Abstract:The buffalo milk river Bubalus bubalis is the second most produced in the world, being considered compared to other species as a milk high compositional, nutritional value and high technological poten...The buffalo milk river Bubalus bubalis is the second most produced in the world, being considered compared to other species as a milk high compositional, nutritional value and high technological potential, qualities that have allowed each even better position in the Colombian market.Currently spray drying is one of the techniques used for drying heat-sensitive materials and widely used commercially for milk powder.The objective of this research was to evaluate the conditions of spray drying technology for buffalo milk powder laboratory scale.A central composite design was used with four factors: (A) Level of fat (6.34, 4.65, 0.93%), (B) Inlet temperature air (160, 180, 200 °C), (C) Outlet temperature air (75, 80, 85 °C) and (D) Atomization speed (25000, 30000, 35000 rpm).The drying process is optimized using the methodology of response surface where process conditions and functional properties of the powder obtained were evaluated, being the response variables that showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05)% Yield, Water Activity, % Solubility and % fat content.Additionally, was evaluated % Humidity, Peroxide (mEq.O 2 /kg oil) and % effective recovery, which variables were not significantly different (p>0.05).In general, the optimal conditions for spray drying suggested for obtaining powder according to the factors found were: Level of Fat (2.92%), inlet temperature air (184 °C) Outlet Temperature Air (83 °C) and atomization speed (23,463 rpm).The study showed that the drying conditions imposed can produce a stable milk powder buffalo milk, characterized by high nutritional and functional value, low-humidity, remain viable for a subsequent operation on a larger scale.Read More