STABILITY OF DEHYDRATED PREPARATIONS BASED ON BRS CARMEM GRAPE JUICE AND BAOBAB PULP

The dehydration of fruit juices and pulps, such as grape, is a versatile strategy that extends shelf life and adds functional value to products, mainly due to the presence of bioactive compounds. However, the final quality of dehydrated products depends on the physicochemical properties and technological components of the formulation, which influence stability, reconstitution, and commercial acceptance. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) pulp powder as a natural alternative to synthetic additives in the production of dehydrated BRS Carmem grape juice using the foam-mat drying technique. Physicochemical parameters related to solubility, hygroscopicity, and moisture content were analyzed to understand how replacing synthetic additives with natural ingredients may affect the stability and functionality of dehydrated preparations. Four formulations containing fixed proportions of BRS Carmem grape juice (75.5%) and maltodextrin-DE10 (15%) were developed, combined with different levels of baobab pulp powder, Emustab®, and Super Liga Neutra® (SLN) (F1-0:7.5:2%; F2-1:8.5:0%; F3-2:7.5:0%; F4-3:6.5:0%). Results showed that the absence of SLN significantly reduced the hygroscopicity and moisture content of the dehydrated grape pulp without compromising solubility, which remained high in all samples, ranging from 98.97% to 99.04%. The gradual replacement of Emustab with baobab pulp powder helped maintain low hygroscopicity and moisture levels, particularly in formulations F2 (0.59 and 1.06%) and F4 (0.60 and 1.07%). However, the intermediate formulation (F3), with 2% baobab, showed a slight increase in these parameters (0.80 and 1.56%), suggesting that the substitution effect is not linear. Overall, the combination of SLN removal, Emustab reduction, and addition of baobab pulp powder resulted in stable powders with lower water absorption tendency and preservation of high solubility — a desirable characteristic for products intended for reconstitution.