Abstract:To identify the changes in flavor characteristics of Pi Xian Douban (special grade, first grade, second grade) after being stir-fried, the sensory quantitative description method (QDA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-IMS) technology were combined to analyze the differences in flavor characteristics and flavor compounds, and to explore the taste characteristics of Pi Xian Douban after stir frying. The results indicate that the moisture content of Douban affected the formation of flavor after stir frying. QDA analysis revealed that premium Douban had the lowest moisture content, and presented good fruit, wine, malt, and roasted flavors after stir frying. The higher moisture content of first and second grade Douban results in significant differences in sensory ratings compared to premium Douban, but has a relatively small impact on the main sauce aroma of Douban. GC-IMS detected a total of 45 compounds, including 11 alcohols, 9 aldehydes, 8 esters, 6 ketones, 5 alkenes, 2 acids, 2 heptane, 1 pyridine, and 1 furan. Many compounds remain unidentified. After stir frying, the proportion of alcohols in Douban increased from 14% to 37%, and esters significantly increased from 2% to 11%. This indicates that stir frying transforms and concentrates a large amount of alcohol in Douban through the Maillard reaction, resulting in fruity, alcoholic, malt sweet, sour, and grassy aromas. High temperature stir frying also converts some aldehydes into esters and ketones, transforming the sauce aroma of Douban into burnt and greasy aromas. This study reveals the differences in volatile flavor compounds after stir frying different grades of Pi Xian Douban, which can provide technical support and guidance for the deep processing and innovative development of Pi Xian Douban.