Sweet Sorghum has been evaluated as a complementary source of raw material for ethanol production in microdistillery. Sorghum culms can be processed in the same installation utilized for the production of ethanol from sugar cane, giving an ample fiber residue (bagasse) to generate enough steam for industrial operation. The results obtained in a two years experimental work showed that sweet sorghum cultivar Br 505 could be a recommendable alternate crop to complement sugar cane in the production of ethanol in microdistillery. The total reducing sugar content of the culms was not significantly different when compared to those of sugar cane earlier harvested. The culms presented a total reducing sugar content of 33 to 40%, on dry basis. In this case the utilization of sweet sorghum culms between the sugar cane harvesting season can reduce the microdistillery inactive period. Besides the grains, the distillery residues and by-products can be used in other activities directed to food production in the rural property. The utilization of the two crops as raw material for alcohol production in microdistillery can provide a better use of sugar cane after reaching complete maturity present high sugar content in the culms.
Sugar cane; sweet sorghum; ethanol
