Influencia del método de secado por aspersión sobre la composición química de los cálices de la Especie Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linn

Abstract

The calyces of the Hibiscus sabdariffa L., also known as jamaica flower, contain a large number of chemical compounds, the main ones are: organic acids, phenolic acids and anthocyanins, the most important are delfinifin-3-sambubioside and cyanidine-3-sambubioside. Among the therapeutic properties that are associated with anthocyanins are: lipid lowering, antioxidant, diuretic, antipyretic, antihypertensive, in addition to its possible use as a dye, both in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Although these flavonoids have great potential, unfortunately their main disadvantage is the instability. These compounds are susceptible to degradation by different conditions, such as pH, enzymes, oxygen, light, among others. Considering the great utility that the chalices of jamaica report, the objective of the investigation was to analyze the microcapsules obtained by the spray drying method, to determine the influence of the process, on the physicochemical properties and the antioxidant capacity, of the dry extract of the calyces of the species H. sabdariffa. The chalices of H. sabdariffa were collected on the grounds of the Academic Unit of Agricultural Sciences (UACA), it receiving the correct post-harvest treatment, prior to the drying process. To determine the best extraction condition, an experimental design was carried out with two variables and two conditions for each variable: solvent (water and water/ethanol) and the ratio temperature/extraction time (25ºC/60 min. and 60ºC/30 min.), for which twelve experimental runs were made. In all cases the extraction method used was maceration with ultrasonic agitation.