Black Pepper Powder
Black pepper powder is made from ground dried berries of Piper nigrum and is widely used as a spice and for medicinal purposes. Below are the general specifications:
1. Physical & Chemical Properties:
Appearance: Fine to coarse powder, dark brown to black in color
Odor: Strong, pungent, characteristic of black pepper
Taste: Spicy, hot, and slightly woody
Mesh Size: 30-60 mesh (as per requirement)
Moisture Content: ≤ 12%
Total Ash: ≤ 7%
Acid Insoluble Ash: ≤ 1%
Piperine Content: ≥ 4% (responsible for pungency)
Volatile Oil Content: ≥ 1.5% (contributes to aroma and flavor)
2. Microbiological Limits:
Total Plate Count: ≤ 100,000 CFU/g
Yeast & Mold: ≤ 1,000 CFU/g
E. Coli: Absent
Salmonella: Absent
Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): ≤ 5 ppb (as per international standards)
3. Heavy Metals & Contaminants:
Lead (Pb): ≤ 2 ppm
Arsenic (As): ≤ 1 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): ≤ 1 ppm
Pesticide Residue: Within permissible limits as per international standards
4. Applications:
Food Industry: Used as a seasoning and spice in a variety of dishes
Pharmaceuticals: Used in traditional medicine for digestion and anti-inflammatory properties
Cosmetics: Incorporated in skincare and aromatherapy products
Industrial Use: Used in spice blends and as a natural preservative
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