Optimization of fluidized bed agglomeration process for developing a blackberry powder mixture.

The research objective was to experimentally optimize the fluidized bed agglomeration process of an agglomerated blackberry powder mixture (ABPM) using the response surface methodology. As a raw material, a powdered mixture of blackberry from Castile ( Benth) obtained by spray drying (SD) was used. In the evaluation of the agglomeration process, the response surface methodology was applied using a central design with a face-centered composition (α = 1), considering the independent variables: fluidisation air inlet temperature (T) (50-70 °C), the binder solution atomization air pressure (P) (1-2 bar) and process time (t) (20-35 min); and the dependent variable: moisture content (Xw), solubility (S), wettability (), apparent density (ρ), total phenols (TP), radical scavenging (ABTS·+ and DPPH· methods), anthocyanins (Ant) (cyanidin-3-glucoside (CG)), ellagic acid (EA) and vitamin C (Vit.