Effects of spray drying conditions on physico-chemical properties of encapsulated powder prepared by water-in-oil-in-water acerola emulsion

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is a fruit-bearing shrub notable for its high content of vitamin C and phenolic compounds, contributing to significant health benefits. This study aimed to determine the most suitable spray-drying infeed solution composition concerning the wall materials, core materials and core-to-wall ratio. The inlet and outlet temperatures of the spray-drying process were also investigated. The results showed that the particles had the core in form of water-in-oil-in-water emulsion while the wall solution mixed with maltodextrin and gum arabic (at a ratio of 2 : 1, w/w) and the core-to-wall ratio of 1 : 1.5 (w/w) had better bioactive compounds protection. The inlet and outlet temperatures were determined to be 150 degrees C and 95 degrees C, respectively. Spray-dried powders had ideal morphology and low moisture content (3.4 +/- 0.0 %), high process yield (85.7 +/- 0.1 %) and encapsulation yield of total phenolics content (48.9 +/- 1.8 %), total flavonoids content (35.4 +/- 2.6 %), and vitamin C content (27.2 +/- 0.6 %).