Rapid Analysis of Cane Juice by near Infra-red

An investigation was carried out to test the suitability of near infra-red reflectance (NIR) for rapidly estimating cane quality components. A large number of mixed cane juice samples of known pol, brix, sucrose, fructose, and glucose content were used to calibrate a Technicon Model 450 InfraAlyzer. Regression analyses indicated that brix, pol, and sucrose values obtained were closely correlated with those obtained by the conventional methods of analysis based on the refractometer, saccharimeter, and gas chromatograph (r = 0,90). Glucose and fructose values, however, were not well-correlated with those obtained by gas chromatography. The NIR method was also compared with the whole stalk analysis procedure used for determining pol, brix, fibre and moisture in cane, and preliminary results are reported as well as results using shredded cane samples. Indications are that a reasonably accurate estimate of cane juice quality can be rapidly achieved by this new technique.