Optimization of spray drying process for recovery of onion–stevia leaf hot water extract powder using response surface methodology

It is important to optimize the drying process, along with the concentration of drying aid and the inlet air temperature, in order to obtain products with better physicochemical properties. Onion–stevia leaf hot extract powders were prepared using gum arabic (GA) and whey protein concentrate (WPC). Inlet air temperature and carrier concentrations were optimized using response surface methodology. The drying yield of powdered extracts was 14.39–74.32%, L*‐ value was 52.66–66.98, bulk density was 0.36–0.75 (g/cm(3)), moisture content was 2.40–11.57%, water solubility index was 30.32%–97.46%, and mean particle size D[4,3] was 9.13–88.01 (μm). For both GA‐ and WPC‐based powders, optimal inlet air temperatures and carrier concentrations were 148.81 and 144.62°C, and 11.58 and 12.03% (w/v), respectively. GA powders had a higher glass transition temperature (76.49°C) as compared to WPC powders (48.12°C) or maltodextrin as control (55.49°C). Sweetness (5.0/7.0) and overall acceptability (4.3/7.0) scores were higher for GA powders as compared to WPC powders (3.7/7.0 and 3.4/7.0), respectively. Conclusively, GA is a better carrier than whey protein for preparing spray‐dried onion–stevia powder that can be used as a natural sweetener.