Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the hygroscopic behavior and physical properties of powders from bacuri pulp freeze-dried with different drying adjuvants. Three samples were prepared by adding the maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and albumin adjuvants, at a concentration of 20% (w/w), to the pulp. The powders were analyzed for moisture content, hygroscopicity, and particle morphology. The adsorption isotherms were obtained using the models of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Guggehneim-Anderson-de Bôer (GAB), Henderson, and Oswin at the temperatures of 25 and 40ºC. Moisture contents ranged from 2.12 to 2.90%, and the lowest value was observed for the powder containing albumin. Hygroscopicity varied from 3.64 to 6.02%, with the lowest value for the powder containing maltodextrin. The powder particles showed non-spherical and irregular shapes, being more agglomerated in the powder with maltodextrin. For the isotherm, the best fit was obtained with the BET model and a type-III behavior was observed, which is typical of foods rich in soluble sugars. Therefore, the adjuvants contribute to the physicochemical properties of the powders, making them less hygroscopic and with irregular-shaped particles.
Index terms:
adjuvants; adsorption; drying; moisture content; tropical fruits
Resumo
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento higroscópico e as características físicas de pós da polpa de bacuri liofilizada com diferentes adjuvantes de secagem. Foram preparadas três amostras, tendo-se adicionado os adjuvantes maltodextrina, goma arábica e albumina, na concentração de 20% (m/m), à polpa. Os pós foram analisados quanto a teores de umidade, higroscopicidade e morfologia das partículas. As isotermas de adsorção foram obtidas com uso dos modelos de Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Guggehneim-Anderson-de Bôer (GAB), Henderson e Oswin, nas temperaturas de 25 e 40ºC. Os teores de umidade variaram de 2,12 a 2,90%, e o menor valor foi observado para o pó contendo albumina. A higroscopicidade dos pós variou de 3,64 a 6,02%, com o menor valor para o pó com maltodextrina. As partículas dos pós apresentaram formatos não esféricos e irregulares, tendo sido mais aglomeradas no pó contendo maltodextrina. Para a isoterma, o melhor ajuste matemático foi obtido com o modelo BET e o comportamento observado foi do tipo III, característico de alimentos ricos em açúcares solúveis. Portanto, os adjuvantes contribuem para as características físico-químicas dos pós, tornando-os menos higroscópicos e com partículas irregulares.
Termos para indexação:
adjuvantes; adsorção; secagem; teor de umidade; frutas tropicais
Introduction
Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) is a tropical fruit known for its significant research potential and high levels of ascorbic acid, fiber, and bioactive compounds (Teixeira et al., 2019TEIXEIRA, N.; MELO, J.C.S.; BATISTA, L.F.; PAULA-SOUZA, J.; FRONZA, P.; BRANDÃO, M.G.L. Edible fruits from Brazilian biodiversity: a review on their sensorial characteristics versus bioactivity as tool to select research. Food Research International, v.119, p.325-348, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2019.01.058.
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). The species is primarily found in the Amazon biomes of Brazil, specifically in the states of Piauí and Maranhão, with limited production areas in Mato Grosso and Tocantins (Chitarra & Chitarra, 2006CHITARRA, M.I.F.; CHITARRA, A.B. Pós-colheita de frutas e hortaliças: glossário. Lavras: UFLA, 2006.).
Although bacuri can be used for diverse products, its perishable nature and seasonal availability pose challenges for its distribution to other regions of the country. Therefore, the application of suitable technologies is necessary to ensure a continuous supply of the fruit, such as pulp drying for long-term storage and a facilitated transportation (Ribeiro et al., 2016RIBEIRO, L.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; AFONSO, M.R.A. Hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized acerola pulp powder. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v.20, p.269-274, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n3p269-274.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriam...
).
Several drying processes can be used to convert foods into dry-powder products, whose particle size varies depending on the intended purpose and food type. Fruit powders, in particular, often contain high sugar levels, which can lead to undesirable effects such as an increased hygroscopicity and agglomeration at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (Ribeiro et al., 2016RIBEIRO, L.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; AFONSO, M.R.A. Hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized acerola pulp powder. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v.20, p.269-274, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n3p269-274.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriam...
). Therefore, certain physicochemical properties are used as references for powder handling and processing (Maciel et al., 2020MACIEL, R.M.G.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; ARAÚJO, T.M.R. Influence of albumin on guava pulp powder obtained by foam-mat drying. Engenharia Agrícola, v.40, p.388-395, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Agric.v40n3p388-395/2020.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Ag...
).
In the design and analysis of the drying process, the study of isotherms plays a key role. The behavior of sorption isotherms can be predicted based on the structural, dynamic, and thermodynamic aspects of water through developed mathematical models (Park et al., 2008PARK, K.J.B.; PARK, K.J.; CORNEJO, F.E.P.; FABBRO, I.M.D. Considerações temodinâmicas das isotermas. Revista Brasileira de Produtos Agroindustriais, v.10, p.83-94, 2008.), such as those of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Guggehneim-Anderson-de Bôer (GAB), Henderson, and Oswin.
The objective of this work was to evaluate the hygroscopic behavior and physical properties of powders from bacuri pulp freeze-dried with different drying adjuvants.
Materials and Methods
The used bacuri pulps were obtained from a fruit processing company located in the northern region of the state of Piauí, Brazil. The pulps were stored in a freezer at −18ºC, being thawed prior to the drying process. Three different samples were prepared by adding the following drying adjuvants at a concentration of 20% (w/w): maltodextrin (Maltogill 20DE, Cargill, Minneapolis, MN, USA), gum Arabic (CAS9000-01-5, Êxodo Científica, Sumaré, SP, Brazil), and 80% albumin (Proteína Pura, Netto Alimentos, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). The samples were homogenized using the 200 W Versatile Black mixer (Mondial, Barueri, SP, Brazil) and then frozen at −38ºC, for 24 hours, in the CL90-40V ultra-freezer (Terroni Equipamentos Científicos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil). The frozen samples were transferred to the LS 3000 freeze dryer (Terroni Equipamentos Científicos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil) and dried for 24 hours until reaching final pressures of 20–30 Pa. After drying, the samples were crushed using the 800 W ECO industrial blender, with a 2 L stainless steel cup (Spolu, Itajobi, SP, Brazil), at 18,000 rpm, for 1 min and then stored in laminated packaging until further analysis.
The moisture content and hygroscopicity of the powder samples were determined according to the method described by Instituto Adolfo Lutz (Procedimentos..., 2008PROCEDIMENTOS e Determinações Gerais. In: ZENEBON, O.; PASCUET, N.S.; TIGLEA, P. (Coord.). Métodos físico-químicos para análise de alimentos. 4.ed., 1.ed. digital. São Paulo: Instituto Adolfo Lutz, 2008. p.83-158. Versão eletrônica. Available at: <https://wp.ufpel.edu.br/nutricaobromatologia/files/2013/07/NormasADOLFOLUTZ.pdf>. Accessed on: Mar. 23 2023.
https://wp.ufpel.edu.br/nutricaobromatol...
) and to Goula & Adamopoulos (2008)GOULA, A.M.; ADAMOPOULOS, K.G. Effect of maltodextrin addition during spray drying of tomato pulp in dehumidified air: II. Powder properties. Drying technology: an International Journal, v.26, p.726-737, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07373930802046377.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0737393080204637...
, respectively. Samples with each adjuvant were analyzed in three replicates, and the results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The assumptions of normality, homoscedasticity, and independence of errors were checked using the tests of Shapiro-Wilk, Bartlett, and Durbin-Watson, respectively, at 5% probability. All assumptions were met. The normality of data was tested by the Statistica software (TIBCO Software Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA). The results were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test, also using the Statistica software (TIBCO Software Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA), with differences considered significant at a 95% confidence level.
The powder particles were examined using the Quanta FEG 540 scanning electron microscope (FEI Company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). For this, the powder samples were placed on double-sided adhesive tape and fixed onto a metallic support. Subsequently, the metallic plate with the powders was coated with platinum and gold using the Q1550TES sputter coater (Quorum, Laughton, East Sussex, United Kingdom). Micrographs of the powders were captured at magnifications of 1,000 and 2,000x.
The gravimetric method described by Spiess & Wolf (1987)SPIESS, W.E.L.; WOLF, W. Critical evaluation of methods to determine moisture sorption isotherms. In: ROCKLAND, L.B.; BEUCHAT, L.R. Water activity: theory and applications to food. New York: Routledge, 1987. p.215-233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203734148.
https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203734148...
was used to determine the adsorption isotherms of the samples. Triplicate samples of 1.0 g powder were pre-weighed into aluminum crucibles, which were placed in closed reservoirs containing saturated saline solutions of CH3COOK, K2CO3, NaBr, SnCl2, KCl, and BaCl2. The reservoirs were then transferred to the MA415 BOD oven (Marconi Equipamentos para Laboratório Ltda, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil) with temperature control (25 and 40ºC), where they were kept until reaching a constant weight. Weight was measured every 24 hours until a variation of less than 1% was achieved. After reaching equilibrium at each temperature, the water activities of the samples were determined using the 4TE AquaLab meter (Decagon Devices, Meter Group, Pullman, WA, USA). The equilibrium moisture (X0) of each sample was calculated through the following equation (Moreira et al., 2013MOREIRA, T.B.; ROCHA, É.M.F.F.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. da. Comportamento das isotermas de adsorção do pó da polpa de manga liofilizada. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v. 17, p.1093-1098, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662013001000011.
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):
where X0 is the equilibrium moisture content (g/g), Weq is sample weight at equilibrium (g), and Ws is the weight of the dried sample (g).
When analyzing the isotherms of the samples, mathematical adjustments were performed using the BET, GAB, Henderson, and Oswin models (Table 1), whose parameters were determined using the Statistica software (TIBCO Software Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA). The evaluation of the models took into account the values of the adjusted coefficient of determination and the mean relative error, calculated according to the following equation:
Mathematical models used for fitting the adsorption isotherms of freeze-dried bacuri (Platonia insignis) pulp powders.
where E is the mean relative error (%), Mi are the values obtained experimentally, Mpi are the values predicted by the model, and n is the number of experimental data.
Results and Discussion
The powder containing albumin showed the lowest value, which differed significantly (p<0.05) from that of the others (Table 2). The moisture content of the powders from all three samples was below 5%, which is considered microbiologically safe according to Fazaeli et al. (2012)FAZAELI, M.; EMAM-DJOMEH, Z.; ASHTARI, A.K.; OMID, M. Effect of spray drying conditions and feed composition on the physical properties of black mulberry juice powder. Food and Bioproducts Processing, v.90, p.667-675, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2012.04.006.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2012.04.00...
, since a low moisture content contributes to a better fluidity and storage stability of the product. Similar moisture contents were reported by Maciel et al. (2020)MACIEL, R.M.G.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; ARAÚJO, T.M.R. Influence of albumin on guava pulp powder obtained by foam-mat drying. Engenharia Agrícola, v.40, p.388-395, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Agric.v40n3p388-395/2020.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Ag...
for powdered guava (Psidium guajava L.) pulp freeze-dried with 3.01 to 3.34% maltodextrin and by Poornima & Sinthiya (2017)POORNIMA, K.; SINTHIYA, R. Encapsulation of beetroot extract using spray drying. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET), v.5, p.346-352, 2017. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2017.4064.
http://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2017.406...
for beet (Beta vulgaris L.) extract powder containing 1.0 to 3.4% maltodextrin and gum Arabic. According to Poornima & Sinthiya (2017)POORNIMA, K.; SINTHIYA, R. Encapsulation of beetroot extract using spray drying. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET), v.5, p.346-352, 2017. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2017.4064.
http://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2017.406...
and Goula & Adamopoulos (2008)GOULA, A.M.; ADAMOPOULOS, K.G. Effect of maltodextrin addition during spray drying of tomato pulp in dehumidified air: II. Powder properties. Drying technology: an International Journal, v.26, p.726-737, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07373930802046377.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0737393080204637...
, the moisture content of different products may vary depending on their composition and on the used drying methods, in which drying temperature and adjuvant concentration directly influence the moisture content of the powder.
Mean values of the physicochemical characterization of freeze-dried bacuri (Platonia insignis) pulp powders containing 20% (w/w) maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and albumin.
According to the hygroscopicity results, bacuri pulp powders are classified as non-hygroscopic (Table 2), i.e., with values lower than 10% (GEA Niro Research Laboratory, 2003GEA NIRO RESEARCH LABORATORY. Analytical methods for dry milk products: GEA Niro analytical methods. 2003. Available at: <https://www.gea.com/en/products/dryers-particle-processing/spray-dryers/food-dairy-products/analytical-methods-dry-milk-products.jsp>. Accessed on: Mar. 23 2023.
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). The sample containing maltodextrin showed the lowest hygroscopicity and differed significantly from the others (p<0.05). Ruengdech & Siripatrawan (2022)RUENGDECH, A.; SIRIPATRAWAN, U. Improving encapsulating efficiency, stability, and antioxidant activity of catechin nanoemulsion using foam mat freeze-drying: the effect of wall material types and concentrations. LWT – Food Science and Technology, v.162, art.113478, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113478.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.11347...
reported similar findings in their study for catechin nanoemulsion powders freeze-dried using foam mat containing maltodextrin and gum Arabic, observing that the samples with maltodextrin presented lower hygroscopicity values of 8.2 and 10.1%. Oliveira et al. (2014)OLIVEIRA, G.S.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; AFONSO, M.R.A. Caracterização e comportamento higroscópico do pó da polpa de cajá liofilizada. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v.18, p.1059-1064, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v18n10p1059-1064.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriam...
found a hygroscopicity of8.51% for the pulp powder of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) freeze-dried with maltodextrin. Conversely, Braga et al. (2019)BRAGA, M.B.; VEGGI, P.C.; CODOLO, M.C.; GIACONIA, M.A.; RODRIGUES, C.L.; BRAGA, A.R.C. Evaluation of freeze-dried milk-blackberry pulp mixture: influence of adjuvants over the physical properties of the powder, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity. Food Research International, v.125, art.108557, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108557.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2019.1...
observed higher hygroscopicity values of 13.06 and 16.58% for powders from blackberry (Rubus spp.) freeze-dried with maltodextrin, concentrated powdered milk, and Capsul. These authors explained that the low hygroscopicity values of the freeze-dried powders may be attributed to their particle sizes, as larger particles result in a smaller total surface area and lower water absorption.
Gum Arabic facilitated moisture absorption from the environment, which can be attributed to its branched structure containing hydrophilic groups. According to Ruengdech & Siripatrawan (2022)RUENGDECH, A.; SIRIPATRAWAN, U. Improving encapsulating efficiency, stability, and antioxidant activity of catechin nanoemulsion using foam mat freeze-drying: the effect of wall material types and concentrations. LWT – Food Science and Technology, v.162, art.113478, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113478.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.11347...
and Ganaie (2021)GANAIE, T.A.; MASOODI, F.A.; RATHER, S.A.; GANI, A. Exploiting maltodextrin and whey protein isolate macromolecules as carriers for the development of freeze dried honey powder. Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications, v.2, art.100040, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2021.100040.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2021.10...
, the hygroscopicity of powders is influenced by the number of hydrophilic groups present in the structure of each drying adjuvant, which determines the interactions between the hydrogen in the water molecules and the hydroxyl groups in the amorphous regions of the matrix or substrate.
Overall, the micrographs of the powders containing 20% (w/w) drying adjuvants showed that the three samples exhibited non-spherical and irregular shapes (Figure 1). This characteristic is commonly observed in fruit-based products, as they often contain a high content of fiber, sugar, and fat, leading to the formation of complex granules and agglomerates (Zea et al., 2013ZEA, L.P.; YUSOF, Y.A.; AZIZ, M.G.; LING, C.N.; AMIN, N.A.M. Compressibility and dissolution characteristics of mixed fruit tablets made from guava and pitaya fruit powders. Powder Technology, v.247, p.112-119, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2013.06.032.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2013.06...
). Similarly, Braga et al. (2019)BRAGA, M.B.; VEGGI, P.C.; CODOLO, M.C.; GIACONIA, M.A.; RODRIGUES, C.L.; BRAGA, A.R.C. Evaluation of freeze-dried milk-blackberry pulp mixture: influence of adjuvants over the physical properties of the powder, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity. Food Research International, v.125, art.108557, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108557.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2019.1...
found that powders from blackberry freeze-dried with maltodextrin, concentrated milk, and Capsul presented irregular and porous particles. According to Ozkan et al. (2019)OZKAN, G.; FRANCO, P.; DE MARCO, I.; XIAO, J.; CAPANOGLU, E. A review of microencapsulation methods for food antioxidants: principles, advantages, drawbacks and applications. Food Chemistry, v.272, p.494-506, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.07.205.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018....
, the non-uniformity in particle size often occurs during the grinding process after drying, indicating a lack of control over the size of the particles. Additionally, in the present study, the powder particles showed small depressions and porous surfaces, which can be due to ice sublimation during the freeze-drying process.
Micrographs (at magnifications of 1,000 and 2,000x) of particles of freeze-dried bacuri (Platonia insignis) pulp powders containing 20% (w/w) maltodextrin (A and B), gum Arabic (C and D), and albumin (E and F).
The particle sizes were smaller for the samples containing gum Arabic (Figure 1 C and D), when compared with those with albumin (Figure 1 E and F). Moreover, the sample containing maltodextrin showed more agglomerated particles than those produced with gum Arabic and albumin (Figure 1A). Ganaie et al. (2021)GANAIE, T.A.; MASOODI, F.A.; RATHER, S.A.; GANI, A. Exploiting maltodextrin and whey protein isolate macromolecules as carriers for the development of freeze dried honey powder. Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications, v.2, art.100040, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2021.100040.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2021.10...
also observed particle agglomeration in honey powders freeze-dried with maltodextrin, attributing this behavior to the glass transition of amorphous carbohydrate matrices. Therefore, products with a high sugar content tend to have a greater tendency for particle agglomeration.
The fitting of the mathematical models varied for the powders from bacuri pulp freeze-dried with 20% (w/w) maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and albumin (Table 3). According to Cavalcante et al. (2018)CAVALCANTE, C.E.B.; RODRIGUES, S.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. Comportamento higroscópico da polpa de graviola em pó obtida por secagem em spray dryer. Brazilian Journal of Food Technology, v.21, e2017121, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-6723.12117.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-6723.12117...
, the appropriate model should be selected based on the lowest mean relative error, which should be below 10%. Based on this criterion, the GAB model should have been considered the best model; however, a physical inconsistency was observed in the K-value, which exceeded 1.0 for maltodextrin at 40ºC (Chirife et al., 1992CHIRIFE, J.; TIMMERMANN, E.O.; IGLESIAS, H.A.; BOQUET, R. Some features of the parameter k of the GAB equation as applied to sorption isotherms of selected food materials. Journal of Food Engineering, v.15, p.75-82, 1992. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0260-8774(92)90041-4.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0260-8774(92)900...
), implying an infinite sorption. Consequently, the BET model, with the second lowest mean relative error, was considered the best fit to represent the isotherm of bacuri pulp powder. Ribeiro et al. (2016)RIBEIRO, L.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; AFONSO, M.R.A. Hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized acerola pulp powder. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v.20, p.269-274, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n3p269-274.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriam...
also selected the BET model, with a mean relative error of 6.95%, for acerola (Malpighia glabra L.) powder freeze-dried with 19.1% maltodextrin. Furthermore, Oliveira et al. (2014)OLIVEIRA, G.S.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; AFONSO, M.R.A. Caracterização e comportamento higroscópico do pó da polpa de cajá liofilizada. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v.18, p.1059-1064, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v18n10p1059-1064.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriam...
found that BET, with a mean relative error of 9.14%, was the most suitable mathematical model for yellow mombin powder freeze-dried with 17% (w/w) maltodextrin.
Results for the fitting of the adsorption isotherm of freeze-dried bacuri (Platonia insignis) pulp powders containing 20% (w/w) maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and albumin at 25ºC and 40ºC.
According to Moreira et al. (2013)MOREIRA, T.B.; ROCHA, É.M.F.F.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. da. Comportamento das isotermas de adsorção do pó da polpa de manga liofilizada. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v. 17, p.1093-1098, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662013001000011.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-4366201300...
, the GAB and BET models, which are the most used for food products, are fit to evaluate the moisture content of the primary layer (monolayer, Xm) of foods, providing insights into their adsorption capacity. The water content of the molecular monolayer plays a crucial role in determining the hygroscopicity and affinity of molecules for water, as well as the overall stability of the food (Celestino, 2010CELESTINO, S.M.C. Princípios de secagem de alimentos. Planaltina: Embrapa Cerrados, 2010. (Embrapa Cerrados. Documentos, 276).).
Based on the BET parameters (Table 3), the moisture content of Xm increased with rising temperature. This temperature-induced change is often associated with alterations in the physical structure of the powdered product, leading to a greater number of active sites with affinity for water molecules, which results in an increased monolayer content (Moreira et al., 2013MOREIRA, T.B.; ROCHA, É.M.F.F.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. da. Comportamento das isotermas de adsorção do pó da polpa de manga liofilizada. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v. 17, p.1093-1098, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662013001000011.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-4366201300...
). Retaining a higher amount of water in the monolayer at a given temperature contributes to a greater stability and lower quality loss in the product (Goula & Adamopoulos, 2008GOULA, A.M.; ADAMOPOULOS, K.G. Effect of maltodextrin addition during spray drying of tomato pulp in dehumidified air: II. Powder properties. Drying technology: an International Journal, v.26, p.726-737, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07373930802046377.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0737393080204637...
).
In the BET model, the Xm values observed for the powders containing maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and albumin (Table 3) were similar to those from 0.030 to 0.065 g water per g solids obtained at 25°C by Stçpieή et al. (2020a)STĘPIEŃ, A.; WITCZAK, M.; WITCZAK, T. Moisture sorption characteristics of food powders containing freeze dried avocado, maltodextrina and inulin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v.149, p.256-261, 2020a. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.154.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020....
for avocado (Persea americana Mill.) powders with inulin and maltodextrin. However, Maciel et al. (2020)MACIEL, R.M.G.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; ARAÚJO, T.M.R. Influence of albumin on guava pulp powder obtained by foam-mat drying. Engenharia Agrícola, v.40, p.388-395, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Agric.v40n3p388-395/2020.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Ag...
found higher Xm values, from 0.3808 to 0.5411 g water per g solids, at 35 and 45ºC, for guava powders with 4.0 and 8.0% albumin. Using the BET model, Ribeiro et al. (2016)RIBEIRO, L.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; AFONSO, M.R.A. Hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized acerola pulp powder. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v.20, p.269-274, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n3p269-274.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriam...
described a similar behavior for Xm in acerola powder freeze-dried at different temperature ranges (25, 35, and 45ºC). Stçpieή et al. (2020a)STĘPIEŃ, A.; WITCZAK, M.; WITCZAK, T. Moisture sorption characteristics of food powders containing freeze dried avocado, maltodextrina and inulin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v.149, p.256-261, 2020a. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.154.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020....
added that increasing inulin and maltodextrin concentrations in freeze-dried avocado powders resulted in a higher moisture content in the monolayer, at 25°C, in the GAB and BET models. In these last two studies, both temperature and the type/concentration of the adjuvant influenced the increase observed in the monolayer. The objective is usually to reduce water absorption, considering that the high sugar content in fruits can lead to an increased solubility at high temperatures during prolonged storage. Although this effect can be mitigated by the use of carrier agents, the efficacy of this process depends on the combination of carrier agent and raw material.
The sorption constants of the molecular layer decreased with increasing temperature (Table 3), indicating the influence of temperature on the equilibrium moisture content between samples. The C and K constants indicate the type of isotherm and the bonding behavior of the water molecules on the surface of the obtained product. In the present study, the isotherms showed a type III classification (Figure 2), characterized by a J shape, which is typical for foods rich in soluble components according to Brunauer et al. (1940)BRUNAUER, S.; DEMING, L.S.; DEMING, W.E.; TELLER, E. On a theory of the van der Waals adsorption of gases. Journal of the American Chemical Society, v.62, p.1723-1732, 1940. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01864a025.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01864a025...
; this classification may deviate from typical isotherm analyses but can vary depending on the product. Similar isotherm types and shapes were reported by Maciel et al. (2020)MACIEL, R.M.G.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; ARAÚJO, T.M.R. Influence of albumin on guava pulp powder obtained by foam-mat drying. Engenharia Agrícola, v.40, p.388-395, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Agric.v40n3p388-395/2020.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-Eng.Ag...
, Ribeiro et al. (2016)RIBEIRO, L.; COSTA, J.M.C. da; AFONSO, M.R.A. Hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized acerola pulp powder. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, v.20, p.269-274, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n3p269-274.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriam...
, and Bernal et al. (2015) for powders of guava dried in tray dryers, freeze-dried acerola pulp, and borojó (Borojoa patinoi Cuatrec.) freeze-dried with gum Arabic, respectively.
Adsorption isotherms of freeze-dried bacuri (Platonia insignis) pulp powders containing 20% (w/w) maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and albumin at 25ºC (A) and 40ºC (B) in the best-fitting model of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller.
There was a substantial increase in equilibrium moisture for the samples within the water activity range of 0.6 to 0.7, at 25ºC, and of 0.5 to 0.6, at 40ºC (Figure 2 A and B). Therefore, the samples tend to be more stable when exposed to environments with a relative humidity below 50%. However, within the water activity range of 0.5 to 0.6, corresponding to a relative humidity between 50 and 60%, there was an increased water adsorption by the powder particles, resulting in a higher moisture content and compromised integrity. Among the powder samples, those containing maltodextrin showed lower equilibrium moisture values at low water activities, but an increased moisture content at water activities of 0.8 and from 0.7 to 0.8 in the 25 and 40ºC isotherms, respectively. Other authors (Rodríguez-Bernal et al., 2015;RODRÍGUEZ-BERNAL, J.M.; FLORES-ANDRADE, E.; LIZARAZO-MORALES, C.; BONILLA, E.; PASCUAL-PINEDA, L.A.; GUTIERRÉZ-LÓPEZ, G.; QUINTANILLA-CARVAJAL, M.X. Moisture adsorption isotherms of the borojó fruit (Borojoa patinoi. Guatrecasas) and gum Arabic powders. Food and Bioproducts Processing, v.94, p.187-198, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2015.03.004.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2015.03.00...
Silva et al., 2018;SILVA, R.S.; SANTOS, C. de L.; MAR, J.M.; KLUCZKOVSKI, A.M.; FIGUEIREDO, J. de A.; BORGES, S.V.; BAKRY, A.M.; SANCHES, E.A.; CAMPELO, P.H. Physicochemical properties of tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) powders with different carbohydrate biopolymers. LWT – Food Science and Technology, v.94, p.79-86, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.04.047.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.04.04...
Stçpieή et al., 2020bSTĘPIEŃ, A.; WITCZAK, M.; WITCZAK, T. Sorption properties, glass transition and state diagrams for pumpkin powders containing maltodextrins. LWT - Food Science and Technology, v.134, art.110192, 2020b. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110192.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.11019...
) also found that fruit-based products often show a water activity proportional to the increase in relative humidity at a constant temperature (Figure 2).
No significant differences were observed when bacuri powder was exposed to higher temperatures (Figure 2B). Despite this, according to Al-Muhtaseb et al. (2010)AL-MUHTASEB, A.H.; HARARAH, M.A.; MEGAHEY, E.K.; MCMINN, W.A.M.; MAGEE, T.R.A. Moisture adsorption isotherms of microwave-baked madeira cake. LWT – Food Science and Technology, v.43, p.1042-1049, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2010.01.003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2010.01.00...
, foods whose constituents have a low molecular weight, such as organic acids, salts, and sugars, may become more hygroscopic at higher temperatures due to solubilization. In the case of the present study, the adjuvants contributed to mitigating these effects at a temperature of 40ºC, with albumin showing a greater stability than the other adjuvants.
Cavalcante et al. (2018)CAVALCANTE, C.E.B.; RODRIGUES, S.; AFONSO, M.R.A.; COSTA, J.M.C. Comportamento higroscópico da polpa de graviola em pó obtida por secagem em spray dryer. Brazilian Journal of Food Technology, v.21, e2017121, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-6723.12117.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-6723.12117...
, Stçpieή et al. (2020b)STĘPIEŃ, A.; WITCZAK, M.; WITCZAK, T. Sorption properties, glass transition and state diagrams for pumpkin powders containing maltodextrins. LWT - Food Science and Technology, v.134, art.110192, 2020b. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110192.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.11019...
, and Silva et al. (2018)SILVA, R.S.; SANTOS, C. de L.; MAR, J.M.; KLUCZKOVSKI, A.M.; FIGUEIREDO, J. de A.; BORGES, S.V.; BAKRY, A.M.; SANCHES, E.A.; CAMPELO, P.H. Physicochemical properties of tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) powders with different carbohydrate biopolymers. LWT – Food Science and Technology, v.94, p.79-86, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.04.047.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.04.04...
also observed an increase in relative moisture beyond a water activity of 0.6 in the powders of soursop (Annona muricata L.) spray-dried with maltodextrin, pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) freeze-dried with maltodextrin, and tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum G.Mey.) freeze-dried with gum Arabic, maltodextrin, dextrin, and modified starch, respectively. Silva et al. (2018)SILVA, R.S.; SANTOS, C. de L.; MAR, J.M.; KLUCZKOVSKI, A.M.; FIGUEIREDO, J. de A.; BORGES, S.V.; BAKRY, A.M.; SANCHES, E.A.; CAMPELO, P.H. Physicochemical properties of tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) powders with different carbohydrate biopolymers. LWT – Food Science and Technology, v.94, p.79-86, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.04.047.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2018.04.04...
concluded that an increased water adsorption leads to particle agglomeration and a reduction in the glass transition temperature of the adjuvant, potentially causing physicochemical changes in the product and reducing its stability.
Considering the moisture gain starting at water activities of 0.5 to 0.6, it is recommended to store bacuri powder under conditions that do not exceed these limits in order to prevent potential product alterations due to an increased hygroscopicity.
Conclusions
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The addition of drying adjuvants results in a low moisture content in freeze-dried bacuri (Platonia insignis) powders.
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The inclusion of maltodextrin reduces the hygroscopicity of the powder.
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The inclusion of albumin improves the stability of the powder in environments with a high relative humidity.
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The particles of the powder show sharp and irregular shapes.
-
For the isotherms ofbacuri pulp powder, classified as type III, the best-fit model is that of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller.
Acknowledgments
To Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), for financing, in part, this study (Finance Code 001); and to Central Analítica of Universidade Federal do Ceará (funding programs Finep-CT-INFRA, Pró-Equipamentos CAPES, and MCTI-CNPq-SisNano2.0), for the microscopic measurements.
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Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
02 Sept 2024 -
Date of issue
2024
History
-
Received
01 Sept 2023 -
Accepted
10 May 2024