This study aimed to develop an alternative and scalable method for producing tamarind seed xyloglucan (TSX) powder from tamarind kernel powder (TKP) by applying alkaline treatment combined with sequential washing and spray drying. The washing treatment, employing mild sodium hydroxide and distilled water, was designed to effectively remove non-carbohydrate impurities while improving product purity and functionality. The extracted TSX powders were analyzed for proximate composition, color, pasting, apparent viscosity, water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and rheological behavior. The washing process markedly reduced protein, fat, and ash contents to below 1%, while increasing carbohydrate content and xyloglucan purity to over 96%, as confirmed by FTIR and monosaccharide analysis. Functionally, the washed samples exhibited improved lightness (93.3 ± 0.1), whiteness (91.96 ± 0.1), apparent viscosity (5,283 ± 150 cP), and gel-forming ability, showing pronounced shear-thinning and weak gel-like behavior at high angular frequency of shear force. However, the implementation of washing and spray drying resulted in lower yields due to the removal of soluble solids. Overall, the proposed method offers a technically feasible alternative for producing high-purity TSX powders suitable for use as hydrocolloids or stabilizers in food and related industries.
Hasbullah et al. (Wed,) studied this question.