Production of pineapple Centella asiatica L. (PCAL) powder by spray drying process: optimization, modelling, and encapsulation mechanism

Spray drying of pineapple poses significant challenges due to its high sugar content and stickiness, resulting in low powder yield and poor handling properties. To address these limitations, this study explores the application of antioxidant rich Centella asiatica L. (CAL) as a natural bioactive additive and stabiliser, reducing sugar related stickiness and supporting production of higher yield, nutritionally enriched spray dried powders. This study aimed to evaluate spray drying conditions for optimizing pineapple Centella asiatica L. (PCAL) powder, investigating its drying kinetics, physicochemical properties, moisture sorption behaviour, and bioactive encapsulation mechanism.