Optimisation of Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Spray Drying for Chlorophyll Powder Production From Ceratophyllum submersum L.

This study aimed to optimize chlorophyll extraction from Ceratophyllum submersum L. and develop a stable spray-dried chlorophyll powder. Microwave-assisted extraction was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (Box-Behnken design) with MgCO3 concentration, microwave power, and extraction time as variables. The optimal conditions (0.763% MgCO3, 372.1 W, 5.28 min) yielded 0.187 mg/g dry mass, which closely matched the predicted value. Spray drying parameters were optimized at 25% maltodextrin, a feed rate of 6 mL/min, and an inlet temperature of 160°C. SEM revealed spherical particles with typical surface wrinkling; FTIR showed spectral features consistent with the chlorophyll-maltodextrin matrix, without allowing specific differentiation between chlorophyll and its degradation products, while XRD revealed a predominantly amorphous structure. The resulting powder exhibited a low moisture content (3.25%), high solubility (83.72%), and acceptable flowability, with a Carr index of 23.45% and a Hausner ratio of 1.30. The measured microbiological, heavy-metal, and residual-solvent levels met the evaluated safety criteria. These findings demonstrate the potential of C. submersum as an underutilized source of natural chlorophyll and provide laboratory-scale processing conditions for further compositional, storage-stability, application, and scale-up studies.