Sample temperature effect on textural and firmness parameters and sensory attributes of
fresh and frozen/thawed natural and commercial mashed potatoes was studied. SEM was used to
obtain information on the structure of potato cells and how this is affected by processing. Instrumental
parameters or sensory attributes were found to increase at 55 °C, which could be related to
gelatinisation of the remaining starch in the products. In natural mashed potato, TPA and firmness
parameters were lower in processed than in fresh samples, indicating a weakening of the structure, as
confirmed by microphotographs. In commercial mashed potato, TPA parameters at 55 and 65 °C and
firmness parameters at 25 °C were higher in the processed samples, indicating enhanced structural
strength as confirmed by microphotographs. Firmness per gram of product was the best instrumental
parameter for measuring texture in these products. The results of the different analyses indicated that
55 °C was the preferred sample temperature for consumption of mashed potatoes.