Characteristics of Sugar Palm Sap Powder (Arenga pinnata Merr.) Produced using the Foam-mat Drying Method with Various Encapsulant Agents

Background: Sugar palm sap (Arenga pinnata Merr.) is a natural liquid from tapping sugar palm trees, rich in sugars and bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. inulin. Methods: This study analyzes the characteristics of sugar palm sap powder produced using some encapsulant agents, including maltodextrin, dextrin, gum arabic and The analysis includes moisture content, yield, total phenolics, antioxidant activity and functional group identification using FTIR and crystallinity phase using XRD. Result: The results show that gum arabic provides the highest total phenolic retention at 1.35 mg GAE/100 g and the highest antioxidant activity at 31.93%. Maltodextrin and dextrin offer the best physical stability. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of key functional groups such as O-H, C-H and C-O, while XRD confirmed that all samples are in an amorphous phase. Encapsulant affects the physical and bioactive properties of palm sap powder, with gum arabic excelling in bioactive compound retention. At the same time, maltodextrin and dextrin provide the best physical stability.