To minimize the stickiness problem, both process-based and material science-based approaches are used. Process-based approaches include the mechanical scraping of the wall of the drying chamber, introduction of cold air at the bottom of the chamber and the use of low temperature/low humidity air. An example of the material science based approach involves the addition of drying aids such as corn starch, gum Arabic and maltodextrin to reduce the stickiness of the powders (Downton, Flores-Luna and King, 1982; Werner et al., 2007).
However, no studies have been carried out to convert unfermented coconut sap or the sweet toddy into an amorphous powder due its inherent stickiness. Therefore, this study was aimed at spray drying sweet toddy into an amorphous powder with the addition of maltodextrin (DE 10) as a drying aid and to characterize the powder with respect to moisture content, water activity value, crystalline/amorphous nature, sugar profile and the keeping quality.