Studies on Preparation of Jaggery Granules with Nucleation Technique

Abstract

Experiments were carried out for the preparation of jaggery granules with the technique of nucleation. The dry seeds (sucrose of size 500-600µ) were used as nuclei for seeding. Experiments were conducted at two brix levels of jaggery syrup with three seeding levels of dry seeds as 50, 100 and 150 g/L to study the effect of seeding on percentage recovery of jaggery granules of different size. The results revealed that the per cent recovery of fine granules (<1000µ) was significantly decreased with increase in seeding level. The recovery of medium (1000-2000µ) and coarse (2000-3000µ) size granules was increased with increase in seeding levels indicating the effect of nucleation. At 95°B the recovery of fine, medium and coarse size granules was found to be 44.50, 25.92 and 29.58 per cent, respectively under control, whereas at maximum seeding level of 150 g/L, it was 25.64, 35.99 and 40.29 per cent, respectively for fine, medium and coarse granules. Similar effect was attributed at 85°B. Moreover, the color of jaggery granules prepared at 85°B was yellowish compared to 95°B. The nucleation in jaggery syrup during cooling stage enhances the process of granulation. All size granules (fine, medium and coarse) were seen attractive in terms of colour, appearance and texture.