Biotechnology Journal International

Sugar cane effluents, liquid waste from sugar production, require a qualitative study to ensure optimum energy recovery. The aim of this research is to determine the physicochemical (pH and Brix level) and biochemical (total sugars, reducing sugars, sucrose, glucose, trace metals and minerals) parameters of these effluents. Four types of effluent were sampled: rich sewage (effluent Ar), poor sewage (effluent Ap), molasses and washing water (effluent C). The effluents were also mixed, designated as mixed effluent (Ar + Ap + C). The pH and Brix values obtained for each of the effluents were as follows: Ar effluent: 6.75 and 65%; Ap effluent: 6.65 and 57%; C effluent: 7.13 and 2%; Ap + Ar + C effluent: 6.79 and 42%; and molasses: 6.65 and 72.5%. Total sugar, reducing sugar, sucrose and glucose in each sample are respectively: 25%, 0.08 g/L, 1.46 g/L, 0.026 g/L for Ap; 14%, 0.046, 0.83 g/L, 0.023 g/L for Ar; 2%, 0. 02 g/L, 0.10 g/L, 0.013 g/L for C; 21%, 0.04 g/L, 1.236 g/L, 0.03 g/L for molasses and 38%, 0.15g/L, 2.246 g/L, 0.053 g/L for Ar + Ap + C. Minerals present included potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) at varying levels, with no heavy metals detected. These results indicate a significant potential for energy recovery from the effluent analysed.