Higher rate of moisture loss was observed during the first 60 s of frying due to high evaporation rates of moisture from the product. The pressure variations in the control and the MC-coated chicken nuggets were also higher during this period as discussed subsequently. Steep negative slopes were observed in the moisture loss graphs during the first 30 s and the steepness in the slopes reduced to become more curvilinear with the increase in the frying time. Similarly, high positive slopes were observed in the pressure graphs (Figs. 6e11), during the initial frying period. This degree of steepness in the slopes was higher in the control nuggets than the MCcoated nuggets in both the moisture and pressure graphs. As discussed in the pressure section (see Figs. 6e11), the control nuggets had higher magnitudes of positive pressure for longer time periods than the MC-coated nuggets, which may be the reason for higher moisture loss by control nuggets.