Sensory Preference, Coating Evenness, Dustiness, and Transfer Efficiency of Electrostatically Coated Potato Chips

Barbeque, sour cream and onion, salt and vinegar, nacho cheese, and salsa seasonings were applied to potato chips at 0 and 25 kV. Sensory evaluation determined that electrostatically coated chips had better coating uniformity and were significantly preferred to nonelectrostatically coated samples. Electrostatic coating was also more even as measured by colorimetry. Particle size and evenness of coating did not significantly affect perceived flavor intensity. Electrostatic coating significantly increased transfer efficiency and decreased dust over nonelectrostatic coating. Particle size and flowability can be used to predict transfer efficiency and dustiness. Chargeability was also important for electrostatic transfer efficiency. Particle size was the most important factor overall.