Optimization of the effects of Temperature, Maltodextrin Concentration and Atomizer Pressure, in Spray Drying of Blend of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Extract and St' John's wort (Hypericum Perforatum L.) Extracts, on Quality and Quantity Properties of the Powder, with Response Surface Methodology

In this study, the effects of temperature, maltodextrin concentration and atomizer pressure on moisture content, yield (on dry weight basis), water activity, solubility, angle of repose and total anthocyanin (TAC) of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and St' John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) blend extract powder on quality and quantity properties of the powder were investigated. In this process, Maltodextrin was used as carrier agent. Experimental design involved the use of optimal design and response surface statistical method. Independent variables were inlet air temperature (120, 180 and 240 degrees celsius), concentration of drying aids (25, 35 and 45 percent) and atomizer pressure (0.5, 1, 1.5 kilograms per square centimeter). Optimization of production of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - Hypericum perforatum L. blend extract powder with the aim of minimizing the amount of moisture content and water activity and maximizing the yield, solubility and total anthocyanin (TAC) were carried out using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM described that upon optimum conditions of 219 (degrees Celsius) inlet temperature, 42 (percent) maltodextrin concentration and 0.5 (kilograms per square centimeter) atomizer pressure, it was possible to produce powder with yield (on dry weight basis) of 52.68 (percent), moisture content of 1.38 (percent), water activity of 0.12, solubility of 95.92 (percent), angle of repose of 20 (degrees) and total anthocyanin (TAC) of 52.22 (milligrams per liter). Then, due to the importance of hypericin, the presence and stability of this material in produced powder in optimum conditions was confirmed by IR spectrometry analysis (FTIR)