Sugarcane Wax - A Par Excellent by-Product of Sugar Industry - A Review

Abstract

Sugarcane is one of the major cash crops, used for the production of sugar and ethanol. Sugarcane processing, results in many by by-products like bagasse, molasses and press mud which have economic value. Also, the by-products serve to generate many value added products. Sugarcane wax is a value added product obtained by the processing of press mud. It has pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. n-Triacontanol, Policosanol, D-003 acids and waxes are some of the products derived from the sugarcane wax. This article attempt discusses the various methods of extraction of sugarcane wax, its constituents and its characteristics and applications of the products derived from the sugarcane wax.