Quality characteristics of vacuum-fried snacks prepared from various sweet potato cultivars

The effects of vacuum frying and atmospheric frying on the physicochemical properties and quality characteristics of the deep-fat-fried snacks were compared in manufacturing snacks using general, yellow-fleshed, and purple-fleshed sweet potatoes. Regarding the moisture and lipid content of snacks, vacuum-fried snacks showed about 50% lower values compared to atmospheric-fried snacks, while for the colors, vacuum-fried snacks showed higher L and b values and a slightly lower a value, with almost no difference in the texture, compared to atmospheric-fried snacks. The total carotenoid and anthocyanin contents of snacks were decreased greatly compared to fresh sweet potatoes, and was considerably higher in vacuum-fried snacks compared to atmospheric-fried snacks. For the sensory evaluation of snacks, the acceptability for color and flavor was higher in the vacuum-fried snacks, while the acceptability for texture was higher in atmospheric-fried snacks due to a higher degree of crispiness. In conclusion, it is considered that the vacuum frying in manufacturing sweet potato snacks, compared to the atmospheric frying, is the appropriate deep-fat frying method for modern people who take excessive fats and oils from foods and are highly interested in health and high quality products.