Storage of spinach juice agglomerates: Physical, flow, structural, and thermal properties

The objective of this study was to investigate how the various storage temperatures affected the physical properties, flow characteristics, microstructure, and glass transition temperature of spinach juice agglomerates. For this purpose, spray-dried spinach juice powders were processed to agglomerates by using a modified fluidized bed dryer (1.6 m/s airflow rate, 60°C drying air temperature, 20 min processing time, and with different binder solutions containing agents as maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and whey powder isolate). The analyses were carried out every month throughout 6 months while the spinach juice agglomerates were stored at temperatures of 4, 20, and 35°C. The results revealed that over the storage time, the moisture content and water activity values of the agglomerates were generally under 11% and 0.6, respectively. The color values generally showed a decreasing trend depending on the storage time. The solubility times of the samples stored at 4°C were longer than those of stored at other storage temperatures. The SJA-GA had the lowest HR and CI values and thus the best flowability properties during all storage times. There was no detectable change in the structures of SJA stored at 20°C according to the storage time. Throughout the storage time, it was discovered that the glass transition temperature of all spinach juice agglomerates was remarkably similar. Overall, the investigation revealed that storage at 35°C for 6 months might be suitable because it delivered the intended outcomes such as greater flowability and cohesiveness, and shorter wettability and solubility times.