DEEP FAT FRYING OF POTATO STRIPS—QUALITY ISSUES

Moisture loss and oil adsorption kinetics, structural properties (apparent density, true density, specific volume and internal porosity), color changes and viscoelastic behavior (compression tests, crispness) were investigated during deep fat frying of french fries. The effect of frying conditions (oil temperature, sample thickness and oil type), drying pretreatment and osmotic dehydration pretreatment on the above properties was also examined. The results showed that oil temperature and thickness of potato strips have a significant effect on oil uptake, moisture loss and color parameters of french fries, while the use of hydrogenated oil in the frying medium does not affect these properties. The porosity of french fries increases with oil temperature increases and sample thickness and it is higher for products fried with hydrogenated oil. Maximum stress and maximum strain increase during frying, while crispness of potato strips is higher for hydrogenated oil, and lower for refined oil. Air drying and osmotic pretreatment increase porosity of fried potatoes but decrease their oil and moisture content. A negative effect on color development with drying time was also observed. Pre-fry drying as well as osmotic pre-treatment increases the maximum stress and maximum strain of french fries during frying. Air drying pre-treatment increases the crispness of potato strips while osmotic pre-treatment does not affect it, with the exception of sugar solutions.     

DEEP FAT FRYING OF POTATO STRIPS—QUALITY ISSUES

Moisture loss and oil adsorption kinetics, structural properties (apparent density, true density, specific volume and internal porosity), color changes and viscoelastic behavior (compression tests, crispness) were investigated during deep fat frying of french fries. The effect of frying conditions (oil temperature, sample thickness and oil type), drying pretreatment and osmotic dehydration pretreatment on the above properties was also examined. The results showed that oil temperature and thickness of potato strips have a significant effect on oil uptake, moisture loss and color parameters of french fries, while the use of hydrogenated oil in the frying medium does not affect these properties. The porosity of french fries increases with oil temperature increases and sample thickness and it is higher for products fried with hydrogenated oil. Maximum stress and maximum strain increase during frying, while crispness of potato strips is higher for hydrogenated oil, and lower for refined oil. Air drying and osmotic pretreatment increase porosity of fried potatoes but decrease their oil and moisture content. A negative effect on color development with drying time was also observed. Pre-fry drying as well as osmotic pre-treatment increases the maximum stress and maximum strain of french fries during frying. Air drying pre-treatment increases the crispness of potato strips while osmotic pre-treatment does not affect it, with the exception of sugar solutions.     

MODELING WATER LOSS DURING FRYING OF POTATO STRIPS: EFFECT OF SOLUTE IMPREGNATION

The effect of solute impregnation on water loss and oil uptake during potato strip frying was studied. Blanched potato strips were impregnated at 25°C by soaking in a solution of sucrose-NaCl-water, 20-5-75% by weight. After rinsing and air drying, strips were deep fried in sunflower oil at 160, 170 and 180°C. A control treatment, consisting of potato strips blanched but not soaked and later air dried was also conducted. Solute impregnation provided a decrease of the oil uptake. Two models, based on Fick's law were used to describe water loss during frying. The first one is the classic model with an effective moisture diffusion coefficient assumed a constant value. The second model considers that diffusion coefficient varies during the frying process. For a given frying temperature, constant diffusion coefficient for control potatoes resulted in lower values than the impregnated ones. The variable diffusivity model showed a two-stage behavior: during the first stage of frying, diffusion coefficient increased with frying temperatures, but from a given time on an inverse behavior began. This last fact was found to be related to an increase of the measured peak force needed to penetrate the potato crust.     

MODELING WATER LOSS DURING FRYING OF POTATO STRIPS: EFFECT OF SOLUTE IMPREGNATION

ABSTRACT

The effect of solute impregnation on water loss and oil uptake during potato strip frying was studied. Blanched potato strips were impregnated at 25°C by soaking in a solution of sucrose–NaCl–water, 20–5–75% by weight. After rinsing and air drying, strips were deep fried in sunflower oil at 160, 170 and 180°C. A control treatment, consisting of potato strips blanched but not soaked and later air dried was also conducted. Solute impregnation provided a decrease of the oil uptake. Two models, based on Fick's law were used to describe water loss during frying. The first one is the classic model with an effective moisture diffusion coefficient assumed a constant value. The second model considers that diffusion coefficient varies during the frying process. For a given frying temperature, constant diffusion coefficient for control potatoes resulted in lower values than the impregnated ones. The variable diffusivity model showed a two-stage behavior: during the first stage of frying, diffusion coefficient increased with frying temperatures, but from a given time on an inverse behavior began. This last fact was found to be related to an increase of the measured peak force needed to penetrate the potato crust.     

Low oil content potato chips produced by infrared vacuum pre-drying and microwave-assisted vacuum frying

The effects of vacuum infrared radiation (VIR) pre-drying on the microwave-assisted vacuum frying (MVF) potato chips were investigated to study its possibility of decreasing the oil content of fried potato chips. The moisture evaporation, oil content, texture, color, surface temperature, shrinkage, and sensory analysis of fried products were evaluated. Results showed that the VIR pre-drying significantly reduced the oil content in MVF products, a decrease from 22.38 to 13.49?g oil/100?g dry solid. The application of VIR pre-drying accelerated the dehydration rate, and increased the mechanical breaking force measured with a texture analyzer with 20–30?min pre-drying. The VIR pre-drying resulted in an increase in the total color change and the shrinkage of MVF potato chips. The sensory analysis showed that the proper duration of VIR pre-drying would achieve a higher consumers’ acceptance. Comparing with the current industrial applications, vacuum frying, and atmospheric deep-fat frying, the combined VIR and MVF technology would be an alternative frying method for producing healthier fried products with less oil content and high quality.     

Incorporation of the toxic aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-nonenal into food fried in thermally oxidized soybean oil

The toxic aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE) is an oxidation product of linoleic acid and is formed during the thermal oxidation of soybean oil at frying temperature. This investigation was conducted to determine whether HNE would be incorporated into food fried in thermally oxidized soybean oil. Commercially available liquid soybean oil was heated at 185°C for 5 h prior to frying uniform pieces of potato (1×0.5×7 cm). The oil was sampled prior to and after frying and was analyzed for the presence of HNE and other polar lipophilic aldehydes and related carbonyl compounds by HPLC. The oil was also extracted from the fried potato pieces and was analyzed identically to the frying oil. HNE was found to be a major polar lipophilic compound in the thermally oxidized frying oil, as previously published by this laboratory, and in the oil extracted from the fried potato. Similar concentrations of HNE were found in the oil prior to and after frying and in the oil extracted from the fried potato (57.53±16.31, 52.40±6.10, and 59.64±11.91 mg HNE per 100 g oil, respectively). These results indicate that toxic HNE was readily incorporated into food fried in thermally oxidized oil; extensive consumption of such fried foods could be a health concern.     

高温油炸薄薯片过程中油的吸收和水分流失间的特性关系

Thin potato crisps (2mm) were fried at 170℃, 180℃ and 190℃ for various times from 10s to 180s inclusive. It was found that definite oil uptake, moisture loss trends exist during the frying process. No significant difference in the oil uptake or moisture loss rates between flat-cut and ridge-cut crisps exists. Also found in this study was that an increased oil temperature promoted higher moisture loss rates. In turn, the higher moisture loss rates contributed to a higher oil uptake rate. It was found, based on the volumetric plots of oil content vs. water content, that the oil uptake rate was proportional to the moisture loss rate. As a result, it has been shown that there is a possibility of having a characteristic curve of oil uptake against moisture content.     

Study of oil uptake and some quality attributes of potato chips affected by hydrocolloids

The use of coating agents is one effective way to reduce oil absorption in fried products. Reducing the fat content of fried foods by application of coatings is an alternative solution to comply with both health concerns and consumer preferences. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hydrocolloids as coating agent on the quantity of oil uptake and on sensory attributes of potato chips. The effect of the coating composition showed that the minimum fat content was related to 1% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 0.5% xanthan, 0.3% guar and 1% xanthan with 21.2, 21.7, 22.4 and 24.8%, respectively, and the highest of fat content was related to blank sample (non-coated), 2% tragacanth, 0.5% guar gum with 49.4, 41.7 and 33.2% of oil content, respectively (p <0.05). The most effective coating agent reduced the oil uptake by 57.03, 55.94, 54.67 and 49.71%, respectively (p <0.05). Sensory evaluation showed that the best color was related to 1% CMC, 0.3% guar and 2% tragacanth, and with respect to flavor evaluation the best flavor was observed in tragacanth 2%, CMC 0.5% and CMC 0.1%, and the best texture referred to tragacanth 2%, CMC 0.5% and CMC 1%. In sensory evaluation, all coated chips got high scores compared with blank (non-coated chips) samples (p <0.05).     

Frying of Potatoes: Physical,Chemical, and Microstructural Changes

Frying is one of the oldest unit operations and is used not only in industry but also at home. The most commonly fried vegetable is potato, for important commercial products such as potato chips, par-fried potatoes, and french fries. Quality parameters of interest for fried potatoes include physical and chemical properties such as color, mechanical properties (e.g., crispness, hardness, etc.), structural properties (e.g., porosity and roughness), oil content, and water content, among others. Some chemical contaminants such as acrylamide and furan are heat-generated during the frying of potato slices or strips, leading to final fried pieces with considerable amounts of these contaminants. The controllable variables in industrial frying processes are generally potato variety, oil type, frying time, and frying temperature. Therefore, the study of the quality changes during frying is critical because knowledge regarding kinetics parameters will enable prediction of the final quality in fried potatoes and improvements in the final product value by selecting properly the processing conditions. Finally, modern techniques such as computer vision provide valuable tools to quantify and predict physical and chemical properties of potato pieces during frying in a fast and noninvasive way. In addition, computer vision can allow us to classify fried potatoes in different quality classes previously determined by sensorial panels.     

Effects of Microbial Polysaccharides on the Oil Absorption and Quality Characteristics of a Deep-Fried Snack Namkeen

This study investigates the potential of microbial polysaccharides (MP) gellan gum and pullulan to reduce oil uptake in a deep-fried snack (Namkeen). The concentration of MP in refined wheat flour varied between 1–10% (w/w) and the frying time and temperature are optimized. The results reveal that MP added namkeens showed a maximum relative oil reduction of 33.87% with gellan gum and 26.93% with pullulan at 10% (w/w). Gellan gum and pullulan result in oil reduction of 23.19% and 15.97% with 5% (w/w). The results reveal that gellan gum added namkeens exhibited 1.45 times lower oil uptake than pullulan added namkeen indicating potential oil reduction capabilities. The hardness of namkeen is observed to increase with an increase in MP concentration. Sensorial and textural characteristics of control and MP incorporated fried samples are comparable up to 5% (w/w) with MP concentration. The results for the control samples and MP incorporated samples are statistically significant. Furthermore, overall sensorial acceptability of pullulan added namkeens (7.74 ± 0.53) is slightly higher than that of gellan gum added namkeens (7.64 ± 0.36). Practical Application: Low-fat diet and functional foods are expected to help in managing the conditions of hyperlipidaemia. This study focuses on the potential of MP in reducing the oil content of deep-fried snacks. The efficacy of MP gellan gum and pullulan as functional ingredients for oil reduction in fried snacks demonstrates its aid in formulating low-fat foods thereby retaining sensorial characteristics.     

Effect of low temperature on the microwave-assisted vacuum frying of potato chips

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of low temperature on the microwave-assisted vacuum frying of potato chips. A newly built, in-house, microwave-assisted frying machine was developed and used in this study. The effect of low temperature on the microwave-assisted vacuum frying of potato chips was investigated via comparing sample properties prepared with frying temperatures of 90°C, 95°C, and 100°C. The experience was taken at the same vacuum degree in every frying process. Parameters of included moisture content, oil content, color parameters (lightness, redness, and yellowness), and textures (hardness, crispness) were used to evaluate the effect of different frying temperatures on the microwave-assisted vacuum frying of potato chips. Results showed that with lower temperature in microwave-assisted frying, the rate of moisture evaporation of potato chips was slowed down and the time of the ending of frying was prolonged from 10 min with a frying temperature of 100°C to 14 min with 90°C and 12 min with 95°C. Meanwhile, the oil content in fried potato chips was increased with lower temperature in microwave-assisted vacuum frying. The breaking force of final products are not significantly (p > 0.05) affected in different frying temperatures of microwave-assisted vacuum frying. Also, the frying temperature of 100°C in microwave-assisted vacuum frying had better preservation of natural color than the lower frying temperature with prolonged frying time. Results showed that the temperature is one of the main factors that affect the quality of microwave-assisted vacuum frying of potato chips and the producer could find suitable temperature conditions according to experience.     

Quality of Lipids of Indian Deep Fat Fried Food Products

A few deep fat fried products of Indian taste were either prepared in the laboratory in heat-abused groundnut oil or collected from commercial establishments along with corresponding frying oils. Quality of lipid extracted from different products or that of frying oils was assessed through different determinations. The study indicates that the quality of the lipid or the fat of a deep fat fried product is governed by the quality of its frying oil; however, both are not same. The study brings out the significance of moisture content of a product in determining the quality of lipid picked up by it from frying oil. When the moisture content of a product is high (45% or more), the quality of its lipid is inferior to that of its frying oil. When the moisture content is low (10% or less), the reverse is the situation. Difference between total lipid and crude fat of a product calculated on moisture free basis is found to be more pronounced in case of products having high moisture contents compared to those having low moisture contents. Products with low moisture content have relatively higher percentage and those with high moisture content, have lower percentage of ?bound”? lipid.     

Sunflower Oil–Beeswax Oleogels Are Promising Frying Medium for Potato Strips

Sunflower oil–beeswax oleogels at 3% (BWO-3) and 8% (BWO-8) organogelator concentration are prepared to evaluate oleogels as frying medium for potato strip frying against commercial sunflower oil (SO). Rheological and thermal analyses of oleogels prove that the samples are fully solid (20±3 °C) and totally liquid (180 °C), and thermoreversible. Fresh and used (after frying) fat analyses show that free fatty acidity (FFA), peroxide value (PV) and total polar materials (TPM) are enhanced in all samples at the 7th h, but the relative enhancement levels are lower in oleogel samples. Potato strips fried in oleogels absorb significantly less oil (11.97% and 12.07%) than the control sample (15.20%). Potatoes fried in oleogels are also more bright and yellower than the control sample. Textural profile of the fried potatoes indicates that the samples fried in oleogels are harder, springier, and gummier than that of the control sample. Sensory analysis shows that oleogel fried potatoes get higher sensory scores. Also, overall acceptability of potatoes fried in BWO-8 sample is the highest (8.50) among all. The prepared oleogels are found quite promising frying medium in this study. Further studies with other types of oleogels in extended period frying of various foods are suggested. Practical applications: The development of innovative frying techniques to produce healthier products with lower fat and calorie values are still a remarkable research area. Oleogelation is an emerging strategy used for solid-like oil designing and based on the formation of 3D networks by the addition of organogelators. Oleogelation is accepted as a healthy strategy to structure liquid oils into solid consistency, and oleogels have great edible applications in processed foods, and can be used as a frying medium. This work can guide the use of sunflower oil–beeswax oleogels as a frying medium and allow the development of more healthy fried snacks.     

Effect of Microwave-Assisted Vacuum Frying on the Quality of Potato Chips

We investigated the applicability of microwave-assisted vacuum frying in producing potato chips. Three microwave power levels (600, 800, 1000 W) were used for frying times of up to 360 s. The moisture loss and oil uptake histories were measured as a function of the microwave power levels. The textural crispness (breaking force) and color parameters (lightness, redness, and yellowness) were also measured as a function of microwave power levels and frying time. The application of microwave-assisted vacuum frying significantly increased the moisture evaporation and oil uptake rates in potato chips. At the same time, the amount of oil uptake was similar to that in vacuum-fried chips not assisted by microwave. The chips produced using microwave-assisted vacuum frying were crispier (lower breaking force), visually appealing, and could be produced in a shorter time.     

STUDIES ON FRYING KINETICS AND QUALITY OF FRENCH FRIES

Effects of temperature of oil (160, 170 and 180° C) and duration of pre-drying (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 h) on the kinetics of moisture removal and oil uptake, and quality of French fries were studied. Frying times at each combination of temperature and pre-drying duration were standardized on the basis of sensory characteristics of the product in the preliminary trials. Results indicated that the rate of both moisture loss and oil uptake were higher in the beginning followed by a decrease in the later stages of frying. Mathematical models were developed to describe both the moisture removal and oil uptake by French fries. French fries prepared from potato fingers blanched in water for 4 min at 85° C and fried (without pre-drying) at 180° C were judged to be the most acceptable.     

Effect of Vacuum-Microwave Predrying on Quality of Vacuum-Fried Potato Chips

The effects of vacuum microwave predrying on the quality of vacuum-fried potato chips were studied. The results showed that vacuum microwave predrying had a significant effect on moisture and oil contents, as well as color parameters and structure of potato chips. Vacuum microwave predrying significantly decreased the oil and moisture contents of vacuum-fried potato chips. The rates of both mass transfer phenomena (water loss and oil uptake) that take place during the vacuum frying of potato chips decrease due to the vacuum microwave predrying. The vacuum microwave predrying had a negative effect on color of potato chips, which decreases the L value of potato chips and increases Hunter a and b values. Breaking force of fried potato chips is also significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the drying pretreatment, which decreases the breaking force at the beginning of predrying and then increases with vacuum microwave predrying time.     

STUDIES ON FRYING KINETICS AND QUALITY OF FRENCH FRIES

ABSTRACT

Effects of temperature of oil (160, 170 and 180° C) and duration of pre-drying (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 h) on the kinetics of moisture removal and oil uptake, and quality of French fries were studied. Frying times at each combination of temperature and pre-drying duration were standardized on the basis of sensory characteristics of the product in the preliminary trials. Results indicated that the rate of both moisture loss and oil uptake were higher in the beginning followed by a decrease in the later stages of frying. Mathematical models were developed to describe both the moisture removal and oil uptake by French fries. French fries prepared from potato fingers blanched in water for 4 min at 85° C and fried (without pre-drying) at 180° C were judged to be the most acceptable.     

Optimization of Vacuum Microwave Predrying and Vacuum Frying Conditions to Produce Fried Potato Chips

The effects of vacuum microwave predrying and vacuum frying conditions on the quality of vacuum-fried potato chips were studied. Both the moisture content and oil content of potato chips decreased with increasing vacuum microwave predrying time. During vacuum frying, the moisture content of potato chips decreased with increasing frying temperature and time, while the oil content increased. Statistical analysis with response surface regression showed that the moisture content, oil content, and breaking force of potato chips were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with vacuum microwave predrying time, frying temperature, and frying time. Based on surface responses and contour plots, optimum conditions were vacuum microwave predrying time of 8–9 min, vacuum frying temperature of 108–110°C, and vacuum frying time of 20–21 min.     

Antioxidative effect of olive oil deodorizer distillate on frying oil and quality of potato chips

The antioxidative effect of unsaponifiable matter from olive oil deodorizer distillate on the stability of sunflower oil during frying and on the quality of potato chips were studied. Physical and chemical characteristics of sunflower oil samples with or without different concentrations of unsaponifiable matter were examined during frying at 180°C for ten consecutive days. The addition of 1% of unsaponifiable matter to sunflower oil showed the highest effect in retarding the oxidation deterioration of oil during frying of potato chips. This protective effect was attributed to high levels of squalene, Δ-avenasterol, and tocopherols. During ten frying days, the amount of squalene decreased to 79% and both tocopherols and Δ-avenasterol to 69% in frying sunflower oil. Oil absorbed by potato chips and the characteristics of the oil extracted from potato chips before and after three months of storage were determined. The amount of oil absorbed by potato chips ranged from 37.3 to 39.3% during frying. The unsaponifiable fractions remaining in the frying medium showed protective effects on the rate of oxidation of the oil extracted from potato chips. The uptake of unsaponifiable matter by chips was the highest during the first frying day. Chips with high amounts of squalene, tocopherols, and sterols showed highest antioxidative stability during storage for three months at ambient temperature. Potato chips fried in sunflower oil treated with 1% unsaponifiable matter showed a bright yellow colour, moderate crispness, high score flavour, and were well accepted by panelists. These data of sensory evaluation supported the results of chemical analyses of oil extracted from fresh and stored chips.     

Reducing the oil content in coated and deep‐fried chicken using whey protein

Whey protein has been investigated for its oil barrier properties in fried foods. Whey protein has been implemented successfully non‐film forming applications to reduce the fat content of deep‐fried chicken. As a 10% postbreading dip, whey protein solutions significantly lowered oil absorption of boneless patties by 37% compared to undipped controls. In bone‐in chicken thighs, 10% whey protein postbreading dip caused a 15% reduction in oil absorption during frying which was doubled by 10% β‐lactoglobulin postbreading dip at pH 2. A 30% lipid reduction was observed in deep‐fried battered and floured chicken strips when the strips were dipped in a 10% solution of denatured whey protein prior to frying compared to control chicken strips. When added to the batter of deep‐fried chicken nuggets, a significant fat reduction was observed for nuggets to which 3% whey protein was added to the batter compared to the control. In chicken strips that were marinated in a 15% solution of whey protein, a 35% fat reduction was observed. In spite of these results, questions that still remain. These studies have been undertaken in fully cooked products, not in raw coated or par‐fried products. The impact of rethermalization method is not known. Only preliminary research on the impact of WPI on the frying oil with respect to the formation of polar materials has been undertaken. On the positive side, the processes for introducing whey protein as an oil inhibition agent utilize processing steps that are already very common, e.g. incorporation into the batter or a marinade. Whey protein has the potential to be employed as an oil inhibiting agent in fried foods especially as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to come by.