Background:

Consumption of fried foods in Mexico is high, even though fats in fried foods are associated with non-communicable chronic diseases.

Objective:

Evaluate the chemical composition and fat quality obtained from fried corn churros prepared and consumed in Navojoa, state of Sonora, Mexico.

Materials and Methods:

Four samples ob tained from commercial establishments were subjected to proximal chemical analysis and determination of fat quality indices (acidity, alkalinity, iodine and anisidine), according to Mexican standards.

Results:

The nutritional breakdown of the samples is shown in the following ranges, expressed as grams % (g %): fats (23.7 ± 0.2 and 35.2 ± 1.0 g %), proteins (2.5 ± 0.0 and 8.1 ± 1.4 g %), carbohydrates (54.1 ± 0.3 and 64.4 ± 0.5 g %), and energy (kcal) (485 ± 3 and 531 ± 1) with significant differences between samples (p<0.05). The highest fat and energy content was presented by sample B2 and the best nutritional profile by sample B4. Sample B1 exceeded the maximum limits of acidity (4.8) and alkalinity (10.6) with a significant inter-sample difference (p <0.05).

Conclusion:

The energy density of the sampled fried corn churros is high (above 4 kcal/gram), as well as the fat content, especially in sample B2. Sample B4 presents the best nutrition profile and sample B1 the greatest oxidative deterioration.

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