Optimization of charantin rich powder from momordica charantia using extraction and spray drying processes

Abstract

Momordica charantia (M. charantia) fruits have a lot of health benefits through its antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunotoxin, antifertility and antimutagenic properties. Besides, M. charantia has the potential of controlling glucose levels in hyperglycemic states in Asian countries. The target compound in this fruits is charantin. Thus, a research on the production of charantin rich powder from M. charantia was carried out using a water-based extraction and spray dryer. The objectives of this research are to determine the optimum conditions for the extraction of charantin from M. charantia, to investigate the optimum condition of total solid content of maltodextrin for the feedstock of the spray drying process, and to optimize the parameters of the M. charantia powder spray drying process to produce higher quality charantin encapsulation. The process conditions of this study were particle size (250 = particle diameter = 300) µm, extraction time (6 hours) and ratio sample:solvent (1:20). The optimum temperature for maximum extraction was 80 oC which yielded 8.238 mg/mL of charantin. The optimum feedstock solution level was 10o brix of total solid content of maltodextrin which yielded 6.948 mg/mL of charantin. The spray drying was run at an inlet temperature ranging from 150 oC to 190 oC and a feed flow rate ranging from 2 to 4 mL/min. The maximum charantin concentration during spray drying process condition was achieved at 170 oC and 3 mL/min with the concentration of 2.400 mg/mL, powder yield of 2.9 g, encapsulation efficiency of 29.1% and moisture content of 2.3%. The optimization of spray drying conditions were evaluated in term of inlet temperature and feed flow rate with respect to responses of powder yield, concentration of charantin and moisture content. The results showed that a temperature of 175.96oC and feed flow rate of 2.41 mL/min produced the highest powder yield, moisture content and concentration of charantin with 3.51 g, 2.5% and 1.563 mg/mL, respectively. The regression coefficient, R2 for powder yield, concentration of charantin and moisture content were 0.8741, 0.7579 and 0.7651, respectively. This shows that the higher value of R2 is consistent with the data predicted using an experimental data model. The results of this study have a potential for commercialization as the powder contains rich encapsulation of charantin.