Abstract:

Jaggery is a sugar rich product and medicine obtained by evaporation of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) juice or sap obtained from Palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer L.), Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) or Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.). Among all Jaggery, palm Jaggery having its own importance. It usually contains 65-85% sucrose and 5-15% reducing sugars, and is consumed directly or used for preparation of sweet confectionary items and ayurvedic/traditional medicines, and it may have a role to reduce the chance of lung cancer. It is a good source of minerals like calcium, phosphorous and iron. Jaggery industry is one of the most important cottage level industries in India since ancient times and it is prepared mostly by small and marginal farmers. Besides India, countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Burma and Philippines are also manufacturing Jaggery.