Aqueous extract from seeds of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, Myrtaceae,
obtained by dynamic maceration was spray-dried and characterized by its physicochemical
and antihyperglycaemic action. The extract showed to possess high amount
of polyphenols, significant in vitro free radical scavenger activity using the DPPH
method and an antihyperglycaemic effect in alloxan-induced experimental diabetes.
S. cumini spray-dried extracts were obtained using silicon dioxide and cassava starch
as adjuvants. The powders showed acceptable flowability, compact ability, and low
hygroscopicity at 43% relative humidity. Besides, the spray-dried extracts showed in
vivo antihyperglycaemic and in vitro scavenger activity comparable to the lyophilized
extract. Thus, experimental data indicates that the extract from S. cumini has a relevant
activity and that spray-drying could be adequately used to perform the technological
processing of S. cumini fluid extracts.