Table 1 shows absolute retention of trans a- and trans b-carotene after vacuum and atmospheric frying of carrot slices using thermal driving forces of 60 C and 80 C. A thermal driving force of 60 C during vacuum frying results in minor degradation of both trans a- and trans b-carotene (only 10.5% and 13.6% degradation, respectively). When the thermal driving force was increased (DT = 80 C), absolute retention was about 60%, which is still much higher than the absolute retention found in atmospheric fried crisps.