Concept:
Spray drying is a process used to convert liquid food into powder by atomizing it into fine droplets and drying them rapidly with hot air. The characteristics of the final powder depend on process parameters.
Step 1: Role of nozzle pressure.
Nozzle pressure determines how finely the liquid is atomized into droplets.
Step 2: Effect on particle size.
- High nozzle pressure → Smaller droplets → Finer particles
- Low nozzle pressure → Larger droplets → Coarser particles
Step 3: Impact on final product.
Particle size influences solubility, flow properties, and texture of the powder.
Step 4: Eliminating other options.
- Moisture content: Mainly affected by temperature and airflow
- pH value: Not influenced by nozzle pressure
- Color only: Not the primary parameter affected
Step 5: Conclusion.
Thus, nozzle pressure primarily affects the particle size in spray drying.