Effect of vacuum and atmospheric frying and heating on physico-chemical properties of rice bran oil.

The study highlights the impact of vacuum (13.33 kPa) and atmospheric (101.325 kPa) pressure on the Physico-chemical stability of rice bran oil (RBO) during continuous frying and heating at equivalent thermal driving force (∆T = 45 °C). Reduced operating pressure played a major role in retaining the Physico-chemical quality of RBO. Results show that the PV, FFA, p-An value, IV, TOTOX value, total polar compound (TPC), saturated fatty acids, CIE color values, and viscosity of RBO increased significantly (p < 0.05) at a higher rate during frying and heating (22.24 h) under atmospheric pressure as compared to vacuum pressure. TPC and total saturated fatty acids were formed 34.37% and 32.76%, and 7.33% and 2.23% more, respectively, whereas, total unsaturated fatty acids were found to be 3.34% and 1.04% less during frying and heating at atmospheric pressure as compared to vacuum pressure condition. In general, vacuum frying technology is suitable for making papaya chips with extended reuse of RBO. © Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India) 2021.