Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Discontinuous frying of breaded chicken in cottonseed oil was evaluated. Three 400 g batches of foodstuff were fried daily in a 28 L fryer at 182 degrees C for 4.5 minutes for 7-8 days, and the experiment was repeated three times. The total polar compounds in the oil were determined by the conventional method. Changes in the oil were determined by the quick tests Testo 265, Viscofrit and Fri-check based on physical constants, and the results were compared with those of total polar compounds obtained by the conventional method. The free fatty acids, conjugated dienes, Lovibond color, oxidative stability, fatty acid composition, and polymeric compounds were also determined. During frying, the oil samples presented 6.0-39.2% total polar compounds, 0.0-12.9% polymerized triacylglycerols, 1.3-14.5% oxidized triacylglycerols, 2.8-11.0% diacylglycerols, and 1.6-2.6% fatty acids and unsaponifiable polar compounds. The breaded chicken samples lost moisture, absorbed oil up to approximately 6%, and there were small changes in the fatty acid composition and low formation of trans-isomers. The best method for monitoring and discarding the oil was that used for the determination of total polar compounds.324692700Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPq [Process: 140387/2005-6]