In this study, a multiobjective optimization (MOO) approach
was
utilized for effective decision-making when several variables were
changing simultaneously during frying. Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC),
xanthan gum, and carrageenan coatings in different concentrations
(0.25–1.50%, w/v) were applied on fish strips to reduce the
oil uptake and protein oxidation during frying. The pickup of the
strips increased significantly (
p
< 0.05) with
increasing concentration. The CMC was effective in oil uptake reduction
and protein oxidation, as revealed by the lower carbonyl and sulfhydryl
contents in the fried strip. The hardness and chewiness of the coated
fish strips were found to be declined significantly (
p
< 0.05) with increasing coating concentrations. The moisture,
lipid, toughness, hardness, cutting force, oiliness, sulfhydryl content
(all min), oil uptake reduction, and carbonyl content (both max) were
considered as multiple criteria for the MOO technique, and fried strips
coated with 1% CMC, followed by 0.75% xanthan gum and 0.75% carrageenan,
emerged as the best optimal coating.