Effects of Enzymatic Liquefaction, Maltodextrin Concentration, and Spray-Dryer Air Inlet Temperature on Pumpkin Powder Characteristics

Optimization of spray drying process parameters for the food bioactive ingredients

Spray drying (SD) is one of the most important thermal processes used to produce different powders and encapsulated materials. During this process, quality degradation might happen. The main objective of applying optimization methods in SD processes is maximizing the final nutritional quality of the product besides sensory attributes. Optimization regarding economic issues might be also performed. Applying optimization approaches in line with mathematical models to predict product changes during thermal processes such as SD can be a promising method to enhance the quality of final products. In this review, the application of the response surface methodology (RSM), as the most widely used approach, is introduced along with other optimization techniques such as factorial, Taguchi, and some artificial intelligence-based methods like artificial neural networks (ANN), genetic algorithms (GA), Fuzzy logic, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). Also, probabilistic methods such as Monte Carlo are briefly introduced. Some recent case studies regarding the implementation of these methods in SD processes are also exemplified and discussed.

Effect of inlet temperature on the physicochemical properties of spray-dried seed-watermelon seed protein powder

Here, we studied the effects of inlet temperature on the physicochemical properties of the hydrolyzed protein (seed-watermelon seed hydrolyzed protein [SWSP]) powder in seed-watermelon seeds. The inlet temperature of the study was in the range of 150 to 180 °C, and the remaining experimental parameters remained constant, that is, the feed flow rate was 0.2 L/hr, the concentration of maltodextrin was 30%, and the outlet temperature was 80 °C. We studied the water activity and moisture content, bulk density, flowability (Carr index and Hausner ratio), angle of repose, solubility, color, hygroscopicity, powder morphology, particle size, crystallinity, and odor of the sample. Inlet temperature of 170 to 180 °C reduced the moisture content and increased the particle size. It was found that the value of measured water activity was less than 0.5, which helped in maintaining stability of the sample. Powders produced at the temperatures showed smoother particle surfaces, whereas higher inlet temperature showed spherical particles with some shrinkage as analyzed by scanning electron microscope. The inlet temperature affected the color of the sample, thus at high temperature, the sample had a brighter color. The sample was approximately 18% crystalline. At a preparation temperature of 160 °C, the sample showed significant antioxidant activity (P < 0.05).

Rheological and physicochemical stability of hydrolyzed jackfruit juice (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) processed by spray drying

Spray drying represents a viable alternative for the stabilization of juice and extract of a great diversity of plant in tropical zones, such as jackfruit from Nayarit, Mexico. The jackfruit powder allows physicochemical and microbiological stability for storage, transportation, and marketing. In addition, this allows expansion of consumption and use of these exotic tropical fruits. The aim of this work was to find the best enzymatic hydrolysis and spray drying treatment for obtaining jackfruit pulp and juice in powder without affecting its rheological and physicochemical properties. Jackfruit pulp was treated with three commercial enzymes and their mixtures, and the best treatment was then optimized by Response Surface Methodology. The jackfruit pulp and the hydrolyzed juice were spray dried using maltodextrin as a carrier agent. The best hydrolysis was obtained with Celluzyme® and Pectinex Ultra Pulp® and the optimal conditions were 1% of enzyme concentration, during 3 h at 37 °C (p = 0.92), that leads reducing sugar of 78.50 ± 1.93 mg mL-1 and viscosity of 7.94 ± 0.82 cps (94.7% reduction). The enzyme concentration is a direct function of reducing sugars content, while incubation time is an inverse function of viscosity. The spray drying treatment with the highest yield (74%) without affecting rheological and physicochemical properties compared to the fresh hydrolyzed juice was the treatment with 50% (TSS/weight) maltodextrin.

Optimization of bayberry juice spray drying process using response surface methodology

In this study, thirteen different runs according to the central composite design-response surface methodology were used to optimize the quality parameters of spray-dried bayberry juice powder. The independent variables were different levels of inlet air temperature (145.8-174.1 °C) and maltodextrin concentration (22.9-37.0%). The responses were process yield, moisture content, hygroscopicity, glass transition temperature (Tg), total color difference (ΔE), redness, retention of phenolics and anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity. The optimum operation conditions for the highest Tg, redness, anthocyanins retention and antioxidant capacity with the lowest ΔE and hygroscopicity were obtained at inlet drying temperature of 150 °C and maltodextrin concentration of 31%. This study revealed that by applying these optimal conditions, bayberry juice powder with a 74.16% yield, 3.15% moisture content, 10.25% hygroscopicity, 41.15 °C Tg, 24.74 ΔE, 27.45 Hunter a redness, 89.55% anthocyanins retention, 77.71% phenolics retention, and 30.19 mmol Trolox equivalents/g antioxidant capacity was produced.

A Review of Drying Processes in the Production of Pumpkin Powder

Pumpkin is widely used as a valuable food source and is gaining the attention of healthcare consumers. Dried powdering pumpkin is an alternative way to increase the consumption. For these reasons, a sound knowledge of the processes for drying and powdering of pumpkin is needed. Therefore, the present review summarizes data from the literature and points out promising areas for further research. This review focused mainly on various processes of dried pumpkin powder, including pre-treatment techniques which can influence the quality of dried product. Impacts of drying and storage methods on quality changes were also revealed in dried pumpkin powder such as the loss of color, changes in texture or an off-flavor and decreases in carotenoids or other nutrients. Moreover, this review also collected the basic information about characterization of pumpkin fruit and also chemical characteristics and nutritional values of pumpkin. Finally, the review pointed out areas for future research to further elucidate the best methods of dried pumpkin powdering for the local companies.