Impact of additives to lower the formation of acrylamide in a potato model system through pH reduction and other mechanisms

The impact on acrylamide formation of several additives was investigated as well as the mechanisms behind it. In a potato powder model system, sodium acid pyrophosphate, citric, acetic and l-lactic acid significantly reduced the final acrylamide content, merely due to the lowering of the pH. Free glycine, l-lysine and l-cysteine also lowered acrylamide, while keeping the pH at its original level. l-glutamine increased the formation of acrylamide. A synergistic acrylamide lowering effect was observed, adding citric acid and glycine or l-lysine to the model system. Yet, a combination of these amino acids with acetic acid appeared to induce a restricted antagonistic acrylamide lowering effect. Calcium and magnesium ions induced a supplementary acrylamide reduction in addition to a lower pH of the food matrix. No lowering effect was however observed upon NaCl addition to the model system.