Identification of Macro Elements (Sucrose, Glucose and Fructose) and Micro Elements (Metal Minerals) in the Products of Palm Sugar, Coconut Sugar and Sugar Cane

Abstract

Nowadays, there are many kinds of sweetener commonly found in foods and beverages available on the market such as sugar cane, brown sugar (coconut sugar) and palm sugar. Those types of sugar have different nutritional content. Palm sugar is widely consumed as a natural sweetener since it is quite safe for the body, because the palm sugar contains several macro and micronutrient elements. It is estimated that the nutrient content on palm sugar is higher compare than those in sugar cane and coconut sugar. In this study it was found that the water content for palm sugar, sugar cane and coconut sugar respectively 1.49%, 0.01% and 0.78%, ash content: 0.8%, 1.5% and 1.5 %, fat content: 4.67%, 18.69%, 12.28%. The simple sugars found in palm and coconut sugar were sucrose, glucose and fructose respectively 89.94%, 3.61%, 3.50% and 86.86%, 4.64%, 3.70% while sugar cane only contained sucrose at 94.75%. The complete mineral content was found in coconut sugar. Most of these were minerals Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn respectively 14.40%, 1.56%, 0.90% and 0.96%. Palm and sugar cane contained 3 minerals of Fe, Zn and Cu respectively 9.66%, 1.56%, 1.51% and 6.52%, 1.21%, 0.98%. This study provides the information the values of palm sugar that could be employed as a healthy and the natural sweetener.