Effect of Basil Seed Mucilage Coating on the Oil Absorption and Physical Characteristics of Fried Zucchini Slices

In this study, the efficiency of Basil seeds mucilage (BSM) as an edible coating (three concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) and the temperature of frying oil (three concentrations of 155°C, 170°C, and 185°C) on reduces oil absorption and moisture retention of zucchini slices during the frying process were investigated. The color index includes a* (redness), b* (yellowness), L* (lightness), and color change intensity (∆E) was used to determines the appearance changes of fried zucchini slices. The BSM coating treatment reduced the oil absorption of fried zucchini slices by approximately 22.48%. Increasing the BSM concentration from 0.0% to 1.5% significantly decreased the oil absorption of zucchini slices from 8.96% to 6.94% (P lt;0.05). On the other hand, the moisture content of the samples increased from 83.9% to 86.88% with increasing gum concentration (P lt;0.05). The lowest ∆E and surface shrinkage (%) values were obtained for zucchini slices treated with 1.5 % BSM and fried at 155°C. By increasing the BSM concentration from 0.0% to 1.5% significantly decreased the percentage change in surface area of fried zucchini slices from 33.13% to 26.41% (P lt;0.05). The appropriate coating suspension and frying temperature to reduce oil absorption and moisture retention of fried zucchini slices were 0.5% BSM and 155°C, respectively.