Optimization of spray drying operating conditions for production of functional milk powder encapsulating bee pollen

This study was aimed to develop functional milk powder encapsulating bee pollen grains. The manufacturing of functional milk powder was successfully optimized by Box-Behnken design using inlet air temperature (180-200 degrees C), feed rate (8-10 mL min(-1)), and bee pollen (5%-15%) as independent variables. The optimum spray drying conditions for obtaining milk powder were 187.58 degrees C inlet air temperature, 8.94 mL min(-1) feed flow rate, and 8.04% bee pollen, respectively. The functional milk powder had an amorphous nature, narrow particles' size range, and polyphenolic content of 11.24 mg GAE g(-1). Further, scanning electron microscopy showed adequate encapsulation of pollen grains and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of polyphenolic compounds.

Automated summary

The study successfully optimized the manufacturing process of functional milk powder using Box-Behnken design, achieving the best spray drying conditions. The functional milk powder demonstrated an amorphous nature, narrow particle size range, and high polyphenolic content.