TECHNICAL PROPERTIES AND PRESERVATION ABILITY OF SPRAY-DRIED RED-FLESH DRAGON FRUIT (HYLOCEREUS COSTARICENSIS) POWDER

Abstract

Red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) is a tropical fruit rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds but highly perishable. This study investigated the effect of maltodextrin (DE 11.9) at Brix 15 and Brix 20 on the recovery efficiency, physical properties, bioactive compound content, and storage stability of spray-dried dragon fruit powder. The results demonstrated that increasing maltodextrin concentration from Brix 15 to Brix 20 significantly improved product yield (from 57.01% to 65.21%) while reducing the drying rate and spray drying capacity. Physical characteristics were also influenced, with higher maltodextrin levels leading to increased water absorption index (from 11.01% to 34.15%), reduced water solubility index (from 93.09% to 90.24%), larger particle size, and lighter color. However, the retention of total polyphenols (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), and betacyanin was higher in Brix 15 powder. Stability tests at 50°C showed that both formulations exhibited good retention of bioactive compounds over six weeks, but Brix 15 powder maintained better stability, particularly in terms of TPC and TFC content. These findings highlight the potential application of spray-dried dragon fruit powder as a functional food ingredient, with Brix 15 providing better bioactive retention while Brix 20 enhances process efficiency.

DOIs: https://www.doi.org/10.46242/jstiuh.v75i3.5264