Physical and thermal properties of potato chips during vacuum frying

Vacuum frying (1.33 kPa), with the aid of a de-oiling mechanism, was used to produce low-fat potato chips.The kinetics of oil absorption and oil distribution in the potato chips was studied so that effectiveness of the de-oiling system could be established. Non-linear regression was used to fit the experimental data to the models used to describe oil absorption in potato chips with time.Moisture content, oil content, microstructure, diameter and thickness expansion, bulk density, true density, and porosity of chips fried at different temperatures (120, 130, and 140 °C) was performed to evaluate the effect of process temperature on the product. The convective heat transfer coefficient at the oil-chip interface was determined for the same temperature range.The final oil content of the potato chips was 0.072 ± 0.004, 0.062 ± 0.003, and 0.059 ± 0.003 g/g solid for frying temperatures of 120, 130, and 140 °C, respectively. These values are lower (80-87% less) than those found in the not de-oiled potato chips, which indicates that the de-oiling mechanism is crucial in vacuum frying processing. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in oil content and oil distribution within temperatures. The rate of change in product quality attributes was greatly affected by temperature; however, the final values of moisture content, bulk density, true density, porosity, diameter shrinkage, and thickness expansion were not affected by temperature.During vacuum frying, the convective heat transfer coefficient changed considerably as frying progressed; moreover, it increased with temperature reaching a maximum between 2200 and 2650 W/m² K depending on frying temperature.     

Using hydrocolloids to decrease oil absorption in banana chips

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of hydrocolloids (alginate, CMC and pectin) on the oil absorption in fried banana chips. The control banana chips (no hydrocolloid treatment) had oil content as high as 40 g/100 g sample, whereas the sample blanched in 0.5 g CaCl₂/100 ml water and following with immersion in 1 g alginate/100 ml water exhibited a small decrease of oil uptake (p ≤ 0.05) to 38 g/100 g sample. The others which treated with 0.5 g CaCl₂/100 ml and 1 g pectin/100 ml water, and with 0.25 g CaCl₂/100 ml water and 1 g CMC/100 ml water absorbed much less oil (p ≤ 0.05), approximately 23 g/100 g sample. Besides, pectin-treated chips had higher sensory scores in all attributed than CMC-treated sample. These resulted showed that pectin was the most effective hydrocolloid for low fat fried banana chip production. Scanning electron microscope photographs indicted that coating banana chips with pectin was effective in protecting the cellular structure of the banana tissue from damage during deep-fat frying.     

降低油炸菠萝蜜片含油率的研究

对油炸菠萝蜜片含油率的影响因素进行实验。结果表明,减少菠萝蜜片含油率最佳工艺参数为果肉包切分2瓣、羧甲基纤维钠用量0.3%、脱油离心机转速400r/min。     

Osmotic pre-treatment effect on fat intake reduction and eating quality of deep-fried plantain

The relationship between compositional changes during frying and an osmotic dehydration step before frying is described, including and explanation of their effects on eating quality of plantain chips. Three solutions were used to soak plantain slices (glucose, salt (NaCl) and glucose + salt) prior to deep-frying (170 °C). The temperature, moisture and fat changes during the frying were monitored, and the quality attributes and physicochemical properties were also determined. The osmotic pre-treatments had significant effects on most parameters of plantain chips. In general, treatments decreased oil intake, moisture content, and total volume and also reduced frying time, while the colour, rancidity, crispiness and sensory evaluation increased after 5 min of frying. However, a negative effect on high temperature induced colour development was observed for some of the treatments. Rancidity induction times were significantly higher for pre-treated samples, which is probably related to lower oil content, shorter frying times and lower water content.     

Vacuum frying of high-quality fruit and vegetable-based snacks

Sweet potato, green beans, Tommy Atkins mango, and blue potato were fried in a vacuum frying process at a temperature of 120-130 ± 1°C. Before frying, green beans and mango slices were soaked in a 50% maltodextrine 0.15% citric acid solution. The products were also fried in a traditional (atmospheric pressure) fryer at 160-165 ± 1°C for 4 min. A 30-member consumer panel rated the sensory quality of both types of fried snacks using a 1-9 hedonic scale. Compared with traditional frying, oil content of vacuum-fried sweet-potato chips and green beans was 24% and 16% lower, respectively. Blue potato and mango chips had 6% and 5% more oil, respectively, than the traditional-fried samples. Anthocyanin (mg/100 g d.b.) of vacuum-fried blue potato chips was 60% higher. Final total carotenoids (mg/g d.b.) were higher by 18% for green beans, 19% for mango chips, and by 51% for sweet-potato chips. Sensory panelists overwhelmingly preferred (p < 0.05) the vacuum-fried products for color, texture, taste, and overall quality. Most of the products retained or accentuated their original colors when fried under vacuum. The traditional-fried products showed excessive darkening and scorching. These results support the applicability of vacuum frying technology to provide high-quality fruit and vegetable snacks.     

Comparative study of physical and sensory properties of pre-treated potato slices during vacuum and atmospheric frying

The objective of this research was to study the effect of different processing conditions on physical and sensory properties of potato chips. Potato slices of Desirée and Panda varieties (diameter: 30 mm; thickness: 3 mm) were pre-treated in the following ways: (i) control or unblanched slices without pre-drying; (ii) blanched slices in hot water at 85 °C for 3.5 min and air-dried at 60 °C until a final moisture content of ∼0.6 kg water/kg dry solid; (iii) control slices soaked in a 3.5 kg/m³ sodium metabisulphite solution at 20 °C for 3 min and pH adjusted to 3. Pre-treated slices were fried at 120 and 140 °C under vacuum conditions (5.37 kPa, absolute pressure) and under atmospheric pressure until they reached a final moisture content of ∼1.8 kg water/100 kg (wet basis). An experimental design (3 × 2³) was used to analyze the effect of pre-treatment, potato variety, type of frying and frying temperature over the following responses: oil content, instrumental color and texture and sensory evaluation. Vacuum frying increased significantly (p < 0.05) oil content and decreased instrumental color and textural parameters. Sensory attributes, flavor quality and overall quality, were significantly improved using vacuum frying. The higher frying temperature (140 °C) increased ΔE, maximum breaking force, hardness and crispness and decreased L^* and b^* values. On the other hand, Panda potato variety improved the color of the product. A great improvement on color parameters was obtained using sulphited potato slices instead of the other pre-treatments. Although, the better flavor was obtained for control potato chips, no significant differences were found for overall quality between control and sulphited potato chips. Significant correlations (p < 0.01) between sensory and instrumental responses were found.     

Acrylamide content in fried chips prepared from irradiated and non-irradiated stored potatoes

The content of reducing sugars and asparagine, responsible for the formation of acrylamide, was determined in eight Indian potato varieties. Among these, Kufri chipsona-2 and Kufri lavkar showed the lowest level of reducing sugar (680.68 ± 56.50 mg/kg) and asparagine (2074.36 ± 122.27 mg/kg), respectively. The acrylamide content in potato chips prepared from Kufri chipsona-2, the variety that is used commercially in India for making potato chips was also the lowest. Irradiation of this variety of potatoes at the sprout inhibition dose of 60 Gy and subsequent storage for six months showed a 10.7% lower content of reducing sugars at both 14 and 4 °C. The acrylamide content was 8.41% and 6.95% lower in chips from irradiated potatoes stored at 14 and 4 °C than the corresponding non-irradiated controls. The colour of the chips was also better in irradiated potatoes as judged from the L∗ and a∗ values.     

Modeling water loss and oil uptake during vacuum frying of pre-treated potato slices

The objective of this research was to determine the kinetics of water loss and oil uptake during frying of pre-treated potato slices under vacuum and atmospheric pressure. Potato slices (diameter: 30 mm; width: 3 mm) were pre-treated in the following ways: (i) raw potato slices “control”; (ii) control slices were blanched in hot water at 85 °C for 3.5 min; (iii) blanched slices were dried in hot air until reaching a moisture content of ∼0.6 g water/g dry basis. The slices were fried under vacuum (5.37 kPa, absolute pressure, at 120, 130 and 140 °C) and atmospheric conditions (at 180 °C). Two models based on the Fick's law were used to describe water loss: (i) with a constant effective diffusive coefficient; and (ii) with a variable effective diffusive coefficient. Oil uptake data were fitted to an empirical model, with a linear behavior for short times whereas the model was time independent for long times. The variable diffusivity model better fitted experimental water loss, giving values of effective diffusivity between 4.73 × 10⁻⁹ and 1.80 × 10⁻⁸ m²/s. The proposed model for the study of the kinetics of oil uptake fitted the experimental data properly. Control and blanched vacuum fried potato chips increased their final oil contents to 57.1% and 75.4% respectively, when compared with those fried at atmospheric pressure. However, the oil absorption of dried vacuum fried potato chips diminished by ∼30%.     

Determination of acrylamide in potato chips by a reversed-phase LC–MS method based on a stable isotope dilution assay

Potato-based products represent an important part of the daily intake of food-derived acrylamide, mainly on adolescent population from western countries. A reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based on a stable isotope dilution assay was used for acrylamide analysis. Aqueous sample extraction, cleaning with Carrez solution and solid phase extraction with methanol was applied. The ratio potato/NaCl solution is critical during extraction where the optimum ratio is 0.125 g/ml NaCl 2 M solution. The use of virgin olive oil, as retaining matrix, during methanol desiccation was critical to achieve high recoveries. The method performance was validated for limit of detection (23.2 μg/kg) and quantitation (91.8 μg/kg), linearity (r > 0.999, 25–1000 μg/kg), recovery (98.8%). The method was applied on commercial potato chips; the intra-day repeatability was set at 3.9% and values were corrected with a labeled internal standard (¹³C₃-acrylamide). No significant differences on the acrylamide content were observed between industrial-scale and local-scale processed potato chips.     

Characterization of microwave vacuum-dried durian chips

Durian CV. Monthong was subjected to microwave vacuum drying (at 13.33 kPa) to produce durian chips. Various levels of microwave power (3.88 W g⁻¹, 5.49 W g⁻¹ and 7.23 W g⁻¹) were used. Prior to the microwave vacuum drying, the sliced durian was either chilled at 4 °C or frozen at −18 °C. Both pretreatments yielded non-significant difference in dissipation factor (p > 0.05). Among several thin layer models, the Page model was found to be the best for explaining the drying characteristics of durian chips. An increase in the microwave power intensity produced a clear increase in the drying rate and did not affect lightness and yellowness of the durian chips (p > 0.05). The structure and hardness of the dried durian chips were comparable to that of conventionally fried durian chips. In addition, microwave vacuum drying reduced the fat content of the durian chips by at least 90%, compared with conventionally deep fried durian chips.     

低温真空油炸薯片生产工艺及其贮藏条件的研究

对马铃薯片进行低温真空油炸生产工艺的基础性研究,分析薯片在贮藏过程中水分、脂肪和VC含量的变化,并探讨等温吸湿规律。通过单因素试验确定最优的油炸工艺参数为温度105℃,时间20min,真空度0.090MPa;离心脱油的最佳条件为脱油转速400～500r/min,时间5～7min,真空度0.090MPa。研究结果对低温真空油炸薯片技术具有很好的指导和促进作用,同时改善了现在油炸薯片的品质和提高了能源利用率。     

Volume and density of whole soybean products during hot-air thermal treatment in fluidised bed

Soybeans contribute to healthy nutrition because of the high proportion and quality of proteins. Its oil content is considerably lower than in peanuts, restricting energy intake. To produce a whole soybean snack, four type of samples were processed by first increasing the water content and then reducing it by hot-air fluidisation: moistened-dried at 60 °C (MD), soaked-dried at 60 °C (SD), soaked and dried-toasted at 140 °C (SDT) and soaked-cooked and dried-toasted at 140 °C (SCDT). A semi-theoretical model was proposed to describe volume and density as a function of moisture during fluidisation. An equilibrium shrinkage coefficient a was determined. Volume expansion achieved by increasing the moisture content was not totally lost during fluidisation, allowing for lighter products, whose density decreased with the reduction in moisture. As the overall treatment was more severe (SCDT > SDT > SD > MD), shrinkage coefficients increased, up to 0.75. The SCDT sample became crispy and glassy after cooling.     

Changes occurring in phenolic content,tocopherol composition and oxidative stability of Camelina sativa oil during storage

Changes occurring during storage in the content of polar phenolic compounds, the composition of tocopherols (T), the presence of primary and secondary oxidative products and titratable acidity in oil obtained from the seeds of Camelina sativa were studied. In fresh oil the content of polar phenolic compounds amounted to 128 mg/kg (expressed as chlorogenic acid), the content of α-T was (41 ± 8) mg/kg, of γ-T (710 ± 19) mg/kg and of δ-T (12 ± 3) mg/kg. β-T and tocotrienols were not detected. In oil stored at 50 °C the concentration of total tocopherols decreased to a value of (440 ± 13) mg/kg in 15 days. In that time the content of polar phenolic compounds in the oil stored at 50 °C was reduced to 72% of its initial value. The content of polar phenolic compounds in oil stored at 65 °C for 15 days was reduced to 21% of its initial value. The content of polar phenolic compounds in the C. sativa oil investigated decreased linearly with peroxide value and with p-anisidine value. The antioxidative activity of polar phenolic compounds extracted from camelina oil was also elucidated. Analysis revealed that the phenolic extract obtained from camelina oil added to a model lipid system for a certain time significantly retarded the process of autooxidation.     

Antioxidant effect of oregano (Lippia berlandieri v. Shauer) essential oil and mother liquors

The conventional steam distillation process for oregano (Lippia berlandieri v. Shauer) essential oil extraction produces large volumes of mother liquor. This residual liquid represents a potential value because the soluble antioxidants it contains. Essential oil and ethyl acetate mother liquor extracts (MLEs) were evaluated for antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activities by the 2-2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, by the deoxyribose degradation assay, and by oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) with CuSO₄ were evaluated. Oil yield was 4.34%. Total phenolic content was 151 ± 2.00 and 150.5 ± 0.98 mg of GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/mL for the essential oil and MLEs, respectively. DPPH assay showed a low radical scavenging activity (RSA) for oregano essential oil. Meanwhile MLEs exhibited no significant RSA at low concentrations, but at higher concentrations (100 μg/mL), it was superior to those exhibited by the controls ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Deoxy-d-ribose assay results for both essential oil and MLEs showed a good hydroxyl radical RSA at the concentrations tested. Essential oil and MLEs delayed induction time effectively. Solubility problems, chemical constituents, and their hydrophilic–lipophilic distribution are key factors that explain samples behavior for an eventual use of these natural products.     

The in vitro antioxidant activity of lotus germ oil from supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction

The in vitro antioxidant activity of lotus germ oil extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has been investigated. The distinctly high total phenolic compounds content and tocopherol content in lotus germ oil composition were found to be 9.06 ± 0.11% and 485.1 ± 50 mg/100 g, respectively. The lotus germ oil exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the hydroxyl free radical and superoxide anion free radical. However, the scavenging effects on the superoxide anion free radical were deceased when the extract concentration was greater than 70 mg/mL. Lotus germ oil showed substantial antioxidant activity in the mice liver and kidney tissues homogenates in a dose-dependent manner. The auto-haemolysis of mice red blood cells was also blocked by lotus germ oil in a dose-dependent manner. Lotus germ oil showed a higher antioxidant activity in the lard system. The high content of phenolic compounds and tocopherol in the lotus germ oil could partially account for the antioxidant activity. These results suggest the lotus germ oil can be used as healthcare oil to develop.     

Optimization of processing conditions to reduce oil uptake and enhance physico-chemical properties of deep fried rice crackers

Physico-chemical properties of fried rice crackers were studied as a function of fish powder content, processing conditions, frying temperature and frying time. The results showed that addition of fish powder content at 5, 10 and 15 g/100 g reduced the oil uptake by approximately 10, 14 and 22 g/100 g (db), respectively in comparison to the control without fish powder. The deep fried rice crackers mixed with fish powder tended to be lower in hardness, lower in expansion ratio and higher in bulk density in comparison to the control sample. The color parameter, L^∗ of fried rice crackers decreased with increase in fish powder content. In contrast, a^∗ and b^∗ values increased with increase in fish powder content. The moisture content of deep fried rice crackers decreased with increase in frying temperature and frying time. The oil uptake in fried rice crackers increased with increase in frying time but decreased with increase in frying temperature. With increase in frying temperature and time, the texture of rice crackers became harder, the bulk density increased, and the expansion ratio decreased. The optimum conditions resulting in desirable physico-chemical properties and minimum oil uptake were rice crackers with fish powder content of 9 g/100 g, fried at a temperature of 220 °C for 60 s.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of minor components of vegetable oils: β-Sitosterol

The extracts of valuable vegetable oils containing a number of minor components (sterols, tocopherols, carotenoids, etc.) have added value as pharmaceuticals and food additives. Beta-sitosterol (BS) as minor component of vegetable oil was extracted from ground seeds of sea buckthorn with supercritical CO₂ at pressures 15-60 MPa and temperatures 40-80 °C. The changes in the BS content in extract in the course of the extraction were evaluated using HPLC and described in terms of phase equilibrium. It was shown that the separation factors used in counter-current fractionation of oils apply also to the initial period of oil extraction from ground seeds. The equilibrium compositions of a model BS + trilinolein + CO₂ mixture were calculated using SRK and PSRK equations of state. The BS to triacylglycerol separation factor, ranging from 1.0 to 3.1, was correlated with CO₂ density.     

Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 viability on hard surfaces by treatment with a bacteriophage mixture

This study determined the effect of a previously characterized phage mixture, referred as BEC8 on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 strains applied on materials typically used in food processing surfaces. Sterile stainless steel chips (SSC), ceramic tile chips (CTC), and high density polyethylene chips (HDPEC) were used. Cultures of EHEC O157:H7 strains EK27, ATCC 43895, and 472 were combined, spot inoculated on surfaces, and dried. Chips were inoculated with 10⁶, 10⁵, and 10⁴CFU/chip, to obtain 1, 10 and 100 multiplicity of infection (MOI) values, respectively. Controls and BEC8 (approx. 10⁶ PFU/chip) were applied on inoculated surfaces and incubated at 4, 12, 23, and 37 °C. EHEC survival was determined using standard plate count on tryptic soy agar. At 37 °C and 12 °C on SSC, no survivors were detected (detection limit 10 CFU/chip) after BEC8 treatment at MOI of 100 after 10 min and at 23 °C after 1 h on SSC. A similar result was obtained on CTC at 37 °C after 10 min, and after 1 h at 23 °C. These results indicated that the phage cocktail was effective within an hour against low levels of the EHEC mixture at above room temperature on all 3 hard surfaces.     

Oxidative and thermal stabilities of genetically modified high oleic sunflower oil

The oxidative and thermal stabilities of genetically modified high oleic sunflower oil (87% oleic acid) were compared with those of regular sunflower (17% oleic acid), soybean, corn, and peanut oils during storage at 55 °C and simulated deep fat frying at 185 °C. Oxidative stability was evaluated by measuring the oxygen content and volatile compounds in the sample bottle headspace and peroxide value. The coefficient variations (CVs) for volatile compound, headspace oxygen, and peroxide value analyses were 2.02%, 1.41%, and 3.18%, respectively. The oxidative stability of high oleic sunflower oil was greater than those of regular sunflower and soybean oil (P < 0.05) and as good as those of corn and peanut oils (P > 0.05). The thermal stabilities of oils during deep fat frying were evaluated by measuring the infrared absorption at 2.9 μm and conjugated diene content. The CV of conjugated diene content was 1.07%. Infrared and conjugated diene results showed that the high oleic sunflower oil had greater thermal stability than had regular sunflower, soybean, corn, and peanut oils (P < 0.05). The genetically modified high oleic sunflower oil, with 5.5% linoleic acid, had better oxidative and thermal stabilities than had the regular sunflower oil with 71.6% linoleic acid.