Effective ways of decreasing acrylamide content in potato crisps during processing.

The aim of this work was to examine the effect of blanching or soaking in different acid solutions on the acrylamide content in potato crisps. Furthermore, the effects of a shorter frying time and a lower frying temperature combined with a postdrying were investigated. Soaking or blanching of potato slices in acidic solutions decreased the pH of potato juice and increased the extraction of amino acids and sugars. Potato crisps obtained after such pretreatments were characterized by lower acrylamide content. The most effective extraction of free amino acids and sugars as well as the largest decrease of acrylamide content (90%) in crisps was obtained when potato slices were soaked in acetic acid solution for 60 min at 20 degrees C. Shorter frying time followed by postdrying resulted in low-moisture potato crisps. Furthermore, the postdrying treatment gave a decreases in acrylamide content of approximately 70% when potato slices were fried at 185 degrees C and approximately 80% when potato slices were fried at 160 degrees C. Effective ways of decreasing acrylamide content in crisps production have been found. Crisps with low acrylamide content and good sensory quality can be obtained either by blanching in acetic acid as pretreatment or by a short frying followed by postdrying.