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
