The effects of canola, corn, partially hydrogenated soy (PHS), partially hydrogenated canola (PHC), and Iow-linolenate canola (LLC) oils on sensory and chemical attributes of tortilla chips were determined initially, after Schaal storage for 8 and 16 d ($8 and $16), and after practical storage for 16 and 24 wk (P16 and P24). Fresh chips were similar to each other in characteristic and off-odors/flavors, except that PHC chips had the lowest characteristic and highest offodor/flavor. All $8 chips had similar lower (P < 0.001) characteristic and greater off-odor/flavor scores than hidden reference chips, but PHC chips had a more intense off-odor than did LLC chips. After $1 6, canola chips had the lowest (P < 0.001) characteristic and highest off-odor/flavor; all other chips were similar. At P16, canola, PHC, and LLC chips had slightly higher (P< 0.001) characteristic odor/flavor scores than other chips. After P1 6 and P24, all stored tortilla chips had lower characteristic odor/flavor scores than hidden reference chips. Rancid, painty, buttery odor/flavor, and bitter flavor notes were detected in Schaal and practically stored chips. Stored chips from all oils were similar in color and crispness. The peroxide value and the p-anisidine value for oils extracted from Schaal-stored chips tended to support panelist data; results from similar analyses of practically stored chips did not. Peroxide values and p-anisidine values for stored used frying oils and the corresponding sensory data for stored chips generally did not agree. Results indicate considerable potential for increasing use of canola oil products for frying tortilla chips. JAOCS 72, 1123JAOCS 72, -1130JAOCS 72, (1995.
KEY WORDS:Canola, corn and soybean oils, sensory/chemical storage stability, tortilla chips.Current consumer preference for foods low in saturated fats has increased the use of polyunsaturated fats and oils for fried snack foods (1). Because canola oil (C) is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linolenic acid (18:3n-3), it is prone to oxidation, hydrolysis, and thermal degradation during heating. Thus more saturated oils, such as cottonseed (2), corn, and sunflower (3), are used more frequently than canola and soybean in snack-food manufacture. Partial hydrogenation of oils, such as canola, should improve thermal stability due to decreased amounts of linolenic acid (4,5). Recently