Effect of Maltodextrin on Drying Rate of Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) Pulp by Refractance Window Technique, and on Color and Functional Properties of Powder

This study investigated the effects of various maltodextrin contents (0, 6, 7.5, 9, and 10.5 g/100 g of pulp) on the drying rate and powder quality of avocado pulp dried by refractance window technique. Increasing the maltodextrin addition level significantly decreased the drying rate and prolonged the drying time. The maltodextrin considerably affected the drying rate of pulp when its moisture content was higher than 1.0 g/g dry weight. A significant improvement was found in the retention of total contents of phenolics and chlorophylls, antioxidant capacity, and color in avocado powder obtained from pulp with maltodextrin. The addition of 9 g maltodextrin/100 g of pulp allowed to retain 85.60% TPC, 78.78% total chlorophyll content, 83.48% DPPH radical scavenging activity, and 78.89% ferric reducing antioxidant power. However, maltodextrin in the amount of 10.5 g/100 g of pulp had a negative impact on moisture removal and deteriorated the quality of the dried avocado. These findings may have practical application for the production of dried avocado and other fruits.