Optimization of Spray Drying of an Innovative Functional Food: Fermented Mixed Juice of Carrot and Watermelon

This work deals with formulation and drying of a newly developed functional food. A watermelon and carrot juice mixture in the ratio 70:30 by volume was fermented at 37°C with Lactobacillus acidophilus to produce an innovative non-dairy-based food formulation with good flavor and high nutritional value. Viable count, pH, titrable acidity, protein content, and reducing sugar were measured during fermentation. The probiotic juice was spray dried at air temperature of 120 to 160°C and flow rate of 2.0 to 5.0 mL/min. Maltodextrin concentration of 10 to 15% by weight was used as an additive. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the drying process conditions. Physical properties (e.g., moisture content, density, porosity, and yield), biological properties (e.g., viability and lycopene and beta carotene content), and solubility data were examined as the response variables. Elevated temperatures and longer exposure times at lower feed rate reduced viability and lycopene and beta carotene content of the dried powder. Increased atomization pressure increased the cohesiveness but decreased flowability of the dried powder because the particle size was lowered. The probiotic powder was further analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).