This paper focused on the effect of different frying methods on the quality of chicken breast meat. Fresh boned broiler chicken breast meat samples were purchased, frozen, sliced into dimensions. These samples were cooked by air frying (AF) and deep fat frying (DF) methods at 170°C, 180°C and 190°C for 4, 8, 12- and 16-min. Cooking yield and loss were assessed by weight changes before and after frying and tenderness changes were determined by measuring the compression force using instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA). The sensory acceptance and preferences were conducted on the samples by panel of judges. Cooking yield of fried chicken breast meat decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing frying temperature and time. Air fried (AF) samples had higher mean cooking yield value of 59.26 % than DF method sample of 50.00%. Samples fried at lower frying times had significantly (p < 0.05) higher cooking yield compared with longer frying times. Cooking loss increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing frying temperature and time. Samples fried with hot air adopting AF method had lower average cooking loss (40.20%), fat content (6.62 %) and higher compression force (hardness) value (12.39 kg/F) than samples fried by DF method which had higher cooking loss (49.47 %) and lower compression force or hardness (12.18 kg/F) and higher fat content (11.88 %). Samples fried for 4 min had significantly (p < 0.05) the least value in cooking loss and tenderness, but 8 min fried samples had better sensory attributes than 4 min fried samples, which were pinkish colour in appearance and unappetizing to consumers. Air frying method with the best tenderness value (20.43 ± 1.15 Kg/F), while deep fat frying method-produced samples with its best tenderness value (18.89 ± 0.70 Kg/ F) at 170°C for 16 min. Sensory evaluation showed that DF products were moderately crispy (7.19) compared to AF products, which were slightly crispy (5.45). The interaction effect of frying method, frying temperature and frying time was significant for cooking yield, loss and tenderness. However, the overall interaction (frying method x frying temperature x frying time) was found to be significant in coking yield and loss, but not significant in tenderness.

The study was conducted to ascertain the effect of thermal treatments on selected minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Fe and Zn) and water soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12 and C) contents of chicken breast meat. Industrial skinless chicken breast meat samples were purchased, transported to Bioprocess laboratory in cool conditions, frozen and sliced into dimensions and thawed. The samples were cooked by air frying (AF), baking (BK), deep fat frying (DF) and grilling (GR) at 170, 180 and 1900C for 0, 4, 8 and 12 min for minerals and 0, 8 and 16 min for vitamins. Thereafter, cooked and raw samples were wet acid digested overnight and 5 h digested on a block digester on slowly increased temperature to 1200C, cooled and deionized. The mineral elements were analysed by Optima 4300DV inductivity coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductivity coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These mineral elements were extrapolated through a calibration curve between intensity and concentration, while the vitamins were ascertained by measurement of absorbance of filtrates of the samples dissolved in their respective solvents in the Spectrophotometer against their blank samples at different wavelengths. The results showed that cooking methods decreased significantly (p < 0.05) the mineral elements with an exception of Zn cooked by grilling (GR) that increased by 19.92% and Mg that increased in the cooking methods. The ascending percentage reduction of minerals in cooked chicken breast were Zn, P, K, Fe, Na and Ca. Samples cooked by DF had significantly (p < 0.05) higher percentage reduction of 45.06% in Ca, 27.74% in Na and 18.85% in Zn and higher percentage increases of 14.96% in Mg contents than other methods. Also samples cooked by DF had higher percentage reductions of 55.10%, 37.93%, 37.11%, 34.44% and 30.99% in vitamins B1, C, B2, B9 and B6  Whereas higher percentage reductions of 41.67% and 37.84 % in vitamins B12 and B3 occurred in baking (Bk) and grilling (GR) treated samples. Cooking at 1900C had higher percent reduction in the Ca, Na, Fe, K, P and Zn as well as B1, B12, B2, C, B3, B9 and B6. Cooking methods, temperatures and times decreased significantly (p < 0.05) vitamins and minerals contents of chicken breast meat with an exception of Mg. Samples cooked at 1700C for 4 min and 1700C for 8 min had lower losses of minerals and vitamins compared to similar samples cooked at 1800C and 1900C. The AF cooking method had the least percent reduction of 22.50% than other cooking methods BK (26.88%), DF (36.04%) and GR (30.69%) in vitamin contents.

The effect of cooking on pH, juiciness, instrumental colour and microstructural properties of chicken breast meat was investigated. Industrial skinless chicken breast meat samples were purchased, frozen and sliced into dimensions , thawed and cooked by air frying (AF), baking (BK), deep fat frying (DF) and grilling (GR) at  170, 180 and 1900C for 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 min. The pH value of the cooked samples increased from 6.05 to 6.25. Cooking methods, temperatures and times each resulted to increase in pH. The results of objective sensory instrumental analyses showed that cooking decreased significantly (p < 0.05) juiciness of cooked chicken breast meat. Samples cooked by BK had the highest juiciness value of 24.91%, while DF cooked samples had the least value of 13.89%.The instrumental analyses increased L*, a*, b* values and browning index. The temperature and time of cooking showed similar effects on juiciness and instrumental colour. Short cooking time (8 min) and 1700C resulted in higher juiciness and best appetizing appearance to the consumers. The microstructure studies showed that raw chicken breast meat had an intact muscle fibres and bundles, but cooking caused disintegration of muscle fibres, perimysial – collagen shrinkage and it resulted to drier samples with big cracks/ voids and big surface damages, particularly in AF, BK and GR cooked products at 1900C for 8 min.