Process standardization and storability of calcium fortified potato chips through vacuum impregnation

Processed potato products such as potato chips are widely consumed among vulnerable (children and teenager), therefore can be used as an ideal carrier for targeted nutrient's delivery i.e. macronutrient calcium. The present study was carried out to standardize the process for development of calcium fortified potato chips through vacuum impregnation technique and to explore the acceptability of developed product through storage study of 3 months period at ambient storage conditions (~ 250 °C, 51% RH) in LDPE (low density polyethylene) packaging. Fortification of potato chips was done at 15 mm Hg vacuum pressure with GRAS fortificant of calcium (calcium chloride, E509) using different combinations of blanching time, vacuum time, and restoration time as per Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. optimization was done on the basis of fortified calcium content as well as hardness of the end product. Results showed optimized process conditions (calcium chloride at 1.05% level, blanching for 1.69 min, vacuum exposure for 14.99 min, and rest time of 15.80 min) can fortify potato chips at 700 mg/100 g of calcium level with acceptable sensory attributes. The standardized product was also evaluated for its structural attributes through surface electron microscopy, flavor (umami) compounds along with shelf life. The developed fortified product has 4.5 and 7.1 times higher calcium content than its control and commercial counterparts respectively. Storage studies parameters (FFA value, PV value, sensory attributes and non enzymatic browning) showed that the fortified potato chips were acceptable up to 60 days of storage at ambient condition. Thus, calcium fortification through vacuum impregnation technique for a widely acceptable potato based snacks can be helpful in changing the perception of consumers for potato based snacks from the category of 'Junk food to Healthy food'.