Jaggery powder is a finely ground, unrefined natural sweetener made from sugarcane juice or palm sap. It is widely used in food, confectionery, beverages, and pharmaceutical applications. Below are the general specifications for jaggery powder:

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Fine, free-flowing powder

Color: Light golden yellow to dark brown (depends on processing and raw material)

Odor & Taste: Sweet, characteristic jaggery aroma, free from off-odors or fermentation

Texture: Free from lumps, smooth, and non-sticky

Moisture Content: Max 5-8%

Solubility: Completely soluble in warm water

Chemical Properties:

Sucrose Content: 65-85%

Reducing Sugars (Glucose & Fructose): 10-25%

Total Carbohydrates: 85-95%

Protein: 0.5-1%

Ash Content: Max 3%

pH (5% solution): 5.5 - 7.0

Minerals (per 100g):

Calcium: 80-100 mg

Iron: 10-15 mg

Magnesium: 50-90 mg

Potassium: 100-300 mg

Microbiological Standards (For Food & Pharmaceutical Use):

Total Plate Count: Max 100,000 CFU/g

Yeast & Mold: Max 1,000 CFU/g

Coliforms: <10 CFU/g

E. Coli: Absent

Salmonella: Absent

Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): Max 10 ppb

Contaminants & Adulterants:

Pesticide Residues: As per country-specific regulations (FSSAI, EU, FDA)

Heavy Metals:

Lead (Pb): <0.2 ppm

Cadmium (Cd): <0.1 ppm

Arsenic (As): <0.1 ppm

Mercury (Hg): <0.05 ppm

Sulfur Dioxide (SO): Max 70 ppm (for non-organic jaggery)

Artificial Additives & Preservatives: Must be absent

Applications of Jaggery Powder:

Food Industry: Used as a natural sweetener in confectionery, bakery, dairy products, and health foods

Beverages: Used in herbal teas, traditional drinks, and energy drinks

Pharmaceuticals & Ayurveda: Used in herbal medicines and detox remedies

Animal Feed: Used as an energy source in cattle feed

Industrial Use: Used in fermentation, bioethanol production, and jaggery-based syrups