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.     

French Fries oleuropein content during the successive deep frying in oils enriched with an olive leaf extract

Olive oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil were enriched with an olive (Olea Europaea) leaf extract rich in oleuropein at a supplementation level of 100 mg total phenolics per kg oil. Supplemented oils were used for deep frying of potatoes for eight successive frying sessions without replenishment under domestic frying conditions. Supplemented oils contained oleuropein while deep frying resulted in a gradual decrease in oils oleuropein content. After the eighth successive frying, oleuropein was still detected in oils, its retention being 3.2–12.4%. Deep frying of potatoes in supplemented oils succeeded in preparing French fries containing oleuropein even after eight successive fryings. Contrary to the oil type, the number of frying sessions affected potatoes oleuropein content. Oleuropein intake by consuming French fries deep‐fried in enriched oils was approximately ten times higher in potatoes prepared in the first frying session as compared to the respective intake after the eighth frying.     

The influence of French fries processing on the glycoalkaloid content in coloured-fleshed potatoes

French fries made from coloured-fleshed potatoes may be interesting alternative to the traditional snacks for consumers. However, potatoes contain glycoalkaloids (TGA), so potato tubers and obtained fried snacks should be subjected to comprehensive examination. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different stages of French fries processing on the content of TGA (α-solanine and α-chaconine) in the red- and blue-fleshed potatoes, in semi-products and ready-to-eat products. It was stated that during the processing of French fries prepared from coloured-flesh potato varieties significantly decreased the content of TGA (α-solanine and α-chaconine) in the samples obtained at different stages of the process compared to the raw material. Potatoes with blue-fleshed of Vitelotte variety and red-fleshed of Highland Burgundy Red variety can be used to French fries processing due to their low content of TGA (in unpeeled and peeled potatoes). However, Blue Congo variety with blue-fleshed should not be applied to French fries processing, because of high TGA content in raw material and first of all in peeled potatoes flesh. The peeling process of coloured-fleshed potatoes decreased in TGA content on average by about 50 %, cutting process on average by about 53 %, whereas blanching on average by about 58 % compared with the raw material. The highest decrease in TGA content was caused by frying process. The mean values were about 97.5 % in ready-to-eat French fries. In French fries after I and II steps of frying, the ratio α-solanine to α-chaconine was lower (1.0:2.0) than in unpeeled potatoes (1.0:2.3).     

The influence of frying medium degradation on fat uptake and texture of French fries

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the influence of the degree of degradation of different kinds of oils used as a frying medium on fat uptake and texture of frozen pre‐fried French fries. As has been found, the degradation degree of the frying medium depends on the kind of oil and processing time. Liquid hydrogenated rapeseed oil exhibited the best thermo‐oxidative stability among the oils under investigation. The kind of oil influenced fat uptake and the texture of French fries. The lowest fat uptake was observed with French fries fried in solid oil. Some correlations between fat uptake and changes in fatty acid content were found in the frying medium during frying. Fat absorption increased with increasing unsaturated fatty acids and decreasing saturated fatty acid content. The texture of French fries fried in hydrogenated oils was harder than that exhibited by French fries fried in liquid rapeseed oil. The hardness of French fries fried in liquid oils decreased during frying while the hardness of French fries fried in solid oil increased. Some correlations between the texture of French fries and iodine value and fatty acids content of frying media were found. The hardness of French fries increased with increasing content of saturated fatty acids and decreasing unsaturated fatty acids and trans isomer fatty acid content. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Producing lower-calorie deep fat fried French fries using infrared dry-blanching as pretreatment

The main objectives of this work were to study the suitability of using infrared (IR) heating as a dry-blanching pretreatment prior to frying and to investigate its potential to reduce the oil uptake in French fry production. It was observed that by using IR heat complete inactivation of polyphenol oxidase enzyme could be achieved in 3 min with 4.7% moisture loss for 9 mm French fries. Following IR dry-blanching, the samples were fried at 146, 160, and 174 °C for 1, 3, 5, and 7 min. At the end of 7 min frying, compared to unblanched samples, dry-blanched samples had 37.5%, 32% and 30% less total oil at the frying temperatures of 146, 160 and 174 °C, respectively. The final moisture contents of unblanched and dry-blanched samples were between 50% and 60% after 7 min frying. The L*a*b* colour values of both unblanched and dry-blanched samples decreased initially and then increased as the frying progressed. The sensory evaluation revealed that panelists mostly favored the IR dry-blanched French fries in terms of taste, texture, colour and appearance.     

Migration of health promoting microconstituents from frying vegetable oils to French fries

Fried foods, especially French fries, are consumed worldwide with sustainable popularity, correlated to their unique sensory properties. During frying the oil is absorbed by the food and becomes part of our diet. Concerns regarding the fried foods quality due to the accumulation of by-products resulting from frying oil deterioration are adequately justified. Given the consumers’ preference it is however worth exploiting the presence of health promoting components in fried foods and worth studying factors that might increase those microconstituents content. French fries contain vitamin E, phytosterols and depending on the oil used, polyphenols, squalene, triterpenes, and carotenoids. Tocopherols and phytosterols content of French fries comply with the respective oil content; polyphenols seem to survive better inside the food tissue than in the oil, thus presenting higher concentrations in the former. The concentrations of these compounds in French fries are mainly affected by the oil type, oil quality, and the frying procedure adopted.     

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.     

Effects of Processing Conditions on Qualities of Rice Fries

ABSTRACT Two rice flour mixtures, 2 extruding temperatures, and 2 insert sizes were used to develop rice fries. The extruded material was cut into pieces 7 to 8‐cm long, prefried in rice oil at 180°C for 20 s, and kept frozen until final frying for another 70 s. The rice fries were evaluated 5 min and 10 min after final frying for their lipid, moisture, and instrumental texture characteristics. Extruding temperature, rice cultivar, and insert size were significantly related to fat content, moisture, hardness, and fracturability values. A mixture consisting of 80:20 (waxy:long‐grain), and extruded at 70 °C using a 6 mm insert, 5 min after frying, gave a texture profile analysis value for hardness, cohesive‐ness, and gumminess values comparable to commercial potato French fries. The rice fries made by the process also had less than 50% fat than potato fries.     

Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Osmotic Dehydration as a Pretreatment on Deep Fat Frying of Potatoes

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration (UAOD) as a pretreatment prior to frying and to study its effects on the quality of fried potatoes. The quality parameters, moisture content, oil uptake, color, texture, and microstructure of fried potatoes, were chosen. Quality of fried potatoes treated with UAOD was also compared with the ones treated with osmotic dehydration (OD). Potato slabs (40 × 40 × 7 mm) were pretreated with different osmotic solutions (15 % sodium chloride and 15 % sodium chloride/50 % sucrose solutions) at different temperatures (25, 45, and 65 °C) with and without ultrasonic waves for different treatment times. The pretreatment conditions which are OD for 90 min and UAOD for 30 min using 15 % sodium chloride/50 % sucrose solution were applied prior to frying at 170 °C for 2, 4, and 6 min. UAOD reduced the oil content of fried potatoes by 12.5 % (db) as compared to untreated fried potatoes at the end of frying. There was no significant difference between OD and UAOD in reduction of oil uptake in fried potatoes. However, UAOD was found to have the advantage of improving the color of French fries. In addition, it shortened the pretreatment time of OD by about 67 %. Cell structure of fried potato was damaged in the presence of pretreatments of OD and UAOD.     

Effective quality control of incoming potatoes as an acrylamide mitigation strategy for the French fries industry

The correlation between sugar levels in raw material (potatoes), brown colouring and formation of acrylamide in French fries was investigated. The objective was to identify incoming potatoes (raw material) with a high potential for acrylamide formation. Ten different potato varieties commonly used in the Western European French fries industry were stored at 8°C and samples were taken throughout the storage time. The current quality control used in the French fries industry for incoming potatoes is poorly correlated with acrylamide in the final product (r = 0.74). Changing the quality control parameter from colour to reducing sugars in raw material did not improve the correlation (r = 0.72). The best correlation was obtained with the Agtron colour measurement after blanching and a two-stage frying (r = ?0.88). It was concluded that alternative entrance control measurements could provide better mitigation of the acrylamide issue in French fries from the start of production. These alternatives, however, are less cost-effective and more difficult to implement.     

Formation of trans fatty acids in edible oils during the frying and heating process

To assess an impact of heated edible oils on intake of trans fat, the formations of trans fatty acids (TFAs) in cooking conditions was estimated by a frying and heating model system. For the frying model, sliced raw potatoes (10% of the frying oil (w/w)) were fried in commercially available canola oil at 160, 180 and 200 °C, and the 10 frying cycles were performed. The TFAs contained both in fried potatoes and in frying oils were measured by gas chromatography (GC). Lipids content of raw potatoes was about 0.1% (w/w) and TFAs in the raw potatoes were negligible. On the other hand, fried potatoes contained lipids at the level of 8.8%–9.2% and their fatty acid composition was mostly in correspondence with that of the frying oil. The TFAs amount of potatoes fried by the tenth frying operation was at the level of 0.99–1.05 g/100 g lipids. When 100 g potatoes fried in this process were consumed, the TFAs intake was estimated at less than 0.1 g. After 10 frying operations, TFAs content, acid values and peroxide values of the frying oils were measured and compared with those of corresponding heated canola oils without food. The amounts of trans 18:1 FAs contained both in the frying oil and in heated oil were less than the quantitative limit (0.047 g/100 g oil). The increases of trans 18:2 FAs and trans 18:3 FAs of the used frying oil were 0.02 g/100 and 0.05 g/100 g, respectively, compared with those of the fresh oil. trans 18:2 FAs accumulation in the heated oil was slightly less than that in the frying oil. To elucidate TFAs accumulation in various edible oils during cooking, six kinds of commercially available edible vegetable oils were heated to 180 °C in glass test tubes. Small changes in TFAs amounts were observed after four hours heating. These results suggested that an ordinary frying process using unhydrogenated edible oils has little impact on TFAs intake from edible oils.     

Retention and distribution of polyphenols after pan-frying of French fries in oils enriched with olive leaf extract

ABSTRACT:  Palm oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil were supplemented with an extract rich in polyphenols obtained from olive tree ( Olea europaea ) leaves at levels of 120 and 240 mg total polyphenols per kilogram of oil. Pan-frying of potatoes was performed in both the enriched and the nonsupplemented oils under domestic frying conditions. Total polyphenol content was estimated by the Folin–Ciocalteau assay, oleuropein was determined by HPLC analysis, while other individual polyphenols by GC/MS analysis. Fourteen polyphenol species were identified in the olive leaf extract, among which oleuropein predominated (1.25 g/kg olive leaves). All the enriched oils contained oleuropein before and after frying. Oleuropein as well as other polyphenol species were detected in all French fries cooked in enriched oils. Polyphenol intake by consuming French fries pan-fried in the enriched oils was calculated to be 6 to 31 times higher than that in the case of French fries fried in commercial oils, being dependent on the frying oil type.     

On the Possibility of Nonfat Frying using Molten Glucose

Fried products impose a health concerns due to considerable amount of oil they contain. Production of snack foods with minimal oil content and good management of oil during frying to minimize the production of toxic compounds continue to be challenging aims. This paper aims to investigate the possibility of producing a fat‐free food snack by replacing frying oil with a nonfat medium. Glucose was melted and its temperature was then brought to 185 °C and used to fry potato strips, to obtain a product referred here as glucose fries. The resulting product was compared with French fries prepared conventionally under conditions that resulted in similar final moisture content. The resulting products were also examined for crust formation, texture parameters, color development and glucose content. Stereo microscope images showed that similar crusts were formed in the glucose fries and French fries. Texture parameters were found to be similar for both products at 5 and 2 mm penetration depth. The maximum hardness at 2 mm penetration depth was also similar for both products, but different from cooked potato. The color development that characterized French fries was also observed in glucose fries. The glucose content in glucose fries was found to be twice the content of French fries, which is to be expected because glucose absorbed or adhered to the surface. In conclusion, glucose fries, with similar texture and color characteristics to that of French fries, can be prepared by using a nonfat frying medium.     

Comparison of Microwave and Conventional Frying on Quality Attributes and Fat Content of Potatoes

A comparative analysis of quality attributes (moisture, fat, color, and relaxation modulus) of French fries was performed between conventional and microwave frying. Experiments were performed in triplicate for both frying operations at temperatures of 177, 185, and 193 °C for frying times of 60, 90, and 120 s. The real‐time pressure and temperature profiles at above conditions indicated that during microwave frying, gage pressure had greater magnitudes that lasted longer, and the temperature increased to boiling point of water faster in comparison to conventional frying. Lower magnitude of negative pressure during microwave frying is expected to have caused lower fat content in fries obtained using this method (0.08 g/g solids less at 185 °C and 0.07 g/g solids less at 193 °C) than conventional frying. The lightness parameter (L^*) decreased to a lesser extent in microwave frying than in conventional frying. The stress relaxation function of the French fries were significantly different between the 2 frying operations. Consumer test confirmed that reduced fat uptake during microwave frying did not compromise with desirable quality attributes of French fries. X‐ray micro‐computed tomography scanning provided complementary understanding about differences in microstructural properties of fries made using microwave and conventional frying.     

Performance of palm olein in repeated deep frying and controlled heating processes

The stability of refined, bleached and deodorised (RBD) palm olein was studied under both repeated frying and controlled heating conditions. Two different frying foods i.e. chicken nuggets and French fries were used to evaluate the oil performance under various frying conditions. Thermo-oxidative alterations were measured through various physical and chemical parameters. Total polar compounds (TPC), polymeric triglycerides (PTG), blueness (b^∗ value), chroma (C^∗ value), refractive index and viscosity increased linearly with the number of frying/heating cycles. Palmitic acid content increased and linoleic acid content decreased linearly with the number of frying cycles. No significant changes in oleic acid were detected. Thermo-oxidative reactions induced under the heating conditions were found to be faster as compared to those under the frying conditions. The PTG formed at the end of heating cycles (16.42%) were substantially higher as compared to those formed at the end of frying French fries (9.72%) and chicken nuggets (5.34%).     

The influence of oil type and frying temperatures on the texture and oil content of French fries

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of the frying medium and temperatures on fat content and texture of French fries. The material taken for the study consisted of seven types of vegetable oil: refined sunflower, rape, soy, olive oil, palm, partially hydrogenated rape oil (modified oil I) and a blend of vegetable oils (modified oil II). The French fries prepared from Asterix potato variety were fried at oils heated to 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 °C. The length of frying (12, 10, 8, 6.5 and 4.5 min, respectively) depended on oil temperature. Fat content and the texture of French fries were determined. The type of frying medium significantly affects the texture of French fries. Temperature influenced both the fat content and texture of product. The increase of frying temperature decreased fat uptake and hardness of French fries. French fries fried in rape oil exhibited the most delicate texture and the lowest oil absorption when compared with French fries fried in other types of oil under investigation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Estimating the time of frying oils have been used for French fries based on profile changes of fatty acids derived from heated oil model systems

Time of use for frying oils recovered from French fries was estimated based on ratios of fatty acids and values of conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) and/or p-anisidine (p-AV) derived from oxidation data of oils heated to 180°C in model systems. Changes in CDA and p-AV values in oils occurred faster than changes in ratios of fatty acids (oleic to linoleic acids, O/L) and saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (SFAs/UFAs). Oil use times estimated by O/L SFAs/UFAs ratios, and on CDA and p-AV values in oil recovered from French fries were 1.38, 1.42, 0.36, and 0.22 h, respectively. The actual oil use time was 1.5 h. Although oxidation parameters from heated oil models may not accurately reflect changes in oils during deep-fat frying of French fries, ratios of fatty acids in oils may be more useful for predicting the use time of frying oils than CDA and p-AV values.     

Optimization of microwave frying of osmotically dehydrated potato slices by using response surface methodology

Microwave frying of osmotically dehydrated potatoes was optimized by using response surface methodology. Osmotic dehydration was applied prior to microwave frying in order to reduce oil uptake and to evaluate the effect of osmotic dehydration on quality of microwave fried potatoes. Moisture content, oil content, hardness and color of the fried potatoes were used as quality parameters. Microwave power level (400, 550, 700 W), frying time (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 min) and osmotic dehydration time (15, 30, 45 min) were the independent variables in the study. Osmotic dehydration treatment was conducted using 20% (w/w) sodium chloride solution at 30 °C. Moisture content of the fried potatoes decreased whereas oil content, hardness and ΔE value of potatoes increased with increasing frying time and microwave power level. The increase in osmotic dehydration time reduced moisture content and oil content and increased hardness of fried potatoes. The optimum condition was found as frying at 400 W microwave power level for 1.5 min after 39 min of osmotic dehydration time.     

INCREASES IN THE DIELECTRIC CONSTANTS OF SOYBEAN AND SUNFLOWER OILS AND PRODUCT QUALITY CHANGES OF POTATOES DURING INTERRUPTED DEEP FAT FRYING1

During a 32 h interrupted period of heat processing French fries, the rate of change in the dielectric constants of soybean and sunflower oils was determined. Selected quality parameters (moisture, yield, texture, food energy) were also measured during this period. Heat processing conditions simulated good operational practices for deep fat frying within a commercial setting. The dielectric constant of sunflower increased at a significantly greater rate than soybean oil, indicating increased rates of oil deterioration. Moisture content and yield of the French fries did not differ throughout the 32 h period. Mean texture values (force) were 661 and 643 g for soybean and sunflower oil, respectively. Significant linear interactions among oil and time were found for texture. The food energy content (Kcal/g; dry basis) of French fries heat processed in sunflower oil was significantly lower than those, in soybean oil.     

Quality of french fried potatoes as influenced by coating with hydrocolloids

Potato french fries were coated with a combination of calcium chloride and either pectin or sodium alginate at different levels. The best treatment was selected for the second coating with different hydrocolloids. Qualities of single- and double-coated french fries were evaluated. Potato french fries coated with sodium alginate as a first coating had less oil reduction and less quality than those coated with pectin. Single-coated french fries with a combination of 0.5% calcium chloride and 5% pectin had the highest reduction of oil content as well as the highest moisture content. Also, coated french fries at these levels exhibited higher red and yellow colours and were firmer than the control. Coated french fries with 0.5% calcium chloride and 5% pectin had higher sensory scores for all attributes compared to the control. French fries coated with carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) as a second layer were more effective than those coated with pectin or sodium alginate in reducing the oil content. The incorporation of CMC at 1.5% level as a second layer reduced the oil content by 54%; however, the single coating with 0.5% calcium chloride and 5% pectin reduced the oil content by 40%. Double-coated french fries had higher moisture contents and firmer structures than the single coated french fries. Increasing the level of the hydrocolloid forming the second coating up to 1.5% resulted in non-significant differences in the sensory scores for all attributes. Scanning electron microscope photographs indicated that the single- or double-coating process was effective in protecting the cellular structure of potato tissues from the damage produced during deep-fat frying. ©