Effect of pre-treatments and sugar coating on the physico-chemical characteristics, bioactive compounds and 1H NMR based metabolomic profile of mango (Mangifera indica) powder

This study investigated the effects of chemical, thermochemical, and sugar-coating treatments on the physicochemical characteristics, powder properties, bioactive compounds, and metabolomic profile of mango pulp powder. Chemical and thermochemical treatments were applied utilizing citric acid, ascorbic acid, and potassium metabisulfite along with carrier materials maltodextrin and gum Arabic. Samples were dried at 55±2°C in a cabinet dryer, and sugar-coating (250 g/kg) was applied to the dried mango sheets. Fourteen metabolites were identified among all samples using 1 H NMR spectra. Chemically treated sample exhibited higher phenolic compounds (18.0±0.4 mg GAE/g), DPPH• scavenging activity (16.0±0.1 mmol TE/g), and metabolites such as alanine, threonine, and choline. In contrast, thermochemically treated sample had better flowability, higher flavonoid (2.20±0.05 mg CE/g), carotenoid (11.6±0.5 μg/g), fucose, citric acid and lower sucrose content. However, sugar-coated samples had lower metabolite concentrations and poor flowability. These findings indicated thermochemical treatment to be effective for producing clump free mango powder. • Effects of chemical, thermochemical, and sugar-coating on mango powder properties. • Thermochemical treatment produced superior quality clump-free mango powder. • Sugar-coating samples prevented clumping but had poor flowability. • Fourteen metabolites were revealed by 1 H NMR metabolomic analysis.