Optimization of Production of Instant Jujube Powder by Spray Drying and Analysis of Its Reconstitution Property.

Using jujube as raw material, the effects of inlet air temperature, atomizer speed and feed flow rate of spray drying on the dispersibility, wettability, moisture content and particle size of instant red jujube powder were investigated by single factor test. The three factors of the inlet air temperature, converter speed and feed flow rate were selected as the independent variables, and the dispersion time and wetting time were selected as the response values for the response surface optimization test. The results showed that the optimum parameters for the preparation of instant red jujube powder by spray drying were as follows inlet air temperature 170 °C, feed flow rate 1.3 L/h, atomizer speed 400 r/s. Under these conditions, the wetting time and dispersion time were 3.86 s, 2.27 s respectively, which was consistent with the model prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]