Organic acid content of sugarcane juice as affected by plant maturity

Abstract

Levels of trans-aconitic, malic, malonic and succinic acids were measured in sugarcane juice from three varieties in four maturity stages. Trans-aconitic acid represented about 84% of the total organic acids analysed in sugarcane juice followed by malic acid with 14%. Oxalic, glutaric, alpha-ketoglutaric and citric acids were found in levels lower than 1% of total organic acids. The content of trans-aconitic, malic and succinic acids decreased with the stage of maturity while malonic acid increased. No significant differences were observed among the varieties studied in relation to trans-aconitic acid content.