Abstract: In order to determine the optimal method for drying Apostichopus japonicus gonads, the effects of four drying methods, namely, hot air drying, cold air drying, microwave drying and vacuum freezing drying, on the lipid composition, lipid stability and fatty acid nutritional value of A. japonicus gonads were analyzed and compared. The results showed that the contents of total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides and astaxanthin reduced to different degrees after drying treatments. The peroxide value (POV) significantly reduced, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value significantly increased (P < 0.05). In terms of fatty acid nutritional values, the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices decreased to different degrees after drying treatments, and the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic indices increased significantly (P < 0.05). The results of electronic nose analysis showed significant differences in odor characteristics among dried samples obtained using different drying methods. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) identified 28 volatile substances from fresh and dried samples, among which, 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine was detected only in microwave-dried samples, while pentanal and ethyl acetate were odor-active substances unique to cold air-dried samples. In conclusion, vacuum freeze drying effectively slowed down the rate of lipid oxidation, but the samples were relatively bland in odor. Hot air, cold air and microwave drying all promoted lipid oxidation, but improved the nutritional value of fatty acids and enriched the odor characteristics of the samples. The results of this study could provide a theoretical basis for the processing and utilization of A. japonicus gonads.

Key words: Apostichopus japonicus gonads; drying methods; lipid composition; nutritional value; volatile substances