Effect of Spray Drying of Agave Fructans, Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera Juice

Abstract

The effect of inlet air temperature on the physicochemical properties and stability of agave fructans, mucilage of cactus and aloe juice were evaluated. Temperatures employed for inlet air was 70–110C in 10C increments. The best temperature for the inlet air and agave fructans cactus mucilage, where yields obtained were 40–93%, moisture content 1.71–4.10% and bulk density 0.40–0.58 g/mL, was 100 and 110C, respectively. For aloe juice, the inlet air temperature showed no significant effect on yield, water activity and bulk density, but it did for moisture content, hygroscopicity index, glass transition temperature and solubility time in the powder. Agave fructans presented desirable physicochemical stability characteristics with potential use as the carrier agent. Practical Applications Agave fructans, nopal mucilage and aloe vera juice can be considered as food ingredients from natural sources. These ingredients can help to thicken various types of food. The ingredients from natural sources in powders improve the stability and transportation characteristics of the ingredients in juices or extracts. Finding the better spray drying conditions provides better physicochemical, stability, chemical and microbiological quality in the powder. Agave fructan, nopal mucilage and aloe vera powders have beneficial properties for health and present a potential use as nutraceutical food.