Spray-dried almond milk powder containing microencapsulated flaxseed oil

Spray-dried almond milk (AM) powders containing microencapsulated flaxseed oil (FO) were formulated at concentrations of 0, 2, or 4 g flaxseed oil/100 g sample. Powders containing 4% FO had a statistically higher b* value and appeared yellower than other treatments (p < 0.05). Theoretical yields ranged from 60.0 ± 6.1% to 62.4 ± 2.7% and were not statistically different between treatments. As expected, the proximate analysis showed predominant carbohydrate composition for all formulations and the highest total lipid content for the 4% FO treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed spherical particles of approximately 5 µm for all treatments, and microencapsulation efficiencies ranging from 68.0 ± 1.2% to 73.9 ± 2.0%. AM powders containing 2% FO had lower lipid oxidation values than 4% formulations. AMFO powders could be an alternative to dairy milk powders and supply polyunsaturated fatty acids.