Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder (Starch Flour)
Industry PositionFood Ingredient (Starch/Thickener)
Market
Arrowroot flour in India is regulated as an edible starch product, defined as separated and purified starch derived from either Maranta arundinacea rhizomes or Curcuma angustifolia (tikhur) rhizomes. Production and development activity is documented in Kerala for arrowroot (including ICAR-CTCRI work on a Kerala-targeted arrowroot variety), while tikhur (Curcuma angustifolia) is described in the hilly tracts of Central India and associated with starch production and use. In India, tikhur starch is used as a functional ingredient (binder/thickener) in a range of foods including sweets and processed products such as cakes, biscuits, puddings, and traditional preparations. The market is best characterized as a domestic ingredient market with localized supply bases rather than a clearly quantified export-led commodity segment.
Market RoleDomestic ingredient market with localized production; not clearly evidenced as a major export segment
Domestic RoleFood starch ingredient used as a binder/thickener in processed foods and traditional sweets
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Physical Attributes- Commercial Curcuma angustifolia (tikhur) starch has been described as whitish in colour, with starch granules reported as polyhedral to round in shape.
Compositional Metrics- Commercial Curcuma angustifolia (tikhur) starch characterization reports high carbohydrate (starch) content with low ash/fat/protein as an indicator of extraction purity (category-level characterization; values vary by sample and process).
Packaging- Commercial Curcuma angustifolia (tikhur) starch handling in published characterization work included drying and packaging in LDPE bags prior to testing (illustrative of moisture-management packaging practices for starch powders).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Rhizome harvest and cleaning → size reduction/grinding into slurry → filtration (cloth) → settling/decanting to separate starch → drying (often sun-drying in traditional practice) → milling/sieving → packing
Risks
Food Fraud HighArrowroot starch identity/adulteration risk can block trade if buyers test for botanical authenticity and detect substitution or non-conforming starch sources; this risk is amplified by market confusion between multiple botanical sources recognized as "arrowroot" in India (Maranta arundinacea vs. Curcuma angustifolia/tikhur) and by documented cases of commercial arrowroot starch adulteration in the market.Contractually specify the botanical source (Maranta arundinacea vs. Curcuma angustifolia), require lot-level identity testing (e.g., microscopy/other validated methods) by an independent lab, and align product naming/labels to the applicable Indian standard and buyer specification.
Regulatory Compliance MediumMisalignment with India’s definition of "Arrowroot" (botanical source) or non-compliant labelling can trigger enforcement action in the domestic market or buyer rejection in formal channels requiring standard-conformant identity and declarations.Map the product’s specification and label content to applicable FSSAI standards (identity) and FSSAI labelling rules before sale/export; retain documented QA release records per batch.
Food Safety MediumAs a food starch ingredient, arrowroot/tikhur starch is subject to contaminant limits (e.g., heavy metals) and can face rejection if contaminant levels exceed regulatory thresholds or buyer limits.Implement routine contaminant monitoring aligned to FSSAI contaminant regulations and buyer requirements; ensure controlled drying/storage to limit contamination and maintain hygiene.
Sustainability MediumIn areas where tikhur supply depends on wild or forest-linked collection, reported threats from overexploitation and habitat disturbance can disrupt supply continuity and increase reputational scrutiny.Prefer cultivated and documented-sourcing supply chains, apply sustainable harvest protocols where wild collection exists, and document traceable sourcing areas and volumes.
Sustainability- Wild/forest-associated tikhur (Curcuma angustifolia) resource pressure and habitat disturbance risks reported in parts of Chhattisgarh, implying potential sustainability and continuity-of-supply concerns for wild-harvest-linked supply chains.
FAQ
How does India’s food standard define “arrowroot” for sale in the Indian market?Under India’s Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, “arrowroot” is defined as separated and purified starch from the rhizomes of Maranta arundinacea or from Curcuma angustifolia (tikhur).
What is “tikhur” in the India context of arrowroot flour?Tikhur refers to starch obtained from Curcuma angustifolia rhizomes (often called East Indian arrowroot), which is used as a functional starch ingredient in Indian foods such as sweets and products like cakes, biscuits, and puddings.
What is the typical processing flow for tikhur (Curcuma angustifolia) starch described in India-focused references?Published India-focused descriptions include cleaning the rhizomes, grinding to a paste/slurry, filtering (e.g., through cloth), settling the starch, decanting the water (often repeated), and drying the settled starch before it is used or packed as a powder.