Parameter optimization for spray drying of tamarind pulp using response surface methodology

• Tamarind pulp was spray dried using soya protein isolate as a carrier.
• Response surface methodology was used to optimize the spray drying process.
• Independent variables were SPI concentration, inlet temperature and feed rate.
• All the independent variables significantly affected all responses.
• Optimized powder possessed desirable powder properties.

The present study was aimed to optimize the process parameters for production of spray dried tamarind pulp powder using response surface methodology (RSM). The independent variables were soya protein isolate (SPI) concentration, inlet air temperature and feed flow rate. The responses evaluated for deciding the optimum conditions were process yield, moisture content, hygroscopicity and solubility. Statistical analysis showed that independent variables significantly affected all the responses. The derived optimum conditions were used for the production of spray dried tamarind pulp powder to check the validity of the quadratic model. Small deviations were found between the experimental values and the predicted ones and the values were within the acceptable limits, indicating the efficiency of the model in predicting the quality attributes of tamarind pulp powder. The results showed that the most desirable optimum spray drying conditions for development of tamarind pulp powder with optimum quality were 25% SPI concentration, 170 °C inlet temperature and 400 ml/h feed flow rate. At these derived optimum conditions quality tamarind pulp powder with desirable properties of increased process yield, low moisture content, low hygroscopicity and high solubility could be produced.

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