As Cusi has noted in a paper on the storage and deterioration of bagasse (1) the presence of residual sugars and other water solubles makes bagasse a very fertile substratum for the growth of all kinds of micro—organisms. The sugars in bagasse are broken down by aerobic bacteria. facultative anaerobes such as yeasts. and anaerobic bacteria into carbon dioxide and water. or alcohol and water, depending on prevailing conditions, with the release of a considerable amount of heat, especially under aerobic conditions. Continuing and side reactions also produce a variety of organic acids.