Development and characterization of physical properties of honey-rich powder.

The aim of the work was to obtain and characterize powdered honey containing substantially higher amount of honey than was reported in literature before. For this purpose, dehumidified air was applied as a drying medium during spray drying at low temperature (inlet/outlet air temperature: 75/50 °C). This method gave the possibility to reduce carrier content in the final product. Apart from maltodextrin, used traditionally as drying carrier, NUTRIOSE characterized by prebiotic properties was also tested, to produce added-value honey powder. Drying parameters were adjusted compared to traditional high temperature spray drying to perform the process at high drying rate and yield (powder recovery). By using dehumidified air as the drying agent honey powders containing 80% of honey solids were obtained, with a yield above 80%. Both these values were higher than noted ever before in the case of honey spray drying. The physical properties of powders were typical for spray dried materials, although increased honey content resulted in increased hygroscopicity. Even though NUTRIOSE has a higher potential as a health promoting ingredient, compared to maltodextrin, it had lower potential as a drying carrier (powders had higher water activity and hygroscopicity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]