Spray drying of sisal liquids extracts (Furcraea spp.): Overall performance of the drying process

Hecogenin is a product with high potential in the pharmaceutical industry, which may be extracted from the liquid waste of sisal (Furcraea spp.). A powder product from the liquid extract was obtained using spray drying, and the process was optimized according to the operating conditions of the dryer and quality properties of the final product. The results indicate that the best conditions are achieved at the inlet and outlet air-drying temperatures of 160°C and 82.6°C, respectively, and an atomizer disc speed of 26,800rpm. For these conditions, we obtained a powder yield of 62.2%, stickiness of 14%, a moisture content of 3.98% w.b, a solubility of 98.86%, a water activity of 0.26 and a hecogenin content 2924mg/kg. Additionally, the effect of the moisture content on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the powder was evaluated. [Display omitted] •A powder from the liquid extracts of sisal can be obtained by spray drying.•The spray drying process did not affect the hecogenin content of sisal extracts.•The glass transition temperature of the sisal powder is low (