Citrus peel has been reported to contain bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and carotenoids. A comparison of the quality and quantity of materials produced by extraction and spray drying of different citrus peels (orange, lemon, lime, and mandarin) has been conducted. The average total phenolic contents (TPC) of all citrus peel extracts were between 4.9 and 6.9 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g fresh weight (FW) citrus peels. Lime peel extract showed the highest antioxidant content (TPC of 6.9 mg GAE/g FW peel and SC50 of 740 mu g/mL) and the lowest TPC recovery after spray drying (84%) compared with other types of peel extract. Regarding the yield (or solids recovery) from spray drying, lemon and mandarin peel extracts were found to be the most difficult to spray dry (yields/recoveries of 78% and 73%, respectively). The differences in composition, such as citric acid and sugars contents, may explain some of the differences between the spray drying yields of the extracts. (C) 2015 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.