Objective To optimize the processing technology of Cubiejiɑ (vinegar-quenched Pelodisci Carapax, vqPC) and to investigate the correlation between color and intrinsic component content during processing, thereby providing a basis for process standardization and quality evaluation. Methods Using Box-Behnken design combined with response surface methodology (BBD-RSM), sand-frying temperature, sand-frying time, and drying time after vinegar quenching were selected as independent variables, while appearance characteristics, moisture content, extract contents, and the contents of six amino acids served as response variables. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method were integrated to calculate overall desirability (OD) for process optimization. Color values (L^*, a^*, b^*) of the processed powder were measured using a colorimeter and their correlations with component contents were analyzed. Results The optimal processing parameters were determined as follows: sand-frying temperature 211 ℃, sand-frying time 7 min, and drying time after vinegar quenching 121 min. Correlation analysis indicated that the L^* value showed a highly significant positive correlation with proline content (P < 0.01) and positive correlation with the contents of glycine and valine (P < 0.05). The b^* value exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with the contents of hydroxyproline, glycine, arginine, proline and valine (P < 0.01). The a^* value showed a highly significant negative correlation with glycine content (P < 0.01) and a significant negative correlation with arginine and valine content (P < 0.05). The E^* value showed a significant positive correlation with proline content (P < 0.05). Regression analysis further confirmed quantitative relationships between color values and the contents of multiple components. Conclusion The combination of AHP-CRITIC and BBD-RSM provides a scientific approach for optimizing the processing technology of vqPC. The significant correlations between color parameters and chemical components offer a new method for establishing its quality evaluation system.

vinegar-quenched Pelodisci Carapax  /  processing technology  /  AHP-CRITIC weighting method  /  Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology  /  chroma  /  correlation analysis