Crystallization of the organic sugar cane syrup.
Patricio Alejandro Merino Córdova.[1], =
Shakespeare
Agustín Abarca Córdova. [2],
Byron Fabricio Estupiñan Cox.[3] &=
amp;
Daniel Eriel Izquierdo García.[4]
Recibido: 10-10-2018 / Revisado:
17-11-2018 /Aceptado: 04-12-2018/ Publicado: 05-01-2019
The sustainability of sugar cane production by sma=
ll
farmers in Mauritius is seriously at risk due to several factors. These
include: an increase in production costs and lower profitability caused by =
the
fall in the international price of sugar. The situation is worsening, leadi=
ng
to widespread abandonment or conversion of lands, with social, economic and
environmental consequences for local communities.
Keywords: Sugar
cane, sugar cane land production
environment
Resumen
La sostenibilidad de la producción de caña de azúcar por par=
te
de pequeños agricultores en Mauricio está seriamente en riesgo debido a var=
ios
factores. Estos incluyen: un aumento en los costos de producción y una menor
rentabilidad causada por la caída en el precio internacional del azúcar. La
situación está empeorando, dando lugar a un abandono o conversión generaliz=
ada
de tierras, con consecuencias sociales, económicas y ambientales para las
comunidades locales.
Palabras clave: Caña de azúcar, A=
mbiente
de producción de caña de azúcar.
&n=
bsp; Introduction.Exponent of the sugarcane plant togethe=
r with the beet, the sugarcane is a plant that, although typical of the tro=
pics, enjoys worldwide fame for the manufacture of the sweetener par excell=
ence, sugar. However, the use of sugarcane does not target only human food:=
in fact, particularly in recent years, the sugar plant is also used to obt=
ain a biological propellant, the biofuel.In botany, sugar cane is known as Sacch= arum officinarum, a plant that belongs to the Graminaceous family: the genu= s includes almost 40 different species and the most recognized commercial c= ultivars are hybrid complexes.
Background=
Sugarcane is a perennial plant native t=
o New Guinea: thanks to the Arabs, it was introduced first in Spain and the=
n in Sicily, and then spread, immediately after the discovery of America, i=
n the so-called West Indies.Although its cultivation is still possi=
ble in some regions of southern Italy, it is not cultivated in our country;=
In Europe, sugar cane is widely grown only in the Iberian Peninsula, while=
in other parts of the world it is processed throughout Asia, America, Ocea=
nia and Africa.In addition to sugarcane production, th=
e plant is grown to obtain fresh salsa (guarapo) obtained by pressing and s=
queezing the culm; in addition, sugar cane is the matrix of fermented alcoh=
olic beverages, liquors and alcohol.Botanical analysisSaccharum officinarum is a perennial tr=
opical plant with a thick habit, which reaches an average of 4-5 meters in =
height, even if some species exceed 6 meters. The plant has a hard and angu=
lar rhizome, from which numerous woody stems interspersed with knots emerge=
. More than the drums, in the sugar cane we speak of canes, typically hollo=
w, comparable to those of the bamboo: each plant is formed by a main "=
stem" branched in numerous aerial baskets.The culm has a diameter of 3 to 5 centi=
meters, capable of reaching, or exceeding, even 10 kg of weight. The color,=
variable according to the species and the variety, can be yellow, violet, =
green or reddish.The stems are covered with very long gr=
een leaves, lanceolate and embedded in knots with a pod that surrounds the =
culm. The flowers, very similar to those of oats and wheat, are collected i=
n inflorescences called panicles, which can reach quite large dimensions (9=
0 cm). The sugar is obtained from a syrupy fluid present inside the stem.Reproduction and maturation.
The reproduction of the plant is usuall=
y produced by cuttings: its transplant, which must take place in the middle=
of spring, requires an abundant amount of water so that, in the following =
months, a large amount of sugar can accumulate within the sap. It is correc=
t to point out that, at the moment of harvesting for the subsequent extract=
ion of sugar, the culm should not be torn, but cut, leaving the root unharm=
ed: in this way, the stem can grow again and develop, the following year, i=
t is ready for a new collection. In fact, sugarcane takes 12 months to reac=
h full maturity; there are certainly no exceptions: in some areas, the plan=
t takes 24 months to fully mature, while in another 6 months it is sufficie=
nt.Production of sugarcane in Ecuador"Sugarcane is considered one of th=
e main production products in Latin America, for Ecuador its representation=
has its importance although to a lesser degree. The data of the Central Ba=
nk, informs us, that: the production of sugarcane contributes 1.4% to the n=
ational GDP and generates more than 30,000 direct and 80,000 indirect jobs,=
especially in the dry season of its harvest (July to December). Below are =
some interesting data on the production of this tropical plant "(Barci=
a, 2012).International Marketingsold at an FOB value of $ 9,203,340 in = 2011. Our main international plaintiffs are: United States, since it was ex= ported 11,098,810 (Tm) for a value of $ 7,735,870; followed by Peru with 6.= 21 (Tm) at a value of $ 10,080 and Spain with 2.52 (Tm) at a value of $ 4,4= 00 "(Banco Central del Ecuador, 2012 sf).
Graphic. One= Sugar Exports (Quantities in tons)
Year |
Quantity in t=
ons |
Unit value $ =
/ tm |
2005 |
13787 |
1690 |
2006 |
14145 |
1813 |
2007 |
12825 |
1988 |
2008 |
14458 |
2250 |
2009 |
9942 |
2217 |
=
2010 |
=
11348 |
=
2467 |
Source: Research Group. Prepared by: Research group