Storage of bagasse: Loose covered piles or bales?

The storage of bagasse has recently been studied at the Sugar Research Institute (SRI). The emphasis of the work has been to minimise the numbers of Thermoactinomyces sacchari spores which develop during storage. The relationship between the initial bagass~ moisture content and the T. sacchari spore concentration has been studied in both loose-packed piles of bagasse covered with tarpaulins anq baled bagasse. Drying the bagasse to 20% moisture prior to piling or baFng sIgnificantly reduced the T. sacchari spore concentration compared to fresh bagasse. Drying to 30% moisture had some effect on reducing T. sacchari spore counts, but not as substantial as drying to 20%. There was a significant difference in mic:robial distribution between piles and bales. In the piles, the T. sacchari spores were only found in the outer layer of the pile. The depth of the outer layer was dependent on initial bagasse moisture. In contrast, the T. sacchari spores were evenly distributed through each bale, with the concentration being dependent on the initial bagasse moisture.