Jaggery is an unrefined natural sweetener made from sugarcane juice or palm sap. It is widely used in food, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, and traditional medicine. Below are the general specifications for jaggery:

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Solid blocks, cubes, granules, or powder

Color: Golden yellow to dark brown (varies based on processing and raw material)

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

Texture: Hard or semi-soft, depending on moisture content

Moisture Content: Max 5-8% (for solid jaggery), Max 10% (for powdered jaggery)

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: 5.5 - 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:

Food Industry: Used in traditional sweets, confectionery, bakery, and beverages

Ayurveda & Pharmaceuticals: Used in herbal medicines and natural detox remedies

Beverages: Used in energy drinks and fermented drinks (Jaggery wine, vinegar)

Animal Feed: Used as an energy source in cattle feed

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