New Insights Into Modeling Quality Change Kinetics, Oil Distribution, and Physicochemical Properties of Banana Chips Using Combined Pre-Frying Treatments
Résumé
This study developed low-fat banana chips using various pre-frying treatments, including moisture reduction (MR), hydrocolloid coatings (carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and guar gum (GG)), and their combinations with freezing (MRF, CMCF, GGF). Pretreated samples were fried at 180 °C for 180 s (MR and MRF) or 420 s (CMC, CMCF, GG, and GGF) and compared with commercial deep-fat and vacuum-fried chips. Moisture sorption characteristics, dynamic mechanical thermal properties, oil distribution, and physicochemical attributes were evaluated, and quality changes during frying were modeled. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that most pre-frying treatments were closely correlated with commercial deep-fat fried products, while MR and MRF were positioned between commercial deep-fat and vacuum-fried chips, indicating shared characteristics with both groups. MR and MRF had the lowest oil content among all pre-frying treatments. Penetrated oil accounted for over 97% of the total oil. All treatments produced chips with glass transition temperatures above ambient temperature (30 °C) and monolayer moisture content (2.75 to 6.93% d.b.) exceeding actual moisture content levels (0.17–2.23% d.b.), suggesting a storage stability under ambient conditions. The modified page model was the best described moisture loss during frying, while zero-order reaction kinetics effectively explained quality changes. In conclusion, MR and MRF were effective in producing low-fat banana chips with quality comparable to commercial vacuum-fried products. This work advances current knowledge by demonstrating that pre-frying treatments can serve as cost-effective alternatives to vacuum frying in terms of capital investment while maintaining comparable quality attributes. This finding makes the approach suitable for small- and medium-scale snack manufacturers seeking to meet consumer demand for healthier snack options.
