Application of inulin in thin-layer drying process of araticum (Annona crassiflora) pulp

Abstract

The objective of this study was to obtain araticum pulp powder through thin layer convective air drying. Inulin was used as a drying aid agent. Different drying temperatures (70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C) and inulin contents (20 g/100 g and 30 g/100 g) were evaluated. Drying curves were obtained and analyses of the dried product were performed in terms of moisture, wettability, solubility, bulk tapped density, color, moisture sorption isotherms, and X-ray diffraction. The Page model was suitable for describing the drying kinetics from the experimental data. The drying process occurred faster as temperature increased; moreover, the presence of inulin did not influence drying kinetics. Powders produced using inulin as a drying aid showed lower moisture contents and satisfactory wettability results; however, treatments without inulin produced powders with better solubility. The use of different drying temperatures did not significantly change the color of the powders. The Guggenheim, Anderson, and de Boer (GAB) model was applied to describe the isotherms' behaviors. The presence of inulin significantly affected moisture adsorption, contributing to the production of powders with lower hygroscopicity. The use of inulin in the drying process of araticum pulp is a suitable process and positively affected the characteristics of the dried product.