Optimization for spray drying process parameters of nutritionally rich honey powder using response surface methodology

Abstract

The purpose of the present work was to study the effect of inlet temperature (160–180°C), feed rate (0.08–0.13 ml/s), concentration of gum Arabic (35–45%), aonla extract (6–8%), and basil extract (6–8%) on the product properties (bulk density, hygroscopicity, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA), and vitamin C content) of spray-dried nutritionally rich honey powder using response surface methodology. Higher inlet air temperatures led to lower bulk density and hygroscopicity, whereas addition of aonla and basil extracts led to higher TPC, AOA, and vitamin C content which were encapsulated by gum Arabic. Statistical analysis showed that independent variables significantly affected all the responses (p < 0.0001). Perturbation and 3D surface plots were drawn for each of the responses from the mathematical models. Second-order polynomial models with high R2 (0.97–0.99) values were constructed for each powder physicochemical properties namely bulk density, hygroscopicity, TPC, AOA, and vitamin C content. Desirable nutritionally rich honey powder was obtained at inlet temperature of 170°C, 0.11 ml/s feed rate, 45% gum Arabic, 8% aonla extract, and 6% basil extract.