Innovative non-thermal technologies affecting potato tuber and fried potato quality

Potatoes are important tubers for human consumption, providing an essential source of energy and great nutritional characteristics for human health. However, before consumption, potato tubers need to be stored and processed. As frying is the most common technique used in potato processing, fried potato is the most important processed potato product. Some food characteristics, provided by the frying process, are considered desirable, but others are harmful to human health and, thereby the main challenge is to reduce the formation of the undesirable characteristics, without compromising the sensorial attributes. In this review, the origin, economic importance, morphology and composition of potato tubers are presented. Afterwards, some factors affecting potato tuber quality, not only for human consumption, but also for further processing are addressed. Then, potato processing is discussed with a focus on the frying process, including the textural, chemical and nutritional changes induced by frying and the main characteristics affecting the quality of fried potato products. Finally, a special focus is given to the novel emerging non-thermal technologies and a brief review of their effects on potato tuber and fried potato quality is provided. Irradiation, cold plasma, ultrasounds, pulsed electric fields and high pressure processing are innovative non-thermal technologies with potential to be an alternative for the traditional treatments of potato tubers and to be applied as a frying pre-treatment, improving time and energy for slicing and cooking, and creating improved and healthier fried potatoes. Further studies are needed to better understand the subjacent biochemical mechanisms.