The objective of this research work was to obtain blackberry pulp in microencapsulated powder with a of arrowroot starch/gum arabic mixture by spray drying. Experimental design, with 11 runs, was performed to evaluate the effects of inlet air temperature (100-150 °C) and encapsulating agent concentration (1:0.5-1:2, blackberry pulp solids: arrowroot starch/gum arabic) on the functional properties of powders. The ascorbic acid content and luminosity of the powder increased with increasing encapsulating agent concentrations, whereas the b* values decreased. Increasing the inlet air temperature and decreasing the encapsulating agent concentration, the content of anthocyanins also increased. The powders were able to reduce Fe+3 and to trap free radicals, showing antioxidant property. The temperature of 143 °C and concentration of encapsulating agent 1:1.78 were the ideal conditions to have high content of ascorbic acid and good content of anthocyanins and antioxidant properties.
Keywords: Arrowroot starch; anthocyanins; antioxidant property; ascorbic acid; gum arabic; inlet air temperature.