In the first series of studies, the spread was added directly to the
frying oil before heating. A total of 5 concentrations were tested,
each on two separate occasions, for a total of 10 discrimination
tests utilizing fried tortilla chips. At concentrations of 1.5% and 2%
rice bran oil spread by weight, the panel as a whole was able to
distinguish tortilla chips fried in these oils from chips fried in a control
soybean oil. At intermediate concentrations (1.0 and 0.5%), the
threshold value was reached only half of the time. At 0.25% rice
bran oil spread, the sensory panel was unable to reliably distinguish
between samples. The data suggest that a sensory panel is capable
of distinguishing a frying oil incorporating a rice bran oil spread
from one that does not, when the concentration of the additive
reaches 0.5% to 1% by weight. At this concentration, the rice bran
oil-derived ingredient still affords oxidative protection to the frying
oil.