Scholars International Journal of Biochemistry (SIJB)
Volume-9 | Issue-02 | 58-66
Original Research Article
Phytochemical, Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum. L) and Sugarcane Biomass
Zainab Rabiu, Falilat Adeola Oseni, Fatima Sani Ishaq, Asiya Shehu Isah, Muhammad Ibrahim Usman, Iman Usman Haruna
Published : Aug. 22, 2026
Abstract
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a highly efficient agro-industry plant with known ability to accumulate biomass and produce sucrose sugar, making it an essential cash crop globally. This also results in the environmental pollution due to the accumulation of sugarcane biomass, the plant residues. left behind after extraction of sugar. This study was conducted to determine the phytochemicals contents, proximate, mineral, and antioxidant activities of sugarcane and its biomass, with a focus on their sustainable utilization through agricultural, therapeutic and industrial application. The samples were collected from Sharada market, Kano State, Nigeria, and analyzed for phytochemical using quantitative and qualitative method and antioxidant activities using the (DPPH, FRAP) method, proximate using standard Association of Analytical Chemistry (AOAC) methods and mineral using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).The results revealed that sugarcane biomass had higher fiber and carbohydrate content (26.01±0.02% and 79.34±6.96%, respectively) compared to raw sugarcane (19.19±0.02% and 62.75±0.96%). However, sugarcane had a higher moisture (2.41±0.34%), fat (1.52±0.64%), and protein content (0.42±0.01%) than the biomass. In terms of mineral composition, sugarcane exhibited higher iron (5.59±0.17 mg/l), manganese (0.20±0.002 mg/l), and calcium concentration (14.10±0.03mg/l), while the biomass contained more potassium (207.5±0.24 mg/l). The result revealed that sugarcane had higher total phenolic content (279.92±3.66), compared to sugarcane biomass (255.65±9.48), also contains higher total flavonoids content (95.90±2.04) compared to sugarcane biomass (88.79±1.33). However, sugarcane had a higher antioxidant activity in term of the DPPH assay with an IC50 value of (774.28±5.60) higher than the biomass which has (1234.64±8.03). In terms of Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) Sugarcane exhibited higher antioxidant activity at higher concentration while the biomass shows higher antioxidant activity at low concentration. Sugarcane and sugarcane biomass has strong antioxidant activity, this indicate that the sugarcane and sugarcane biomass are effective in giving antioxidant protection at various levels, inhibition of radical formation (by reducing iron complexes). These findings suggest that sugarcane and sugarcane biomass are richer in phytochemicals which makes it suitable for the treatment of several ailments. Also, that sugarcane is nutritionally richer in proteins and essential trace minerals, whereas the biomass is an excellent source of dietary fiber and macro minerals, making it suitable for bio-fuel production, animal feed, and soil enrichment. The utilization of sugarcane biomass as a renewable resource could alleviate environmental pollution caused by waste disposal while promoting sustainable agriculture and energy solutions. Therefore, utilizing the full potential of sugarcane