Palmyra palm ( <i>Borassus flabellifer</i> ) sap powder as a functional ingredient for the development of low‐glycemic index brownies

Abstract BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is an escalating global health concern, emphasizing the urgent need for low‐glycemic index (GI) alternatives to conventional high‐sugar foods. Palmyra palm ( Borassus flabellifer ) sap, traditionally used to produce natural brown sugar, offers a promising naturally sweet and low‐GI ingredient. However, its high moisture and sucrose content predispose it to microbial spoilage, significantly limiting shelf life and industrial applicability. RESULTS Spray drying effectively reduced the moisture content by 97.62–98.57% across all formulations. Among the carrier agents tested, maltodextrin increased water activity and hygroscopicity, whereas inulin contributed to greater antioxidant retention. A blend of maltodextrin, gum arabic and inulin in a 45:45:10 ratio was selected for further application based on its superior antioxidant retention and acceptable physicochemical properties among the formulations evaluated. The resulting encapsulated palm sap powder (PPS) was then incorporated into a gluten‐free, low‐GI brownie formulation using D‐optimal mixture design. The optimized formulation, containing 502.3 g kg −1 PPS and 127.7 g kg −1 tapioca starch, with estimated low GI value of 48.66 based on in vitro hydrolysis. Sensory evaluation conducted among consumers in Chiang Mai revealed high acceptability, with 97.5% of participants expressing overall satisfaction and 95% indicating purchase intention. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the potential of PPS as an alternative sweetener for developing bakery products with reduced estimated glycemic response. The integration of traditional ingredients with modern food processing approaches may support the development of innovative products aligned with evolving consumer and nutritional demands. However, further in vivo studies are required to confirm the physiological relevance of these findings. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.