This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different carrier agents (5DE Maltodextrin, 10DE Maltodextrin, gum Arabic and Capsul®) on the physicochemical characteristics (moisture content, density, solubility, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity) of strawberry pulp processed by spray drying and stored at room temperature for 90 days. The use of different carrier agents resulted in powders with bulk densities ranging from 0.40 to 0.52 g/cm³ and moisture contents below 2.5%. All the samples were highly soluble, but the powders obtained with 5DE Maltodextrin and gum Arabic were less hygroscopic. The sorption isotherms were of type III and the GAB model was the model that best fitted the experimental data. The powder produced with gum Arabic had the highest anthocyanin content and consequently the greatest antioxidant activity value, both immediately after the drying process and during the storage period. The results obtained showed that gum Arabic was the most suitable carrier agent for the production of strawberry pulp powder.
Sorption isotherms; antioxidant activity; anthocyanin
