Maltodextrin was more effective in the preservation of
physicochemical characteristics of spray dried blackberry
powder, because powders produced with this
carrier agent were less hygroscopic, showed higher
anthocyanin retention and higher antioxidant activity,
lower moisture content and better reconstitution properties.
Experimental data of water adsorption were well
fitted to GAB model, showing high coefficients of
determination. With respect to morphology, all the
samples exhibited a large number of irregular particles
with spherical shapes. Particles produced with gum
arabic were smaller and more shrivelled, which contributed
to the increase in wettability values and lower
pigments protection. The use of maltodextrin resulted in
powders rich in anthocyanins, with high antioxidant
activity and good quality, which can be used as natural
food colourants in the production of dry mixes, beverages,
desserts, jellies, jams and other products.