Optimization of Spray Drying Conditions for Developing Nondairy Based Probiotic Sohiong Fruit Powder

Abstract

ABSTRACT The interest in nondairy-based probiotic foods has significantly increased due to lactose intolerance, casein allergy, and associated cholesterol risks. Fruit-based products could be an excellent alternative option. In the present work, Sohiong (Prunus nepalensis) juice has been used for the development of a possible probiotic product. Sohiong juice was enzymatically extracted and fermented with probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum. The fermented juice was then spray dried to make a probiotic powder. The spray-drying process conditions including maltodextrin concentration (12–25% w/w), inlet temperature (120–140°C), and inlet feed rate (120–240 ml/h) were optimized using response surface methodology. The responses evaluated were drying yield, moisture content, encapsulation efficiency, and color difference. The results showed that the optimum conditions for the production of Sohiong juice powder with acceptable quality were 120°C inlet temperature, 12% w/w maltodextrin concentration, and 201 ml/h feed rate. A powder yield of 57.68% at a moisture content of 3.95% could be achieved with an encapsulation efficiency of 85.75%. The viable probiotic cell count in the Sohiong powder was more than the recommended value of 6.0 log CFU/g up to 36 days when stored at ambient condition and up to 104 days under refrigerated condition suggesting the feasibility of developing spray-dried nondairy probiotic powder from Sohiong juice.