The Effect of Effective Microorganisms on the Quality of Potato Chips and French Fries

Abstract

The aim of the work is to develop innovative technology for potato cultivation aimed at potato food processing with the use of effective microorganisms (EMs), limiting the chemicalization of agriculture. The basis for the research was a field experiment established by the randomized subblock method, in three repetitions, where two factors were examined: cultivation technologies (3) and potato varieties (14). The influence of experimental factors on the quality of French fries (FF) and potato chips (PC) was investigated. The water content was assessed by the drying method, and the fat content by the Soxhlet method. The sensory assessment was performed by a team of 10 panelists in accordance with EN ISO methodology. In the production of both FF and PC, cultivation technologies using EMs contributed to a significant reduction in the absorption of fats and a significant reduction in the disadvantages of FF, the so-called “dark ends”, and the sensory characteristics of these products have not deteriorated. Potato obtained from cultivation in the EM system is a better raw material for the production of FF and PC than potato from plantations without the use of effective microorganisms. The beneficial effects of these preparations depended on the exposure time to EMs and the potato variety.