The effect of co-crystallization process on the physicochemical and functional properties of sucrose powder containing olive leaf extract

In the present study, the effect of co-crystallization process and different concentrations of extract on physicochemical and functional properties of sucrose powders containing olive leaf extract was evaluated. Entrapment yield, loading capacity, antioxidant activity, characteristics of co-crystallized product such as moisture, water activity, bulk and tapped density, solubility and hygroscopicity, as well as flowability properties of powder (carr index, hausner ratio and angle of repose) were characterized. The results showed that the highest loading capacity (about 1.178 mg gallic acid /g powder) obtained from co-crystallized products containing 10% olive leaf extract. In addition, in this process, entrapment yield of phenolic compounds of olive leaf extract was about 89%. Olive leaf extract antioxidant property towards DPPH· radical was maintained during co-crystallization process. The difference in particle size of co-crystallized product was significantly (p˂0.05) influenced its flow properties. In general, the values of water activity, moisture content, hygroscopicity and flow properties of co-crystallized product showed the effectiveness of this method to produce powders with physicochemical, flowability and high stability characteristics.