Evaluation of the Thermophysical, Sensory, and Microstructural Properties of Colombian Coastal Carimañola Obtained by Atmospheric and Vacuum Frying.

The quality of fried products affects consumer purchase decisions, and frying is an important stage in the production process. The objective of this research was to evaluate the thermophysical properties, the sensory quality, and microstructure of Colombian coastal Carimañola traditionally manufactured, in atmospheric frying and vacuum frying conditions. Lower moisture and fat content were reported in samples fried under vacuum compared to samples fried under atmospheric conditions, which is associated with the vacuum pressure during the process. Thermophysical properties, related to heat transfer in the samples, showed a correlation between thermal conductivity and moisture content. The micrographs visualized the changes in the porous structure of the coastal Carimañola. A greater effect was evidenced in the samples obtained by atmospheric frying because higher temperatures were used. The sensory evaluation reflected a preference for Carimañolas made with conventional frying. This research provides a basis for consumer purchases of traditionally fried products made with vacuum frying.

Covid-19 Confinement and Changes of Adolescent's Dietary Trends in Italy, Spain, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.

Confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic can influence dietary profiles, especially those of adolescents, who are highly susceptible to acquiring bad eating habits. Adolescents' poor dietary habits increase their subsequent risk of degenerative diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, etc. Our aim was to study nutritional modifications during COVID-19 confinement in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, compare them with their usual diet and dietary guidelines, and identify variables that may have influenced changes. Data were collected by an anonymous online questionnaire on food intake among 820 adolescents from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. The results show that COVID-19 confinement did influence their dietary habits. In particular, we recorded modified consumption of fried food, sweet food, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Moreover, gender, family members at home, watching TV during mealtime, country of residence, and maternal education were diversely correlated with adequate nutrition during COVID-19 confinement. Understanding the adolescents' nutrition behavior during COVID-19 lockdown will help public health authorities reshape future policies on their nutritional recommendations, in preparation for future pandemics.

Optimización del proceso de fritura por inmersión de la arepa con huevo utilizando metodología de superficie de respuesta / Optimization of the deep fat frying process of arepa con huevo using response surface methodology

RESUMEN Los alimentos fritos son consumidos debido a sus características de palatabilidad y textura. Sin embargo, una limitante es el contenido de grasa que adquieren, lo cual es catalogado como un riesgo para la salud. Por lo tanto, se han desarrollado estrategias para controlar el proceso de fritura y obtener productos con bajos contenidos de grasa. La arepa con huevo (AH) es un alimento autóctono y consumido en Colombia. El objetivo de este estudio fue optimizar la fritura de AH, analizando la relación temperatura-tiempo sobre los atributos de calidad. Las muestras se formularon con masa de maíz y huevos de gallina, en forma de placa circular. La inmersión se realizó en aceite de palma®, utilizando un diseño central compuesto rotable. La humedad disminuyó con el aumento de los factores. Las muestras fritas a temperaturas altas y tiempos cortos absorbieron el menor contenido de grasa. La luminosidad disminuyó con el aumento de la temperatura, mientras que la variación del color y la dureza aumentaron con el tiempo del proceso. La deseabilidad máxima fue de 0,84 obteniendo la mejor combinación de los factores a 180,8 °C y 364,8 s. La optimización de la fritura hace posible obtener AH con bajo contenido de grasa.

ABSTRACT Fried foodstuffs are consumed by their characteristics of palatability and texture. However, one of the main disadvantages is the high oil content that these acquire, which is classified as a risk for health. Hence, strategies have been developed in order to control frying process and obtain products with a lower fat content. The arepa con huevo (AH) is an autochthonous and consumed foodstuff in Colombia. The objective of this study was to optimize the frying of AH, analyzing the temperature-time relationship on quality attributes. The samples were made in the form of a circular plate and were formulated with maize dough, and hen's eggs. The process was performed in refined palm oil® and a rotating composite central design was applied. Moisture decreased when increasing factors. The samples fried at high temperatures and short times had lowest oil uptake. The luminosity decreased with increasing temperature, whereas the color variation and the hardness increased with the time of the process. The desirability was 0.84 point where the best combination of factors was at 180.8 °C and 364.7 s. The optimization of the deep fat frying makes it possible to obtain AH with a low oil content.