The effect of asparaginase on acrylamide formation in French fries

Acrylamide formation in French fries was investigated in relation to blanching and asparaginase soaking treatments before final frying. Par-fried potatoes of Bintje variety were prepared by cutting strips (0.8 × 0.8 × 5 cm) which were blanched at 75 °C for 10 min. Unblanched strips were used as the control. Control or blanched strips were then dried at 85 °C for 10 min and immediately partially fried at 175 °C for 1 min. Finally, frozen par-fried potatoes were fried at 175 °C for 3 min to obtain French fries. Pre-drying of raw or blanched potato strips did not generate acrylamide formation as expected. Partial frying of pre-dried control potato strips generated 370 μg/kg of acrylamide and the final frying determined French fries with 2075 μg/kg of acrylamide. When control potato strips were treated with a 10000 ASNU/l asparaginase solution at 40 °C for 20 min, the acrylamide formation in French fries was reduced by 30%. When blanched potato strips were treated in the same way, the produced French fries have 60% less acrylamide content than blanched strips without the enzyme treatment. Soaking of blanched potato strips (75 °C, 10 min) in an 10000 ASNU/l asparaginase solution at 40 °C for 20 min is an effective way to reduce acrylamide formation after frying by reducing the amount of one of its important precursors such as asparagine.     

ANALYSIS AND FORMATION OF ACRYLAMIDE IN FRENCH FRIES AND CHICKEN LEGS DURING FRYING

The analysis and formation of acrylamide in French fries and chicken legs during frying were studied. Results showed that the most appropriate extraction solvent was ethyl acetate, with C‐18 cartridge for purification and 5‐mL deionized water as elution solvent. Dibromination of acrylamide followed by dehydrobromination to 2‐bromopropionamide in the presence of triethylamine was necessary for subsequent analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The most appropriate temperature programming condition was as follows: 70C in the beginning, raised to 150C at a rate of 10C/min, maintained for 1 min and to 240C at a rate of 30C/min, maintained for 5 min. Detection was carried out using selected‐ion monitoring mode, and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide was used as internal standard for quantification. French fries and the outer flour portion of chicken legs fried at 180C generated a higher level of acrylamide than at 160C. Compared to soybean oil and palm oil, a lower amount of acrylamide was produced in French fries and the outer flour portion of chicken legs fried in lard. However, no acrylamide was detected in the inner meat portion of fried chicken legs.     

Effect of Microwave Frying on Acrylamide Generation,Mass Transfer,Color, and Texture in French Fries

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of microwave power on acrylamide generation, as well as moisture and oil fluxes and quality attributes of microwave-fried potatoes. Concretely, 25 g of potato strips, in 250 mL of fresh oil (at room temperature), were subjected to three different microwave powers (315, 430, and 600 W) in a conventional microwave oven. Microwave frying resulted in an acrylamide reduction ranged from 37 to 83% compared to deep-oil frying. Microwave-fried French fries presented lower moisture and higher fat content than deep-oil fried potatoes. Concretely, microwave-fried potatoes presented values of moisture and texture more similar to potato chips than French fries, nonetheless with lower fat levels (less than 20 g/100 g wb) and acrylamide content (lower than 100 μg/kg wb) at the reference time. This study presents an alternative way of frying to address the production of healthier potato chips.     

Effect of microwave pre-thawing of frozen potato strips on acrylamide level and quality of French fries

The objective of this study was to reduce frying time, and hence acrylamide level of French fries by microwave pre-thawing of frozen potato strips. Effect of this pre-treatment on acrylamide content and quality attributes of French fries was determined. Frozen par-fried potato strips (8.5 × 8.5 × 70 mm) were thawed in a microwave oven prior to final frying in sunflower oil at 170, 180, and 190 °C. Potato strips that were final fried without pre-thawing were considered as the control. Acrylamide analysis was performed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method. Microwave pre-thawing of frozen strips reduced the acrylamide level of French fries by 10% (from 17.7 to 15.9 ng/g), 89% (from 72.1 to 8.0 ng/g), and 64% (from 50.5 to 18.4 ng/g) for frying at 170, 180, and 190 °C, respectively, in comparison to the control samples. Quality attributes (texture, color, and oil content) of pre-treated strips were found to be comparable to those of the control.     

Reduction of acrylamide formation in French fries by microwave pre‐cooking of potato strips

In this study, the effect of microwave pre‐cooking of potato strips on the resultant acrylamide levels in French fries was investigated. Control and microwaved (10, 20, and 30 s at 850 W) samples were fried at 150, 170 and 190 °C for predetermined times. Surface and core temperatures of potato strips were acquired during frying, and acrylamide content in the surface and the core regions were determined separately. The results showed that microwave application prior to frying resulted in a marked reduction of acrylamide level in the surface region, whereas a slight increase was noted for the core region. When the potato strips were subjected to frying after a microwave pre‐cooking step, acrylamide content in the whole potato strip was reduced by 36%, 41%, and 60% for frying at 150, 170, and 190 °C, respectively, in comparison to the control. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

油炸马铃薯食品中发现丙烯酰胺的研究近况

对油炸或焙烤马铃薯食品中的丙烯酰胺含量、食品中丙烯酰胺含量的分析方法、丙烯酰胺毒性问题的最新研究结果进行了综述。现有研究结果表明 ,炸薯片、炸薯条中含有较高含量的丙烯酰胺 ,过度油炸会进一步增加薯条中的丙烯酰胺含量 ,而相应的生马铃薯原料与煮熟马铃薯中则不含丙烯酰胺。食品中丙烯酰胺含量的分析方法目前采用气相色谱 -质谱法 (GC MS)与液相色谱 串联质谱联用新技术 (LC/MS/MS) ,但食品中丙烯酰胺含量的分析方法、丙烯酰胺的毒理学研究仍在进一步发展中。     

Acrylamide Mitigation in Potato Chips by Using NaCl

In April 2002, Swedish researchers shocked the world when they presented preliminary findings on the presence of acrylamide in fried and baked foods, most notably potato chips and French fries, at levels of 30–2,300 ppb. The objective of this research was to study the effect of immersing potato slices in a NaCl solution over the acrylamide formation in the resultant potato chips. Potato slices (Verdi variety, diameter 40 mm, width 2.0 mm) were fried at 170 °C for 5 min (final moisture content of ∼2.0%). Prior to frying, the potato slices were treated in one of the following ways: (1) control slices (unblanched or raw potato slices); (2) slices blanched at 90 °C for 5 min in water; (3) slices blanched at 90 °C for 5 min plus immersed in a 1 g/100 g NaCl solution at 25 °C for 5 min; (4) slices blanched at 90 °C for 5 min plus immersed in a 3 g/100 g NaCl solution at 25 °C for 5 min; (5) slices blanched at 90 °C for 5 min plus immersed in distilled water at 25 °C for 5 min; and (6) slices blanched at 90 °C for 5 min in a 3 g/100 g NaCl solution. Blanching followed by the immersion of potato slices in 1 g/100 g NaCl solution was effective in reducing acrylamide content in ∼62%; however, almost half of this percentage (∼27%) could be attributed to the effect of NaCl and 35% to the effect of the slight heating treatment during salt immersion step (25 °C for 5 min). Blanching seems to make the NaCl diffusion in potato tissue easier leading to a significant acrylamide reduction in the potato slices after frying.     

Effects of combined pulsed electric field and blanching pretreatment on the physiochemical properties of French fries

The aim of this work was to explore the effect of combining pulsed electric field (PEF) with blanching pretreatment on the physiochemical properties of French fries. The effects of PEF plus blanching pretreatment on the color parameters, texture, content and spatial distribution of moisture and oil, microstructure, colony count and acrylamide content of French fries were investigated. Results showed that the pretreated French fries were brighter (L value was 60.44) and golden yellow, with lower hardness (312.27 g), higher springiness (0.81) and higher chewiness (119.71). In addition, moisture and oil contents of the fries were reduced, with more uniform distributions. The cross-section microstructure of these French fries also showed near-complete gelatinization of starch particles, and the internal structure of fries was fluffy. Finally, French fries obtained by the combined pretreatment had an improved food safety profile, with a lower colony count (13 CFU/g) and acrylamide content (1533.75 ng/g).Industrial relevanceBlanching is a traditional thermal processing technology widely used in the field of fried potatoes. However, blanching has some disadvantages such as slow heat conduction, long processing time, substantial loss of soluble nutrients, and huge water wastage. PEF is an emerging technology in the 21st century that can maintain the original flavor, color, taste, and nutritional value of foods treated by it. The French fries obtained by combining PEF and blanching pretreatment were brighter and golden yellow, and were also softer, and more springy and chewy – an overall net improvement in aesthetic appeal and organoleptic profile. The above findings may provide useful information to guide effective strategies for the practical application of PEF combined with blanching in the preparation of fried potato foods.     

Reduction of acrylamide formation in potato slices during frying

Reduction of acrylamide formation in potato chips was investigated in relation to frying temperature and three treatments before frying. Potato slices (Tivoli variety, diameter: 37 mm, width: 2.2 mm) were fried at 150°C, 170°C and 190°C until reaching moisture contents of ∼1.7 g water/100 g (total basis). Prior to frying, potato slices were treated in one of the following ways: (i) soaked in distilled water for 0 min (control), 40 min and 90 min; (ii) blanched in hot water at six different time-temperature combinations (50°C for 30 and 70 min; 70°C for 8 and 40 min; 90°C for 2 and 9 min); (iii) immersed in citric acid solutions of different concentrations (10 and 20 g/l) for half an hour. Glucose and asparagine concentration was determined in potato slices before frying, whereas acrylamide content was determined in the resultant fried potato chips. Glucose content decreased in ∼32% in potato slices soaked 90 min in distilled water. Soaked slices showed on average a reduction of acrylamide formation of 27%, 38% and 20% at 150°C, 170°C and 190°C, respectively, when they were compared against the control. Blanching reduced on average 76% and 68% of the glucose and asparagine content compared to the control. Potato slices blanched at 50°C for 70 min surprisingly had a very low acrylamide content (28 μm/kg) even when they were fried at 190°C. Potato immersion in citric acid solutions of 10 and 20 g/l reduced acrylamide formation by almost 70% for slices fried at 150°C. For the three pre-treatments studied, acrylamide formation increased dramatically as the frying temperature increased from 150°C to 190°C.     

QUALITY COMPARISON OF FRENCH FRY STYLE POTATOES PRODUCED BY OVEN HEATING, IMMERSION FRYING AND CONTROLLED DYNAMIC RADIANT HEATING

The effect of finish heating method (oven heating, immersion frying and controlled dynamic radiant (CDR) heating) on mechanical properties, color and sensory properties of par‐fried French fries was evaluated. Peak breaking force was highest for CDR‐heated French fries. An equivalent b value (yellowness) for the crust of immersion‐fried and CDR‐heated French fries was found by using color analysis. Sensory evaluation indicated overall acceptability of CDR‐heated French fries equivalent to immersion fried‐French fried potatoes. Finish heating of par‐fried French fries using CDR heating showed promise to produce a reduced‐fat fried product, as well as an alternative process to traditional immersion finish frying.     

A Novel Technique for Limitation of Acrylamide Formation in Fried and Baked Corn Chips and in French Fries

ABSTRACT: The effects of lowering pH by an acidulant (citric acid) on the formation of acrylamide in fried and baked corn chips and in french fries were studied by using a GC/MS. The 0.2% citric acid treatments induced 82.2% and 72.8% inhibition of acrylamide formation in fried and baked corn chips, respectively. Dipping potato cuts in 1% and 2% citric acid solutions for 1 h before frying showed 73.1% and 79.7% inhibition of acrylamide formation in french fries. In the experiment of heating 1 mL solution containing asparagine and glucose in phosphate buffers, by lowering the pH from 7.0 to 4.0, 99.1% inhibition of acrylamide formation was achieved. This is the first finding of an effective, simple, and practical way to limit the acrylamide formation in real foods.     

Development and experimental validation of a frying model to estimate acrylamide levels in French fries

ABSTRACT:  In this study, a numerical model was developed to simulate frying of potato strips and estimate acrylamide levels in French fries. Heat and mass transfer parameters determined during frying of potato strips and the formation and degradation kinetic parameters of acrylamide obtained with a sugar–asparagine model system were incorporated within the model. The effect of reducing sugar content (0.3 to 2.15 g/100 g dry matter), strip thickness (8.5 × 8.5 mm and 10 × 10 mm), and frying time (3, 4, 5, and 6 min) and temperature (150, 170, and 190 °C) on resultant acrylamide level in French fries was investigated both numerically and experimentally. The model appeared to closely estimate the acrylamide contents, and thereby may potentially save considerable time, money, and effort during the stages of process design and optimization.     

Influence of deep-frying using various commercial oils on acrylamide formation in French fries

This study investigated the effect of different types of commercial oils (rice bran oil, shortening oil, high-oleic rapeseed oil, low-erucic acid rapeseed oil, blend oil A and blend oil B) and frying cycles on acrylamide formation during the preparation of French fries by deep-frying. Frying was carried out in intermittent mode (two batches each for 12 min without any time lag) and repeated for 600 frying cycles. Results indicated that the French fries that were fried in oils having lower heat transfer coefficients contained lower acrylamide concentrations (913 µg kg^–1), whereas those fried with oils having higher heat transfer coefficients contained higher acrylamide concentrations (1219 µg kg^–1). Unlike the peroxide value, acrylamide levels in French fries did not change significantly with an increase in the number of frying cycles when tested for 600 frying cycles for every type of oil. This study clearly indicates that the contribution of frying oils to the formation of acrylamide should not be neglected due to their different heat transfer coefficients. On the other hand, continuous use of frying oil does not lead to a higher acrylamide concentration in French fries.     

Reduction of acrylamide formation by vanadium salt in potato French fries and chips

The effects of vanadyl sulphate on the formation of acrylamide have been studied in fried potato products, such as French fries and chips. Acrylamide formation was inhibited by 30.3%, 53.3% and 89.3% when the sliced potato strips were soaked in 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 M vanadyl sulphate (VOSO₄) solutions, respectively, for 60 min before frying. Moreover, 57.7%, 71.4% and 92.5% inhibition of acrylamide formation was observed when chips were soaked in the respective vanadyl sulphate solution before frying. In a separate model reaction, a solution containing an equimolar concentration of l-asparagine and d-glucose showed a significant inhibition of acrylamide formation when heated at 150 °C for 30 min in the presence of vanadyl sulphate (VOSO₄). The results indicate that the binding of VO²⁺ to asparagine and the decrease in the pH of the potato samples resulted in a significant reduction of acrylamide formation in fried potato products.     

Growth of Bacillus cereus on Oil-blanched Potato Strips for "Home-style" French Fries

Fresh cut, oil blanched strips from whole potatoes stored at 7 or 13 °C were inoculated with approximately 3 or 5 log CFU/g Bacillus cereus and incubated at 21 or 26.7 °C for up to 9 h to model handling of "home-style" French fries. Whole potato storage at 13 °C and incubation at 26.7 °C resulted in faster growth than 7 or 21 °C. Frying (2 to 3.5 min at 185 °C) inactivated up to 5.1 log B. cereus spores. Oil blanched potato strips for "home-style" French fries should be stored at £ 21 °C or finish fried or discarded within 3 to 4 h.     

The effects of low‐temperature potato storage and washing and soaking pre‐treatments on the acrylamide content of French fries

BACKGROUND: Since the discovery in 2002 of acrylamide in a wide range of foods, there has been much work done to explore mechanisms of formation and to reduce acrylamide in commercial products. This study aimed to investigate simple measures which could be used to reduce acrylamide formation in home‐cooked French fries, using potatoes from three cultivars stored under controlled conditions and sampled at three time points. RESULTS: The reducing sugar content for all three cultivars increased during storage, which led to increased acrylamide levels in the French fries. Washing and soaking (30 min or 2 h) raw French fries before cooking led to reductions in acrylamide of up to 23, 38 and 48% respectively. Pre‐treated fries were lighter in colour after cooking than the corresponding controls. CONCLUSION: Pre‐treatments such as soaking or washing raw French fries in water reduce acrylamide and colour formation in the final product when cooking is stopped at a texture‐determined endpoint. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Legal limit for reducing sugars in prefabricates targeting 50 μg/kg acrylamide in French fries

A legal limit for the reducing sugars in the prefabricates for French fries is a simple and efficient measure to reduce the exposure to acrylamide from the predominant source for many consumers. The acrylamide content of French fries of comparable crispiness is approximately proportional to the concentration of the reducing sugars glucose and fructose in the potato sticks. On average, optimally prepared French fries from prefabricates with a (moderately low) sugar content of 0.3 g/kg contained 32 g/kg acrylamide. With 0.15 g/kg reducing sugar even severe overfrying at 170 °C only resulted in 90 g/kg acrylamide, i.e. a low sugar content keeps acrylamide low even under inappropriate frying conditions. In the prefabricates, the sugar content is about 10% lower than in the raw potato (resulting from the effects of blanching and prefrying). It is similar to that in the finished French fries, which enables one to distinguish whether a high acrylamide content in French fries results from high sugars in the raw material or unsuitable frying conditions. An average concentration of 50 g/kg acrylamide in French fries could be targeted by limiting the reducing sugars in the prefabricates to 0.7 g/kg and the frying temperature to 170 °C. Even considerable overfrying in terms of duration can be tolerated then.     

French fries with less than 100 μg/kg acrylamide. A collaboration between cooks and analysts

In collaboration with cooking experts, the preparation of French fries in oil and in ovens was optimized, aiming at optimum culinary quality combined with a minimum acrylamide content. French fries with 40–70 g/kg acrylamide were consistently produced, i.e. with 5–10 times less acrylamide than currently normal. The raw potato should contain little reducing sugars, i.e. be of a suitable cultivar, and storage at temperatures below about 10 °C must be avoided. After cutting and elimination of the fines, the potato is immersed in standing cold or boiler-warm water for some 15 min in order to extract asparagine and sugars from the surface without washing out the starch. Pre-frying in oil (ca. 140 °C for 2.5 min) improves crispiness. Frying should occur at an initial oil temperature of about 170 °C, adding some 100 g potato/l oil. Since acrylamide formation increases exponentially towards the end of the process, the most important factor to keep acrylamide contents low is the determination of the proper end point of the frying process. French fries should be crispy with slight browning of the tips to achieve the typical flavor, but without general browning. Preparation in the oven, starting from frozen prefabricates, requires temperatures of around 190 °C or 220 °C, depending on whether or not the air is circulated. The proper determination of the end point is again the most critical step.     

Effect of frying time on acrylamide content and quality aspects of French fries

The effect of frying time on quality and acrylamide (AA) content of French fried potatoes, obtained simulating home-cooking practices, was studied in order to investigate the optimal conditions to minimize the amount of produced toxicant together with the maintenance of good culinary quality. French fries were obtained from fresh potatoes using a domestic fryer with static basket; a 4:1 oil:product ratio and a fixed initial oil temperature of 180 °C were used. Several batches were fried at different times (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 min). During frying tests the oil, the sticks surface and core temperatures were measured by thermocouples. Analysis of water removal, oil uptake, colour, texture and AA content were carried out on fried final products. AA content increased exponentially increasing the frying time. In our working conditions after around 4 min of frying, when the temperature of potato surface and the oil bath reached, respectively, 120 and 140 °C, the increase of time became a key factor in terms of the quantity of AA and its formation rate. On the basis of colour, oil content and AA level the best culinary product was obtained after 5 min of frying.     

Brown potato croquettes low in acrylamide by coating with egg/breadcrumbs

Potato croquettes are preparations of mashed potato or potato powder with milk powder or egg, fried in oil or baked in the oven. Product identity calls for fairly strong browning, which may cause high acrylamide contents. Prefabricates from the Swiss market resulted in products of intermediate acrylamide content (50–570 µg/kg), strongly depending on frying conditions. The potential of acrylamide formation of these products was modest, since the potato powder used was low in reducing sugars and asparagine. Defatted milk powder increased the 120 °C potential by 200–700 µg/kg (lactose), whereas egg was approximately neutral. Coating with egg/breadcrumbs resulted in stronger browning and at the same time in reduced acrylamide formation. It shields the potato from the heat by a material the browning of which is not linked with acrylamide formation. Croquettes prepared from fresh potato confirmed that coating with egg/breadcrumbs improves the product quality while strongly decreasing the acrylamide content.