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SBI develops sugarcane juice powder
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Sunday, 16 January, 2011, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijay, Bangalore
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Coimbatore-based Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI) which has developed the sugarcane juice powder by spray drying technique has now approached the National Research Development Corporation(NRDC) for technology transfer to a potential industry partner.
The SBI research team developed an efficient process for sugarcane juice powder using spray drying technique. The sugarcane harvested at 10 - 14 months after planting is suitable for preparation of commercially acceptable sugarcane juice powder/granules. Canes were harvested in bulk in the conventional way contain dried leaves, green tops, insect infested and damaged, all these are removed with care. Use of clean water and hygienic practices were adopted to avoid microbial contamination.
From the processing stage onwards all operations were carried out in a sterile environment. The extraction of juice with crushers fabricated from food grade material and preserving the extracted juice in clean containers, were also an added advantage.
The temperature and spray jet are adjusted to obtain fine to coarse particle size of dried sugarcane juice which is packed in moisture proof pouches.
An additional flavour of spray dried sugarcane juice for beverage application can also be taken up by use of the flavouring component such as lemon extract, ginger extract, coffee extract, tea extract and spices extract.
The process eliminated the addition of synthetic preservatives and colorants in the dried sugarcane juice.
The method of preparation of spray dried sugarcane juice powder and granules devoid of preservatives, colorants, anti-caking agents, stabilisers and other chemicals. The use of spray dried sugarcane juice finds its application as a sweetener and for preparation of natural health drinks and beverages.
NRDC is propagating innovative technologies and its licensing. The spray-dried sugarcane powder is now on offer to prospective industry partners,
According to Phani Kumar, business development manager, NRDC, there are clear advantages for the spray dried sugar powder which has bagged an Indian Patent. The product which was developed on pilot scale now requires a prospective industry partner to upscale .
The sugarcane juice powder developed using techniques such as freeze drying, flash evaporation and vacuum drying will not support the growth of micro-organisms and biochemical activity but improve the stability and storability of sugarcane juice.
Researchers have constantly worked on bringing new products form Sugarcane juice to the market. They are successful up to ready-to-dilute sugarcane juice beverage powder, preserved juice in bottles & other packed containers.
India is the second largest producer of sugarcane next to Brazil. Nearly 50% of cane produced in India is utilised by the sugar factories for the production of white sugar and the rest goes for preparation of different forms of jaggery.
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