Abstract:
Caryota urens L. (Kithul) sap has been used to prepare traditional sweeteners (treacle
and jaggery) and fermented drinks..All these products have a very high demand due to
their natural origin, and they are recognized as organic food products. The products
are highly priced commodities due to the scarcity in production and the high demand
due to their uniqueness in taste and aroma as well as due to traditional claims on the
health benefits. However, reports available on chemical composition of Kithul sap and
its products are very limited and mostly limited to total sugar content and reducing
sugar contents. The complete nutritional composition has not been determined for any
of the Kithul products. Also the intentional adulteration of the sap and products has
become a major challenge to the industry. Furthermore, scientific methods for the
detection of such adulterations have not been established. Therefore, in this study,
chemical characterization of C.urens sap, treacle and jaggery was attempted and new
procedures were developed for the authentication of the products. Further, a simple
test kit was developed and validated for the detection of adulteration of Kithul treacle
and jaggery by cane sugar.
Nutrition labeling of the sap and its products were completed using the established
AOAC methods. Amino acids profiles were established based on HPLC separation
and fluorescence detection while HFLC separated organic acids were determined
using diode array detection. Aroma volatiles of the products were also investigated
using GC/MS. Levels of ascorbic acid and total phenolic compounds were also
determined.
For the first time, the present study reports the complete nutritional information of
Kithul sap and its products. Further, this is also the first report on the amino acid
composition and organic acid and polyphenol composition of the Kithul sap and its
products. This scientific investigation on the aroma, volatile composition of Kithul
treacle paves way for the differentiation of the different types of treacle replacing the
traditional organoleptic tests.
Knowledge generated in this study will uplift the value of these traditional products
and will open up more avenues for the growth of this sector as an export oriented
industry. Further this study will stimulate new research and development projects
resulting in new products and value additions to this sector. Thus, this is a pioneering
research study benefiting to rural industrialist, farmers in Sri Lanka, product
consumers and researchers in allied disciplines.