Effect of carriers on physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities and biological components of spray-dried purple sweet potato flours

► Maltodextrin was selected as best carrier for spray-dried purple sweet potato flours. ► Carrier addition presented protective effects for starch granules against disruption. ► Purple sweet potato flour with maltodextrin had excellent antioxidant capacities. ► Flavonoids and total phenolics were responsible for antioxidant capacities of flours.