Honey powder is being increasingly used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, because it avoids inconveniences of raw honey, such as high viscosity, stickiness and formation of sugar crystals. It is of paramount importance to know if honey powders keep the features of raw honeys. This is the first study, in which total phenolics, total flavonoids, and biological properties of ling-heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) honey powders obtained by different drying methods (spray drying, vacuum drying and freeze drying), using different carriers (Arabic gum, whey protein isolate and maltodextrin) were assessed. Results showed that all the drying procedures and carriers retained the honey phenolics in the honey powders. Honey powders' antioxidant activities against different free radicals (ABTS•+, ROO•, •OH and O2•-) were higher than those of the raw honeys, while honey powders’ anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities against several microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli) were lower. Concentration of honey in the powder and type of carrier used for dehydration were the key factors for the quality of honey powders. However, the drying procedure did not strongly influence the parameters and properties studied.
