Abstract
Karkade calyces' samples (variety Rahad) collected from different local sites were spray dried, and the powder samples were analyzed physically, chemically and microbiologically. The particle size of the various karkade powder samples ranged from 11.8 to 14.1 mu m, while the flowability (angle of repose) ranged from 41 degrees to 43 degrees 20'. The reconstitution properties slightly varied when the various karkade samples were compared. The ranges of wettability, sinkability and dispersibility were 320-370 s, 800-850 s and 0.04-0.05 OD, respectively. The bulk density ranged from 0.57 to 0.65 g/ml, and the yield of karkade powder of the various samples ranged between 31.4 and 34.3%. The spray-dried samples from different sites were comparable in most of the chemical components, and they contained relatively good amount of macro-and micronutrients and high nutritive value. Virtually, all the spray-dried karkade powder samples were devoid of coliform, staphylococci and Salmonella cells.