Moisture content and water activity of spray-dried powders
Moisture contents and water activity of spray-dried powders are shown in Table 2. Moisture contents of spraydried powders varied from 2.11–6.00% and were differed significantly (Po0.05). Modified tapioca starch showed lower moisture content than its native starch. Maltodextrin
had the lowest moisture content. Similar results were observed for water activity. These differences could be attributed to the structure of granules and viscosity of starch. Native tapioca starch had more rigid or tight crystalline structure and high viscosity (as mentioned
earlier), as compared to modified tapioca starch and these could influence rate of drying..