Mineral Compositions of Sugarcane Juice Cultivated in Papalanto, Ogun State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue X, October 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Mineral Compositions of Sugarcane Juice Cultivated in Papalanto, Ogun State, Nigeria

Afolayan Olubisola Arike^1*, Afolabi Oluwabukola Racheal¹, Kayode Omowumi Titilola² and Kayode Azeez Abideen Abolanle^3*

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, P.M.B 50, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria
²Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, P.M.B 1001, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
³Department of Chemical Sciences, Anchor University, P.M.B 001 Ipaja, Lagos State, Nigeria
*Corresponding authors

Abstract:- Papalanto, Ogun State is one of the locations where sugar cane (Saccharium offinarium) is grown and largely cultivated in Nigeria. Mineral compositions of the sugarcane juice in this area is not yet reported. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the mineral content of the sugarcane cultivars in Papalanto, Ogun state, Nigeria. The result of the study shows that calcium is present in both the NPK-treated sugarcane (that is, fertilizers was used for this cultivar) and the untreated sugarcane (no fertilizers added) samples at about the same level. Concentrations of zinc and potassium were found to be significantly higher in the NPK- treated sugarcane samples than the untreated samples. The findings of this research work suggest that the mineral contents of the NPK-treated sugar cane are higher than their untreated counterpart. Consumption of the NPK-treated sugarcane by the people of the area and beyond should therefore be encouraged. Further work is required to detect and explain the biochemical basis for the high mineral contents of the NPK-treated sugar cane.

Keywords: Sugar cane, NPK-treated, Minerals, Zinc, Potassium

Abbreviations: NPK- N=Nitrogen, P=Phosphorus, K=Potassium

I. INTRODUCTION

Several agricultural crops have been tried in the past in Nigeria that absolutely supported the economy. These crops mainly include groundnuts, cotton, sorghum, millet, maize, rice, and sugarcane, among others, from northern parts of the country. Crops such as cocoa, palm kennel, cassava and cashew, to mention a few, are grown in the southern parts of the country [1]. Girei and Giroh, (2012) opined that sugarcane has enormous industrial potentials. Apart from sugar which is the major industrial product obtained from sugarcane, by-products like ethanol, bagasse and molasses are produced, and are also of economic importance[2]. Ahmed (2013), emphasized on the utilization of sugarcane by-products in the paper industry, co-generation of power, and above all, serving as very important source for employment for the teeming population[3].

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