Production of carotenoid-rich powder pigments from residual sunflower petals: drying, extraction kinetics, carrier-dependent properties, and food system application

This study evaluated carotenoid-rich powder pigment production from residual sunflower petals ( Helianthus annuus var. Vincent's Choice), focusing on convective drying, extraction kinetics, carrier-dependent properties, and food applications. Petals dried at 40, 50, and 60°C showed the highest carotenoid retention at 40°C (843.64 mg β-carotene eq./100 g d.m.); drying at 60°C reduced them by 20%. Conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded comparable final carotenoid recovery (795.566 ± 29.508 and 814.073 ± 50.410 mg β-carotene eq./100 g d.m.); however, ultrasound increased the initial extraction rate by 60.2%. The Peleg model adequately described both systems (R² ≥ 0.99). Carotenoid-rich powders were formulated with maltodextrin, arabic gum, and gelatin. Gelatin and arabic gum retained the highest carotenoid contents (19.623 ± 1.209 and 18.724 ± 0.920 mg β-carotene eq./100 g d.m.), maltodextrin and arabic gum showed high water solubility, and gelatin showed the best flow performance. The GAB model described moisture adsorption satisfactorily (R² ≥ 0.971). Instrumental color confirmed carrier-dependent hue differences among the powders and a perceptible color change (ΔE = 8.10-9.95 in yogurt; ΔE = 18.57 in marshmallow) relative to unpigmented controls. Drying temperature, extraction strategy, and carrier selection are key factors for developing sunflower petal-derived carotenoid powder pigments.