Sugarcane Tops Research Articles

A biorefinery approach for sequential extraction of commercial grade xylan and alkali lignin from alkali pretreated sugarcane tops hydrolysate

Sequential extraction of xylan and lignin from alkali pretreated sugarcane tops (apSCT) hydrolysate was carried out. The xylan extracted from apSCT hydrolysate (apSCTx) was 26.5 g and the alkali lignin (apSCTal) was 8.5 g from 100 g of raw SCT. The composition analysis of apSCTx by high performance liquid chromatography showed 74% D-xylose, 15% D-glucuronic acid and 11% L-arabinose residues. The analysis of apSCTx by high performance size exclusion chromatography showed molecular size, ∼58 kDa. The first derivative of thermogravimetric analysis of apSCTx showed a Td (thermal degradation temperature) at 275ºC. The elemental (CHNS) analysis of apSCTx displayed the presence of only carbon and hydrogen. The absence of nitrogen and sulfur in the extracted apSCTx displayed that the xylan is pure and without the protein and lignin. The specific activity of recombinant clostridial endoxylanase (CtXyn11A) was 1823 ± 51 U/mg. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Thin-layer chromatography analyses of CtXyn11A hydrolyzed apSCTx displayed a series of linear xylooligosaccharides ranging between 2 and 5 degrees of polymerization. apSCTx can serve as a potential commercial substrate and also for xylooligosaccharides production. The characterization of apSCTal by Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy showed the exposed spherical structures of alkali lignin. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic analysis of apSCTal displayed the peaks corresponding to those obtained from commercial alkali lignin. CHNS analysis of apSCTal confirmed the absence of protein impurities. The first derivative of the thermogravimetric analysis of apSCTal showed Td at 362ºC, similar to the previously reported softwood lignin. The extracted apSCTal can be used as feedstock for the production of aromatic chemicals. The biorefinery approach of sequential extraction of apSCTx and apSCTal from alkali pretreated SCT hydrolysate waste can enhance the economics of the extraction process.

Evaluation of the nutritive value of sugar cane tops and its silage at Wondogenet, Sidama, Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Wondogenet Agricultural Research Center to investigate the effect of urea and urea plus molasses treatment on nutritive value of sugarcane tops and its silage. The green sugarcane top that was purchased from the surrounding farmers during the harvesting time was chopped to the favorable size for silage and ensiled with or without 1% molasses, 4% urea and 4% urea + 1% molasses in plastic silos for 21 days. Results revealed that dry matter content of the silage varied between 30.13 % and 41.86%, protein content between 5.33% and 12.49%, ash content between 2.3% and 9.03%, NDF content between 64.84% and 73.1%, ADF content between 39.09% and 41.79%, pH between 4.15 and 4.47, Fleig score between 86.46 and 111.52, digestibility of dry matter between 56.3% and 58.4%, dry matter intake between 1.6% and 1.9%, relative feed value between 74.1 and 83.4, depending on the urea and urea plus molasses treated additives. Sugarcane top ensiled with urea-based additives showed better CP content than the treatments without additive and treated with molasses. Sugarcane top silage of the current study was of bad and/or unacceptable quality in terms of the NDF ratio and good and/or medium in terms of the ADF ratio according to the roughage quality standard for farm animals. In terms of the Fleig score, it was determined that the quality of the sugarcane top silage could be classified as “very good” (Fleig score >85) and the pH value of ≤ 4.53, was within the acceptable range in quality silage. Generally, adding urea and urea plus molasses additives improved nutritional value and utilization of sugarcane top silage.

Effects of pyroligneous acid as silage additive on fermentation quality and bacterial community structure of waste sugarcane tops

This article intends to improve the recycling of waste sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) tops and the value-added utilization of pyroligneous acid. Fresh sugarcane tops can be used by ruminants, but they are prone to dehydration and mildew during storage, reducing their feeding value. Pyroligneous acid, a by-product in the process of making biochar, has good antibacterial effects. Adding pyroligneous acid to sugarcane tops for silage fermentation may be an effective way to promote the recycling of sugarcane tops. Thus, the fermentation quality and bacterial community of sugarcane tops ensiled with or without 1–2% pyroligneous acid for 5, 10, 20, or 100 days were investigated. Results showed that pyroligneous acid increased the acetic acid content and reduced ammonia-N concentration, and numbers of coliform bacteria and molds in sugarcane tops silages. On the other hand, the addition of pyroligneous acid decreased the diversity of bacteria in sugarcane-top silage. Pyroligneous acid decreased Firmicutes and Leuconostoc relative abundances while increasing Lactobacillus relative abundances. Fermentation was also limited by the addition of pyroligneous acid, which reduced metabolic activities during ensiling.Graphical abstract

Dynamic Changes in Microbial Succession and Fermentation Profiles of Sugarcane Tops Silage Treated With Exogenous Enzymes and Lactic Acid Bacteria Following Various Duration of Ensiling

Dynamic Changes in Microbial Succession and Fermentation Profiles of Sugarcane Tops Silage Treated With Exogenous Enzymes and Lactic Acid Bacteria Following Various Duration of Ensiling

Fermentation quality, nutritive value and in vitro ruminal digestion of Napier grass, sugarcane top and their mixed silages prepared using lactic acid bacteria and formic acid

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the fermentation quality, nutritive value and in vitro ruminal digestion of silages produced with mixtures of Napier grass (NG) and sugarcane top (ST) in five different ratios of fresh matter: 100:0 (N100), 75:25 (N75), 50:50 (N50), 25:75 (N25) and 0:100 (N0) with or without lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and formic acid (FA). The NG contained a higher crude protein (CP) content and buffering capacity, but lower dry matter (DM), organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and water‐soluble carbohydrates contents than ST. The N25 silage fermented well, with a significantly higher lactic acid (LA) content (p < .05) and lower pH and NH3‐N concentration than those of other mixed silages (p < .05). The FA addition resulted in the highest CP content and lowest pH, LA, acetic acid (AA) and NH3‐N contents, while LAB addition resulted in the highest LA content compared with other treatments. Although in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) did not significantly differ among the mixed silages (p > .05), mixing with ST and adding LAB or FA increased the IVDMD. Gas production (GP) and AA content of N25 silages were significantly higher than those of other silages (p < .05). The LAB‐ or FA‐treated silages had higher IVDMD, GP, total volatile fatty acid and AA contents (p < .05) but lower pH compared with the control silage (p < .05). These results demonstrated that NG utilization improved upon mixing with ST due to the enhanced fermentation during ensiling, and the optimum mixing ratio for NG and ST was 25:75 on FM basis. Using LAB and FA as additives during ensiling can improve silage fermentation quality and in vitro ruminal digestion.

Elimination of zinc ions from aqueous solution by a hydroxylapatite-biochar composite material with the hierarchical porous microstructures of sugarcane waste

A hydroxylapatite-biochar composite material with the hierarchical porous microstructures of sugarcane top internodes (HAP/C-SC) was produced by carbonizing sugarcane top stalks, an agricultural waste residue, and then soaking them in limewater and (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 solution in turns. The HAP/C-SC with the surface area of 8.52–28.44 m 2 /g inherited various macropores from parallel vessels, thick-walled cells of sclerenchyma, thin-walled cells of storage parenchyma, and pits in cell and vessel walls of sugarcane top stalks. When the initial Zn 2+ concentration is 5–400 mg/L, the Zn 2+ absorption capacity of HAP/C-SC is 19.91, 22.54, and 25.37 mg/g at 25 °C, 35 °C, and 45 °C, respectively, which is equivalent to the Zn 2+ absorption capacity of synthetic nano-hydroxyapatite. The HAP/C-SC showed a good removal performance for Zn cations, and the adsorption followed Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model well. The Zn-containing hydroxylapatite solid solutions [(Zn x Ca 1‒x ) 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH)] were considered to be the key mechanism for Zn 2+ elimination, which formed through the co-action processes including adsorption, ion exchange (x = 0.06–0.12) and dissolution-precipitation (x = ∼0.27). The M(2) vacancy sites are believed to be energetically more favorable for the Zn ion occupation. The substitution and occupation of M(2) sites by Zn ions may be affected by spatial constraints. • One kind of porous biomorph-genetic composite of HAP/C was prepared. • The material retained the hierarchical porous microstructure of sugarcane top. • The material has different pores from vascular, parenchyma, sclerenchyma and pits. • The elimination capacity for Zn(II) is comparable to nano-hydroxyapatite. • The adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order equation and Langmuir isotherm.

Synergistic Effect of LAB Strains (Lb. fermentum and Pediococcus acidilactisci) with Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes on Quality and Fermentation Characteristics of Sugarcane Tops Silage

Synergistic Effect of LAB Strains (Lb. fermentum and Pediococcus acidilactisci) with Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes on Quality and Fermentation Characteristics of Sugarcane Tops Silage

The Effect of Urea Level and Ripening Time on Nutrient Content on Ammoniation of Sugarcane Shoots Waste

Raising livestock on a large scale, especially ruminants, requires large amounts of green fodder, the availability of natural feed is not yet fully reliable, therefore breeders must provide extensive forage areas that require investment costs. the big one. To obtain nutritional value, as well as good crude fiber and easy to digest, it needs processing first. One of the effective animal feed processing methods which can increase the crude protein content, reduce the crude fiber content, increase the flavor and soften the structure of the feed ingredients so that it is preferred by livestock is the ammoniation method. The purpose of this study was to see the effect of ammonia on the nutritional content of feed waste, to increase the nutritional content of the waste, to find the best urea level, to obtain the best curing time for the ammoniation of sugarcane shoots on the ammonia content of sugarcane shoots waste. This study used a completely randomized design method, the factorial pattern consisted of 3 types of treatment with 3 replications with urea percentage A: 2%, B: 3%, C: 4%, with curing time of 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. Parameters measured, dry matter content, organic matter, crude protein content, crude fat (LK), crude fiber (SK). Keywords: Sugarcane Tops, Ammonia, Nutrient Content, Fiber Fraction.

An integrated biorefinery approach for bioethanol production from sugarcane tops

Bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is a promising alternative to petroleum-based fuels to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. The lignocellulosic biomass is exploited for ethanol production due to its sustainability and abundance. Sugarcane tops, an agricultural residue, was employed in the present investigation to assess its potential as a feedstock for bioethanol production by adopting different fermentation approaches, namely separate fermentation, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and partially consolidated bioprocessing (PCBP). The present study demonstrated the potential of mono and co-fermentation for ethanol production. Comparison between separate fermentation and SSF using S.cerevisiae showed the latter to be more efficient with ethanol production of 5.69% (v/v) in 30.67 h of fermentation time than separate fermentation with 3.76% (v/v) ethanol in 48 h. An integrated fermentation strategy stated as partially consolidated bioprocessing (PCBP) was investigated to improve fermentation efficiency. This process integrates simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification (SPS), conducted by enzyme blends of laccase and cellulase followed by co-fermentation using S. cerevisiae and xylose-fermenting yeast AKBR 212. This approach resulted in a 7.57% (v/v) maximum ethanol concentration in 24.30 h. The different fermentation strategies involved enzymes and yeasts only, thus offering a green biotechnology approach towards converting sugarcane tops into bioethanol.

Nutritional improvement of oil palm and sugarcane plantation waste by solid-state fermentation of Marasmiellus palmivorus

The agricultural sector of Indonesia comprises large oil palm and sugarcane plantations. Nearly 50% of the material resulted in organic waste with high lignin and cellulose content during palm oil and sugarcane production. The lignocellulolytic activity of white-rot fungi has been reported to improve the digestibility and nutrient content of plantation waste into feedstock. This study treated lignocellulose waste, including palm kernel meal, oil palm empty fruit bunch, oil palm frond, sugarcane tops, and sugarcane pressmud with white-rot fungi solid-state fermentation system in a petri dish with two replicates. The growth of the fungus in each waste was observed. The Nutrient content, including water, ash, lipid, protein, crude fiber; and the digestibility, including crude and organic fiber digestion of fermented and unfermented waste, were measured. The molecular identification of white-rot fungi in this study was revealed to be Marasmiellus palmivorus. The result indicated that fermentation of M. palmivorus increased the protein level of sugarcane pressmud, palm kernel meal, oil palm frond, and empty fruit bunch. Fermentation also improved digestibility up to 12%. It is concluded that M. palmivorus has a high potential to enhance the digestibility and nutritive value of lignocellulose waste in oil palm and sugarcane plantations.

Optimization of Saccharification and Fermentation of Alkali Pretreated Sugarcane Tops for Higher Scale Bioethanol Production Using Microbial Consortium

Optimization of Saccharification and Fermentation of Alkali Pretreated Sugarcane Tops for Higher Scale Bioethanol Production Using Microbial Consortium

Pyrolysis kinetic parameters investigation of single and tri-component biomass: Models fitting via comparative model-free methods

Kinetic parameters of pyrolysis reaction were important data for simulations of thermal conversion processes of biomass. This study aimed to develop a proper kinetics investigation method for the pyrolysis reaction. Here, a quasi-single reaction of pyrolysis was assumed to simplify the reactions. The model comparison among three favorite model-free methods including Ozawa-Flynn-Wall, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Friedman methods, was considered. From TGA results of three biomasses, i.e., corn cob, Napier grass, and sugarcane top and leaves, they indicated that using parameters values via Friedman method in a conversion range of 0.1–0.6 could give conversion curves mostly in good agreement with experimental results when deriving them in a polynomial order of 2 (quadratic) regression model and using a reaction order of 3. Another purpose of the study was to investigate effect of mixing different biomasses on kinetics of pyrolysis reaction by plotting the parameters in a ternary diagram of tri-component biomass which was mixture of the herein biomasses. The diagram indicated that mixtures with more high-hemicellulose biomass (like corn cob) would show less activation energy in a temperature range of 220–315 °C. While mixtures with more high-cellulose biomass (like sugarcane top and leaves) would show less activation energy in a temperature range of 315–400 °C.

Unraveling the potential of sugarcane electricity for climate change mitigation in Brazil

Bioenergy is expected to play an essential role in greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in the future energy sector. In Brazil, sugarcane electricity appears as a reliable option with low GHG emissions when compared to fossil alternatives. The sugarcane sector mostly produces electricity from bagasse, while straw (sugarcane tops and leaves) presents a vast potential for additional electricity production and mitigation of climate change. The suitability and potential of straw recovery are site-specific, depends on climatic conditions, and may influence soil quality and sugarcane yields. This study estimates the potential electricity production in Brazil from sugarcane bagasse and straw and their potential to avoid GHG emissions in the energy sector. A map of suitability classes for straw recovery was developed to help to assess the amount of straw that could be strategically recovered from the fields for bioenergy production. Results show that up to 13% of the GHG emissions of the electricity sector in Brazil could be mitigated by improving the cogeneration system in existing sugarcane mills and recovering, based on the suitability maps, 62% of produced straw. Considering an expansion of 3 million hectares of sugarcane projected by the RenovaBio policy, sugarcane electricity exports could reach up to 159 TWh per year, which would avoid 72 million tCO2eq per year, equivalent to 8% of the Brazilian Nationally Determined Contributions mitigation target for 2030. A more assertive management of sugarcane residues has an enormous potential to increase sugarcane electricity production in Brazil while helping the country meet its climate mitigation targets.

Alkaline pretreatment and response surface methodology based recombinant enzymatic saccharification and fermentation of sugarcane tops

In present study, the water-soluble extractives removal prior to alkali pretreatment of sugarcane tops (SCT) was carried out. The solid alkali pretreated SCT (apSCT) recovered on Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis showed exposure of cellulosic fibres as compared with raw SCT. The analyses of apSCT by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis also confirmed the enhanced cellulose content in apSCT. Optimum conditions for response surface methodology based saccharification of apSCT at 40 °C, 150 rpm were 2.14% (w/v) apSCT loading in citrate–phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 6.0), recombinant hydrolytic enzymes (from Clostridium/Hungateiclostridium thermocellum) loading for endo-1,4-β-glucanase (CtCel8A) = 213.2 U/g, cellobiohydrolase (CtCBH5A) = 272.5 U/g and β-glucosidase (HtBg1) = 299.8 U/g for 49.2 h. Under optimized saccharification conditions, the total reducing sugar yield was 265 mg/g (glucose 214 mg/g) of apSCT. Fermentation of produced glucose by S. cerevisiae gave 0.19 g/g glucose of bioethanol.

Investigating nutritive value of wheat straw and sugarcane tops treated with bacteria with lignin and lignocellulose-degrading potential isolated from Zeuzera pyrina L. larvae gut

هدف از انجام مطالعه حاضر بررسی ارزش تغذیه‌ای کاه گندم و سرشاخه نیشکر عمل‌آوری شده توسط باکتری‌های تجزیه کننده لیگنین و لیگنوسلولز جدا شده از دستگاه گوارش لارو کرم خراط (Zeuzera pyrina L.) بود. بدین منظور، ابتدا بر اساس آنالیز توالی 16S rDNA، سه ایزوله باکتریایی با قابلیت تجزیه‌کنندگی لیگنین و لیگنوسلولز شامل انتروباکتر کلواسه (Enterobacter cloacae)، استافیلوکوکوس اسکویری (Staphylococcus sciuri) و گونه بروی‌باکتریوم (Brevibacterium sp.) از دستگاه گوارش این کرم جداسازی شد. سپس هر کدام از دو سوبسترای کاه گندم و سرشاخه نیشکر به‌طور مجزا توسط هر کدام از ایزوله‌های مذکور یا مخلوط هر سه آن‌ها (4 تیمار آزمایشی برای هر سوبسترا) فرآوری شدند. در هر دو سوبسترا، بیشترین میزان ناپدید شدن ماده خشک، پروتئین خام، گوارش‌پذیری ماده خشک و انرژی قابل متابولیسم در تیمار حاوی مخلوط باکتریایی روده‌ی کرم خراط و کمترین در تیمار شاهد به دست آمد. بیشترین حجم و پتانسیل تولید گاز (b) پس از عمل‎‌آوری سوبستراها توسط مخلوط باکتریایی روده‌ی کرم خراط در مقایسه با تیمار شاهد به دست آمد. در هر دو سوبسترا، بیشترین غلظت کل اسیدهای چرب فرار شکمبه، استات، نسبت استات به پروپیونات و غلظت آمونیاک توسط انکوباسیون تیمار تلقیح شده با مخلوط باکتریایی در مقایسه با تیمار شاهد به دست آمد. در کل، نتایج این پژوهش نشان داد که عمل‌آوری کاه گندم و سرشاخه نیشکر توسط باکتری‌های مجزای روده‌ی کرم خراط، به خصوص مخلوط آنها سبب بهبود ارزش غذایی پسماندهای مذکور از طریق افزایش قابلیت هضم ماده خشک و غلظت اسیدهای چرب فرار شکمبه جهت استفاده به‌عنوان خوراک دام شد.

Growth Performance, Nitrogen Balance and Blood Biochemical Parameters on Feeding TMR Diet Containing Sugarcane Tops Silage Supplemented with Lactic Acid Bacteria Inoculants and Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes in Crossbred Calves

Background: Preservation of green sugarcane tops (SCT) as silage is still challenging due to its low fermentation coefficient. Present study was undertaken to assess the effect of different combination of additives on nutrient utilisation and growth performance in crossbred (Karan fries) heifers fed SCT silage based total mixed diet.Methods: Sugarcane tops (300 g DM/kg fresh matter) ensiled for 30 days in plastic jumbo silo bags (500 kg capacity) in three different treatments viz. SCTB1, SCTB2 and SCTB3 silages. Total mixed ration (TMR) TMRB1, TMRB2 and TMRB3 were prepared, containing 40 part concentrate and 60 part sugarcane tops SCTB1, SCTB2 and SCTB3 silages, respectively. Eighteen crossbred calves of similar body weights (115 kg) and age (11 months) were divided in three group and offered dietary treatments: TMRB1, TMRB2 and TMRB3 for sixty days. Feed intake (daily) and body weight (weekly) was recorded. Blood samples were collected (monthly) for glucose, creatinine, BUN, plasma calcium, ALT and AST levels estimates. Result: On 30th day SCT silage samples were analysed, pH and NDF content was found lower (p less than 0.05) whereas lactic acid content was higher (p less than 0.05) in SCTB2 and SCTB3 than SCTB1 silage. Feed intake, growth performance, nitrogen balance and blood biochemical parameters were remained similar among the groups. Total tract digestibility of NDF and ADF was found higher (p less than 0.05) in groups TMRB2 and TMRB3 than TMRB1. It may be concluded that LAB and EFE supplementation on SCT silage improved fibre digestibility (NDF and ADF) of TMR diet however, feed intake, growth performance and blood parameters were not affected in crossbred calves.

Quality Improvement of Sugarcane Top as Animal Feed with Biodelignification by Phanerochaete Chrysosporium Fungi on In-vitro Digestibility of NDF, ADF, Cellulose and Hemicellulose

The aims of this research were to improve the nutrients digestibility of sugarcane top fiber fractions (ADF, NDF, Cellulose and Hemicellulose) through biodelignification process using Phanerochaete chrysosporium fungi as forage feed. This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with 4 treatments and 5 rumen fluid sources as a group. The treatments consisted of: A=sugarcane top (without fermentation), B=sugarcane top fermented with 5% Phanerochaete chrysosporium, C=sugarcane top fermented with 10% Phanerochaete chrysosporium, D=sugarcane top fermented with 15% Phanerochaete chrysosporium with fermentation times is 21 days. The results of experiment showed that dose of 10% Phanerochete chrysosporium with a fermentation time of 21 days could improve the digestibility of sugarcane top fiber fractions, as indicated by the higher digestibility of NDF (54.21%), ADF (53.06%), Cellulose (49.10%), and Hemicellulose. (57.73%).

Feed and fodder availability for cattle in shamli district of Uttar Pradesh

A study was conducted on 90 respondents of cattle keepers from three blocks of Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. During the study it was found that sugarcane topes were the main fodder with mixed with some green grasses or without grasses from October to May months. The mostly green fodder is available in their respective seasons. However, about 96.66% fodders are fed through chaffing. The sugarcane tops fed with mix of barseem or mustard cake or others concentrates in the months of January to May. Whereas, wheat straw is used by the 31.11% respondents with the mixed other green fodders or concentrate followed by Jawar, Karbi, Barseem and Lobia as 27.77, 3.33, 2.22 and 2.22%, respectively, different fodder was available in study area of Shamli district. In the study it was observed that cultivated green fodder in their land or either in rent field. The most cultivated green fodder in different season Sugarcane tops, Berseem, Lobia, and Jawer major fodder crops of the area.

Nanobiocatalysts for efficacious bioconversion of ionic liquid pretreated sugarcane tops biomass to biofuel

This work aimed to study the hydrolysis of ionic liquid (IL) pretreated sugarcane tops (SCT) biomass with in-house developed IL-stable enzyme preparation, from a fungal isolate Aspergillus flavus PN3. Maximum reducing sugar yield (181.18 mg/g biomass) was obtained from tris (2-hydroxyethyl) methylammonium-methylsulfate ([TMA]MeSO4) pretreated biomass. Pretreatment parameters were optimized to attain enhanced sugar yield (1.57-fold). Functional mechanism of IL mediated pretreatment of SCT biomass was elucidated by SEM, XRD, FTIR and 1H NMR studies. Furthermore, nanobiocatalysts prepared by immobilization of enzyme preparation by covalent coupling on magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with amino-propyl triethoxysilane, were assessed for their hydrolytic efficacy and reusability. Nanobiocatalysts were examined by SEM and FTIR analysis for substantiation of immobilization. This is the first ever report of application of magnetic nanobiocatalysts for saccharification of IL-pretreated sugarcane tops biomass.

Impact of tops and green leaves on sugarcane processing: laboratory testing

In Réunion, changes in harvesting practices have led to increased amounts of sugarcane tops and leaves delivered to factories. To anticipate the changes in sugar recovery processing, laboratory trials were undertaken. Samples with known quantities of tops or green leaves were prepared and cane processing was simulated at laboratory scale: juice extraction, clarification and evaporation with operating parameters similar to those in the factory. Juice and syrup were collected and analyzed for sugar quality parameters, as well as parameters that impact sugar recovery or processing quality: ash and reducing sugars contents were monitored to estimate the sucrose loss to molasses, while calcium, phosphate and oxalate contents were monitored to evaluate the risk of fouling in evaporator. Results highlight a degradation of juice composition with increasing quantities of tops and leaves, an increase in lime consumption, and color. An increase in residual calcium in syrup was observed thus increasing the risk of evaporator fouling. The mixed juice, clear juice and syrup qualities declined in the same proportion and the composition of the juice did not get worse with juice treatment.