Five plant mucilage clarificants namely Aloe vera, Flax seeds, Fenugreek seeds, Purslane and Malabar spinach at three different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4%) were used for sugarcane juice clarification and jaggery production. Physiochemical properties namely colour, pH, aw, insoluble solids, moisture, ash, protein, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, minerals and vitamin C of prepared jaggery were evaluated. At 0.4% concentration results indicates reduced moisture (1.77%), reducing sugars (4.15%) and insoluble solids (1.78%) in prepared jaggery samples while an increase of colour (14.56%), non reducing sugars (5.48%), minerals and vitamins C were evident in plant mucilage clarificants treated jaggery resulting in better quality jaggery compared to control jaggery. Among the plant mucilage clarificants treated Aloe vera followed by fenugreek had better clarification efficacy compare to rest of plant mucilage clarificants. From the above findings, it is evident that plant mucilage clarificants may find use as potential alternative to chemical clarificants.
