Powdered honey - drying methods and parameters, types of carriers and drying aids, physicochemical properties and storage stability

Background. Honey powder is an attractive substitute for liquid honey, which application in food and pharmaceutical industry is limited due to high density and viscosity. However, the manufacturing of powdered honey is still a challenge both for industry as well as researchers. It results from the chemical composition of this unique product, mainly from high content of sugars and organic acids. Honey powder preparation involves the application of appropriate carrier, drying aid and/or enriching component, drying method and parameters. It can be also preceded by selected pretreatment methods. Scope and approach: The paper presents the processing techniques proposed during last decade for the preparation of honey powders, as well as the description of physicochemical properties and storage stability of obtained powders. The detailed description of problems associated with honey drying was also presented, together with the methods used to overcome those difficulties. Carriers and drying aids used during honey drying were characterized, as well as novel innovative approaches in honey powder preparation. Key findings and conclusions: Drying method, parameters and carrier materials used have to be carefully selected to obtain honey powder characterized by beneficial physical properties. Spray drying method is the most promising in honey powder preparation. Diafiltration was recently proposed as new pretreatment method before drying. The preparation of nutritionally enriched honey powder, as well as honey-based milk agglomerated powders is a current trend in honey powder processing.