Optimization of Deep-Fat Frying of Plantain Chips (Ipekere) using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Deep-fat frying of plantain chips (ipekere) was investigated with the aim of predicting optimum operating conditions for plantain chips to minimize oil content in order to produce healthy products. The effect of frying temperature and time on moisture content, oil content, breaking force and colour difference of plantain chips was evaluated. Response surface methodology was used to analyze the results of the central composite design of the frying processes for the responses as a result of variation in the levels of frying temperature (150 – 190^oC) and frying time (2 – 4 min). Response surface regression analysis shows that responses were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with frying temperature and time. Regression model was developed for the investigation of the effect of frying temperature and time on the responses. The polynomial regression models were validated with statistical tool whose values of coefficients of determination (R²) were 0.995, 0.982, 0.971 and 0.996 for moisture content, oil content, breaking force and colour difference, respectively. The optimum values of moisture content, oil content, breaking force and colour difference were 3.73%, 1.18%, 17.66 N and 65.53, respectively, at frying temperature of 183^oC and frying time of 3 min. Therefore, frying conditions had a significant effect on the quality attributes of chips produced from plantain.

Keywords: plantain chips, deep-fat frying, regression models, texture and colour