Encapsulation of Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) extract by Spray Drying Technique

Abstract

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) possesses anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-fertility, anti-tumorous, hypoglycemic properties etc., The objective of the present work is to encapsulate homogenized bitter gourd extract using spray drying technique. The homogenized bitter gourd extract is obtained by high pressure homogenizer at 300 psi and it is spray dried using wall material such as maltodextrin and gum acacia in varied core to wall ratios (1:2 & 1:3) and different drying inlet air temperatures 140°C and 160°C. The physico-chemical analysis like phyto-chemical screening, colour, bulk density, tap density, water activity, water solubility were determined for the encapsulated bitter gourd extract powder. The optimized encapsulated bitter gourd extract powder was core to wall ratio 1:3 and drying inlet air temperature 160°C.