage points. Among the proposed modifications, the second of the two alternatives proposed resulted in lower consumption rates and more consistent quality of refined wax.

Comparison of the In Vivo Efficacy of Cuban (Raydel®) and Chinese (BOC Science) Policosanol in Alleviating Dyslipidemia and Inflammation via Safeguarding Major Organs and Reproductive Health in Hyperlipidemic Zebrafish: A Twelve-Week Consumption Study.

Policosanol is a blend of long-chain aliphatic alcohols (LCAAs) and is well-known for several health-beneficial activities; however, the functionality of policosanol varied substantially based on the composition of LCAAs. In this study, two distinct policosanols, Raydel® (extracted from Cuban sugarcane wax) and BOC Sciences (extracted from Chinese sugarcane wax), were dietarily supplemented (0.1% w/w) for 12 weeks in hyperlipidemic zebrafish to examine their influence on the blood lipid profile and functionality of the liver, kidney, and reproductive organs. The results demonstrated a noteworthy impact of both policosanols on preventing high-cholesterol diet (HCD, 4% w/w)-induced dyslipidemia by decreasing total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels in the plasma. However, compared to BOC Sciences, the Raydel® policosanol exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) higher efficacy in reducing HCD-induced TC and TG levels. A substantial effect was observed exclusively with the Raydel® policosanol in mitigating HCD-impaired low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Hepatic histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis revealed the higher efficacy of Raydel® policosanol over BOC Sciences policosanol to prevent HCD-provoked fatty liver changes, cellular senescence, oxidative stress, and interleukin (IL)-6 production. Consistently, a significantly higher effect of Raydel® over BOC Sciences policosanol was observed on the protection of kidney, testis, and ovary morphology hampered by HCD consumption. In addition, Raydel® policosanol exhibited a notably stronger effect (~2-fold, p < 0.05) on the egg-laying ability of the zebrafish compared to policosanol from BOC Sciences. Furthermore, Raydel® policosanol plays a crucial role in improving embryo viability and mitigating developmental defects caused by the intake of an HCD. Conclusively, Raydel® policosanol displayed a substantially higher efficacy over BOC Sciences policosanol to revert HCD-induced dyslipidemia, the functionality of vital organs, and the reproductive health of zebrafish.

"Valorization of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of the Raw Wax of Cuban Sugar Cane"

"Valorization of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of the Raw Wax of Cuban Sugar Cane"

Optimization and process development methods in the production of sugar from Cuban sugar cane

Cuba's economy has fluctuated strongly due to COVID-19 and natural disasters. In addition, sugar production, which is Cuba's main export product, also fell sharply. In the absence of underdeveloped industrial technologies and digitization, Cuba currently has to allocate its resources with even greater consideration. That's why utilization and optimization of sugar production and transport can take advantage of its inherent potential and reserves. After presenting the history of sugar production and its current, mainly local, technology, we present three simple methods, which do not require very professional knowledge nor expensive software or hardware to optimise these processes. We recommend the establishment of basic collection points, which would operate as specific logistics centres, with the role of service provision and pre-production in addition to the collection. Also, the paper proposes a method that can be used to design layouts in 3D, making the current sugar production process more compact and efficient.

Environmental impacts of torrefied Dichrostachys cinerea cogeneration in a Cuban sugarcane mill: a life cycle assessment approach with a sensitivity analysis

Environmental impacts of torrefied Dichrostachys cinerea cogeneration in a Cuban sugarcane mill: a life cycle assessment approach with a sensitivity analysis

Cuban Sugar Cane Wax Alcohol Exhibited Enhanced Antioxidant, Anti-Glycation and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein (rHDL) with Improved Structural and Functional Correlations: Comparison of Various Policosanols

Policosanols from various sources, such as sugar cane, rice bran, and insects, have been marketed to prevent dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension by increasing the blood high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. On the other hand, there has been no study on how each policosanol influences the quality of HDL particles and their functionality. Reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDLs) with apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and each policosanol were synthesized using the sodium cholate dialysis method to compare the policosanols in lipoprotein metabolism. Each rHDL was compared regarding the particle size and shape, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in zebrafish embryos. This study compared four policosanols including one policosanol from Cuba (Raydel® policosanol) and three policosanols from China (Xi'an Natural sugar cane, Xi'an Realin sugar cane, and Shaanxi rice bran). The synthesis of rHDLs with various policosanols (PCO) from Cuba or China using a molar ratio of 95:5:1:1 with palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC): free cholesterol (FC): apoA-I:PCO (wt:wt) showed that rHDL containing Cuban policosanol (rHDL-1) showed the largest particle size and the most distinct particle shape. The rHDL-1 showed a 23% larger particle diameter and increased apoA-I molecular weight with a 1.9 nm blue shift of the maximum wavelength fluorescence than rHDL alone (rHDL-0). Other rHDLs containing Chinese policosanols (rHDL-2, rHDL-3, and rHDL-4) showed similar particle sizes with an rHDL-0 and 1.1-1.3 nm blue shift of wavelength maximum fluorescence (WMF). Among all rHDLs, the rHDL-1 showed the strongest antioxidant ability to inhibit cupric ion-mediated LDL oxidation. The rHDL-1-treated LDL showed the most distinct band intensity and particle morphology compared with the other rHDLs. The rHDL-1 also exerted the highest anti-glycation activity to inhibit the fructose-mediated glycation of human HDL2 with the protection of apoA-I from proteolytic degradation. At the same time, other rHDLs showed a loss of anti-glycation activity with severe degradation. A microinjection of each rHDL alone showed that rHDL-1 had the highest survivability of approximately 85 ± 3%, with the fastest developmental speed and morphology. In contrast, rHDL-3 showed the lowest survivability, around 71 ± 5%, with the slowest developmental speed. A microinjection of carboxymethyllysine (CML), a pro-inflammatory advanced glycated end product, into zebrafish embryos resulted in severe embryo death of approximately 30 ± 3% and developmental defects with the slowest developmental speed. On the other hand, the phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-injected embryo showed 83 ± 3% survivability. A co-injection of CML and each rHDL into adult zebrafish showed that rHDL-1 (Cuban policosanol) induced the highest survivability, around 85 ± 3%, while rHDL-0 showed 67 ± 7% survivability. In addition, rHDL-2, rHDL-3, and rHDL-4 showed 67 ± 5%, 62 ± 37, and 71 ± 6% survivability, respectively, with a slower developmental speed and morphology. In conclusion, Cuban policosanol showed the strongest ability to form rHDLs with the most distinct morphology and the largest size. The rHDL-containing Cuban policosanol (rHDL-1) showed the strongest antioxidant ability against LDL oxidation, anti-glycation activity to protect apoA-I from degradation, and the highest anti-inflammatory activity to protect embryo death under the presence of CML.

Policosanol suppresses tumor progression in a gastric cancer xenograft model.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer death, with the fifth highest incidence. The development of effective chemotherapeutic agents is needed to decrease GC mortality. Policosanol (PC) extracted from Cuban sugar cane wax is a healthy functional food ingredient that helps improve blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Its various physiological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, have been reported recently. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficacy of PC in gastric xenograft models is unclear. We aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of PC on human GC SNU-16 cells and a xenograft mouse model. PC significantly inhibited GC cell viability and delayed tumor growth without toxicity in the SNU-16-derived xenograft model. Therefore, we investigated protein expression levels in tumor tissues; the expression levels of Ki-67, a proliferation marker, and cdc2 were decreased. In addition, we performed proteomic analysis and found thirteen differentially expressed proteins. Our results suggested that PC inhibited GC progression via cdc2 suppression and extracellular matrix protein regulation. Notably, our findings might contribute to the development of novel and effective therapeutic strategies for GC.

Process simulation and techno-economic assessment of vinasse-to-biogas in Cuba: Deterministic and uncertainty analysis

This paper presents a process simulation model in Aspen Plus® and a techno-economic assessment for the anaerobic digestion of Cuban sugarcane vinasses considering three scenarios for biogas application: electricity production (S_1), biomethane as vehicle fuel (S_2), and biomethane for gas grid injection (S_3). From the simulation model, non-significant differences (p_value ≥ 0.1779) between experimental and simulation results were found. S_1 showed the best economic performance among the assessed biogas applications. From the sensitivity analysis, the mean electricity price leading to a net present value of zero for S_1 was 90 USD/MWh, while for S_2 and S_3 the mean incentive required was 0.33 USD/m3biomethane and 0.67 USD/m3biomethane, respectively. The uncertainty analysis showed a chance for investment failure in S_1 less than 10%, whereas for S_2 and S_3 it ranged between 31–37%. The minimum scale required (milling and distillery capacities, ethanol yield) for getting profits from biomethane projects was targeted at 10,800 tcane/day, 108 m3ethanol/d at 10 Lethanol/tcane, respectively. To this end, Cuban plants should significantly increase their average capacities; otherwise, a centralized biomethane production by limiting the number of biomethane plants to one or two per province could be implemented.

Analysis and optimization of the spin beam in the CCA-5000 Cuban sugarcane harvester

A linear dynamic study of the tensional status of the unloading conveyor´s spin beam in the new model CCA-5000 Cuban sugarcane harvester is carried out. The dynamic coefficients were determined using a strain gauge experimental evaluation of the KTP-23 harvester, which is a similar model in structure to the CCA-5000. A finite elements analysis is used to obtain the safety distribution factor and the tensions in the beam for different load combinations linked to a dynamic variation curve of the loads. Aiming to verify the presence or not of large amplitudes on the system oscillations caused by the resonance phenomenon, an analysis of the frequency modes for each load status is conducted, and the results are compared with the terrain irregularities frequencies on which the harvester moves. Finally, taking into account the previous results, the shape of the beam is optimized in order to decrease its steevolume.

Effect of Cuban Sugarcane Wax Acids and Policosanol on Serum Lipid Profile and Apolipoprotein A-I Expression in Hyperlipidemic Zebrafish

Effect of Cuban Sugarcane Wax Acids and Policosanol on Serum Lipid Profile and Apolipoprotein A-I Expression in Hyperlipidemic Zebrafish

Low recovery frequency of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus from plants and associated mealybugs in Cuban sugarcane fields

This study was aimed to isolate and identify the N2-fixing bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus from 11 sugarcane varieties, grown under field conditions in four Cuban provinces, and from their associated mealybugs Saccharicoccus sacchari. Identification was based on morphological and biochemical tests and PCR-amplification of 16S rRNA genes using species-specific primers. From all sugarcane varieties and numerous mealybug colonies sampled, G. diazotrophicus isolates were recovered from inside sugarcane stems of only three varieties, and one from S. sacchari colony. These four isolates showed acetylene reduction activity in nitrogen-free media and contained nifH genes which were PCR-amplified using specific primers. ERIC-PCR fingerprinting was used to compare the Cuban G. diazotrophicus isolates with type and reference strains of N2-fixing Gluconacetobacteria. The very low frequency of G. diazotrophicus isolates recovered is probably related with the high doses of nitrogen fertilizers applied to the sugarcane in the Cuban fields for almost 30 years. Some genetic differences, using ERIC-PCR, were detected among G. diazotrophicus strains, which could be related with its source.

Sugarcane energy use: The Cuban case

Abstract This paper examines the history, methods, costs, and future prospects of Cuba's attempts to develop the energy potential of sugarcane. An overview of the main factors affecting the current sugarcane agro-industry in Cuba is provided, along with an analysis of why, despite attempts by the Cuban government to revive the country's sugarcane agro-industry, the industry continues to decline. The prevailing conditions and degree of modernization in Cuban sugar factories are evaluated. The sugar-agro industry's main production bottlenecks are studied. The fall in sugarcane yield from 57.5 ton/ha in 1991 to 22.4 ton/ha in 2005 and its relation to land use is explained. The socio-economic impact of the sugarcane agro-industry's downsizing is assessed. The governmental and quasi-governmental entities in charge of sugarcane energy use development and the country's legal framework are analyzed. The Cuban sugarcane agro-industry's opportunities in the growing international biofuels and bioenergy market are evaluated. To situate Cuba within the global bioenergy market, international best practices relating to the production and commercialization of biofuels are examined to determine the degree to which these experiences can be transferred to Cuba. The analysis of the Cuba sugar industry's biofuel potential is based on a comparative technical–economic assessment of three possible production scenarios: (1) the current situation, where only sugar is produced; (2) simultaneous production of sugar–anhydrous ethanol; and (3) production of sugar–ethanol and simultaneous generation of surplus electricity exported to a public grid. Some of the key assumptions underlying these analyses are as follows: Ethanol production and operation costs for a 7000 ton/day-sugar mill are estimated to be 0.25 and 0.23 USD/l, respectively. The influence of gasoline prices on sugar–ethanol production is also assessed. The kWh production and operation costs starting from sugarcane bagasse are estimated at 0.06 and 0.04 USD, respectively. Cuba's potential sugarcane cogeneration capacity is estimated to be 9006 GWh/year. Investment–profit analyses are offered for two scenarios: annexing a 300,000 l/day distillery to a sugar mill, and enlarging the cogeneration capacity of a 7000 ton/day mill. Added production cost/added-value analysis was carried out. The main environmental issues associated with sugarcane-based fuel production are also analyzed.

Lack of effect of sugar cane policosanol on plasma cholesterol in golden syrian hamsters

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols shown to have beneficial effects on plasma lipid levels in animals and humans. Over 50 studies have reported significant reductions in plasma cholesterol using policosanol obtained from Cuban sugar cane (Dalmer, La Havana, Cuba). However, other research groups using policosanol from alternative sources have failed to reproduce the efficacy of these alcohols observed in earlier studies. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare the cholesterol-lowering effect of the Dalmer sugar cane policosanol (SCP) product versus an alternative mixture of similar policosanol composition. Forty-eight male Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly assigned to four groups and fed experimental diets ad libitum for a period of 4 weeks: (i) non-cholesterol control, (ii) 0.1% cholesterol control, (iii) 0.1% cholesterol diet supplemented with 275 mg/kg diet of Dalmer Cuban sugar cane policosanol and (iv) 0.1% cholesterol diet supplemented with 275 mg/kg diet of alternative sugar cane policosanol. Hamsters were sacrificed and blood was collected at the end of the feeding period. Body weights and food intakes were similar across study groups. Neither of the two policosanol treatments had any significant effect on plasma lipid levels, as compared to cholesterol control. The outcome of the present study questions the clinical usefulness of policosanol mixtures as cholesterol-lowering nutraceuticals.

Lack of cholesterol-lowering efficacy of Cuban sugar cane policosanols in hypercholesterolemic persons

More than 50 studies have reported substantial reductions in plasma lipid concentrations in response to 2-40 mg Cuban sugar cane policosanol (SCP) mixtures/d. However, several animal and human trials conducted outside of Cuba that used non-Cuban mixtures have failed to reproduce the efficacy of policosanols observed in earlier studies. The objective was to evaluate lipid-modulating actions of the authentic Cuban SCPs on plasma lipids in healthy hypercholesterolemic volunteers. Twenty-one volunteers consumed, under supervision, 10 mg SCPs/d or a placebo incorporated in margarine as an afternoon snack, for a period of 28 d with the use of a randomized, double-blind crossover study design. Subjects maintained their habitual diet and physical activity and were weighed daily throughout the study period. Blood was collected at days 1, 2, 28, and 29 of the feeding trial, and lipid concentrations were measured. Body weights did not vary significantly throughout the trial and did not affect plasma lipid values. No significant difference was observed between treatment and control groups in plasma total, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations. Present results show no beneficial effects of Cuban SCPs on lipid indicators in hypercholesterolemic persons and question the clinical usefulness of policosanol mixtures as cholesterol-lowering neutraceutical agents.

Economic feasibility study regarding the applicability of ultrasonic inspection of the Cuban sugar industry’s sugarcane mill shafts

This article evaluates the economic feasibility of carrying out ultrasonic inspection of sugar-mill shafts. Four alternatives are considered, including the most frequently encountered scenarios. How and when inspections are carried out is analysed, periods between inspections being established by a fatigue-crack growth propagation approach. The lifecycle cost approach was applied for economic evaluation. Operation, maintenance and energy consumption costs were thus taken into consideration. The conclusion was drawn that it is highly advisable to use high performance ultrasonic inspection. Introducing ultrasonic inspection (according to the period of time obtained by fracture mechanics model) could lead to a saving of half a million dollars per year for the Cuban sugarcane industry in the current conditions.

Evaluation of policosanols as functional foods for cholesterol‐lowering

Studies conducted in Cuba have reported substantial reductions in plasma lipids using Cuban sugar cane policosanol mixtures. However, external research groups using different mixtures have failed to reproduce the efficacy of policosanols observed in the earlier studies. Objectives Evaluate the effect of the authentic sugar cane policosanols (SCP) on plasma lipids in healthy hypercholesterolemic volunteers. Design and Methods The effect of policosanols on lipid levels in humans was nested in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. 21 volunteers were administered 10 mg of SCP per day or a placebo incorporated in margarine as an afternoon snack, for a period of 28 days. Subjects were asked to maintain their habitual diet and physical activity, and body weights were monitored daily throughout the study period. Blood was collected at the start and end of the feeding period and lipid levels were measured using enzymatic kits. Results No significant difference was observed between treatment and control groups in plasma total, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Body weights did not vary significantly throughout the trial, and did not impact plasma lipid values. Conclusion The present study is the first to be conducted in North America using the authentic mixture of policosanols in order to examine their effect on lipid levels. Our results show no beneficial effect of policosanols on lipid parameters in hypercholesterolemic individuals and question the clinical usefulness of policosanol mixtures as cholesterol-lowering natural health products. Funded by AFMnet of NCE.

INTERNAL COLONIALISM: An American Theory of Race

This essay explores the historical genealogy of Internal Colonialism as an American theory of race from approximately 1950 to the early 1990s. Internal Colonialism as an idea originated in Latin America as part of a larger Marxist critique of development ideologies and was specifically elaborated by dependency theorists to explain the racial effects of poverty and isolation on indigenous communities. Black and Chicano radicals fascinated by the Cuban Revolution learned about the theory by reading Ernesto “Che” Guevara, by participating in the Venceremos Brigades harvesting Cuban sugar cane, and by the larger diffusion of Latin American dependency theory in the United States. Black nationalists and Chicano radicals embraced, transformed, and further elaborated on the idea of Internal Colonialism to explain their own subordinate status in the United States, which was the product of forced enslavement and military occupation. As a colonized population in the United States, Blacks and Chicanos suffered the effects of racism, were dominated by outsiders, much as colonial subjects in the Third World, and had seen their indigenous values and ways of life destroyed. As a theory that explained the effects of racism, it had its greatest popularity during the radicalization of the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s when nationalism and separatist ideas were in vogue. By the 1980s the theory had been abandoned in favor of more accommodationist politics and ideas.

Thermoeconomic analysis of a Cuban sugar cane mill

Cogeneration is usual practice in sugar-cane mills. In this work, thermoeconomic analysis is applied to the cogeneration system of a typical Cuban sugar-cane mill. Two different cost attribution methods, the extraction method and the equality method are used to evaluate the exergetic and monetary (operational) costs of each flux within the system, especially the steam and generated power. The methodology indicates the equipment responsible for the greatest irreversibility and for the increase in the costs of the products of the system.

Soil-plant relationi in Cuban sugar cane by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA)

This paper shows the result of soil-plant relation in samples from Cuban sugar canes of different soil types and cane varieties, using INAA from a thermal reactor. The behavior of minor and trace elements in sugar cane leaves is unifor and independent of sugar cane variety of type of soil. The soil-plant relation shows four principal groups of micro elements, according to their absorption by the plant.

Distributed Microcomputer Control in Real Time of the Process of Fermentation of Sugar Cane Derivatives (By-Product)

The main features of a distributed microcomputer system applied to the fermentation process of the by-products of the Cuban sugar cane industry are analized in this paper.The main features of the analyzed technological process are exposed in it, giving emphasis in the main variables which characterizes it. The features of the intended parallel processing system are studied. They function under the control of a processor called micromonitor. The main real time functions intended as well as a study of the programs of the processor diagnostic which permits to find out the possibles errors passing to a control form less efficient during the time it lasts.