Flow properties, water retention capacity (WRC), and fat and moisture barrier properties at different temperatures (5, 15 and 25 8C) of a
batter formulation containing 1, 1.5 and 2% methylcellulose (MC) were investigated and compared with a commercial batter formulation
without MC (control), using squid rings as the food matrix. The Ostwald-de Waele model provided a good fit for the flow behaviour of the
batters. MC produced a significant increase in the consistency and shear-thinning behaviour of the batters, this effect being more evident at
higher levels of MC addition. MC batters showed a higher WRC than the control, and their WRC increased with MC concentration. It was
seen that the temperature at which the prepared batters were held and applied as a coating for the squid rings had a significant effect on the
flow properties and WRC, and on the fat and moisture barrier properties developed during the pre-frying step and final frying. Lower
temperatures produced a considerable increase in the consistency and WRC of the MC batters. For T ¼ 15 8C the flow properties of the 1%
MC batter were very similar to those of the control. The MC batters provided final products with significantly less oil absorption and more
moisture retention than the control fried battered products. Also, these MC oil and moisture barrier properties seem to be more evident during
the pre-frying step (first 30 s), upon contacting the hot oil.
q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.