Drying method-dependent flavor quality and iodine speciation in dried shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis): A multi-dimensional flavoromics approach integrating GC-O-MS/AEDA, SIDA quantification, aroma reconstitution, and EEG neuroperception

Freeze-dried shrimp retained 575 g/kg umami intensity and 6.57 mg/kg iodide. • Infrared-dried shrimp scored highest in overall liking (8.19 on a 10-point scale). • Thirty key odorants distinguished the four dried-shrimp aroma styles. • Sun-dried shrimp held the least iodide (1.15 mg/kg) and the most rancid notes. • Hot-air drying produced the strongest roast notes yet depleted iodide and umami. This study investigated the effects of four drying methods, hot-air drying (HAD), sun drying (SD), vacuum freeze-drying (VFD), and infrared radiation drying (IRD), on flavor quality and iodine nutritional characteristics of dried shrimp ( Fenneropenaeus chinensis ) using a multi-dimensional flavoromics approach. HS-SPME-GC-O-MS with aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) identified 94 volatile compounds, from which 30 key odorants (OAV ≥ 1, FD ≥ 64) were quantified by stable isotope dilution assay. OPLS-DA (R 2 Y = 0.97, Q 2  = 0.94) discriminated the four groups, with dimethyl trisulfide (VIP = 3.49) and 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine (VIP = 3.39) as core markers for VFD and HAD, respectively. Aroma recombination and omission experiments validated the identification completeness. VFD maximized freshness retention (EUC = 575 g MSG/kg) and iodine preservation (6.57 mg/kg; iodide/total iodine = 0.615), yet its sensory acceptability (6.33/10) was inferior to IRD (8.19) and HAD (7.37) due to lacking roasted complexity. EEG olfactory perception confirmed that IRD elicited the most balanced cortical response with the highest alpha-band power (12.23 μV 2 /Hz). A fundamental trade-off exists among freshness retention, roasted aroma development, and iodine preservation, with no single method dominating all dimensions. IRD is recommended as the optimal industrial drying method, achieving the best three-dimensional quality balance. Download: Download high-res image (498KB) Download: Download full-size image