Sugarcane Metabolomics and Its Applications in Value Addition

Metabolomics is a dynamic and reliable database of plant functionality as metabolites surpass the complexity of genes, transcripts, and proteins to emerge as ultimate receptors of genetic information. In the context of nutrition and health-conscious attitudes prevalent today, sugarcane metabolomics is gaining considerable progress in terms of technical capability as well as financial support. With the ever-rising cases of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, a majority of the global population is turning towards natural and sustainable options to combat health issues. Integration of state-of-the-art -omics approaches bring with them the competence to uncover novel and therapeutic compounds ignored either due to insufficient analytical capability or low abundance in the metabolome. Several metabolites including carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids with potential health benefits and amenable for industrial value addition have been identified in different organs (leaf, cane, root), products (juice, jaggery-based products, wax), and by-products (molasses, bagasse, press mud) of sugarcane. This chapter synthesises the available information on methodologies employed for metabolome development and cutting-edge technologies in sugarcane and other crops, metabolite profiles of sugarcane organs, products, and by-products, and their applications in value addition.