Assessment of Leuconostoc spp. invasion in standing sugarcane with cracks internode

Aim: The post-harvest deterioration is most vexing problems of sugar industry and these losses due to Leuconostoc spp. cause enormous depreciation in cane tonnage and recovery. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the invasion of Leuconostoc spp. in sugarcane. Methodology: Single internode is divided in three layers, viz., rind, first half and second half. Leuconsotoc spp. was grown and identified on specific growth media using juice from three portions of both the internodes (with cracks and without cracks) separately. Total Leuconostoc load, bacterial characterization, total soluble solids (TSS), reducing sugars (RS) and dextran were also determined. Results: The results revealed that cracked portions were incurred with Leuconostoc, however, rind layer had highest load followed by first half than the second half. More RS, high TSS and dextrans were quantified in cracked internode than without crack internode. Rind layer reported to have high RS, TSS and dextrans than the other portions. Interpretation: Canes possessing cracks had higher invasion of Leuconostoc spp., RS and dextran content than the ones lacking cracks leading to higher loss in sucrose content. Thus, there is a need to control these bacteria in sugarcane, especially in standing canes.