Development of a Plant Bioactive-Rich Tahini-Based Powder Enriched with Pea Protein and Coconut Milk Powder: Antioxidant Properties, Nutritional Characterization, In Vitro INFOGEST Static Digestion

This study aimed to develop a spray-dried tahini-based powder enriched with pea protein and coconut milk powder and to comprehensively characterize its plant bioactive composition, antioxidant potential, nutritional properties, and bioaccessibility following the standardized INFOGEST in vitro static gastrointestinal digestion protocol. A stable oil-in-water emulsion containing tahini (50%), pea protein (30%), and coconut milk powder (20%) was prepared by microfluidization and converted into powder by spray drying. The resulting powder exhibited considerable total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, together with distinct amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion significantly altered the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity, while several key bioactive compounds showed measurable in vitro bioaccessibility in the intestinal fraction. The formulation also contained high levels of protein (52.69%), lipid (26.42%), and dietary fiber (8.28%) with low moisture (2.28%). Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were the predominant minerals, whereas oleic and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids. Overall, the developed spray-dried tahini-based powder represents a nutritionally valuable plant-derived functional ingredient combining antioxidant potential with the bioaccessibility of essential nutrients.