OBJECTIVE To optimize the heat-process technology of Sarcandra glabra by combination of Box-Behnken design-response surface method and AHP-entropy weight method.

METHODS The contents of neochlorogenic acid, eleutheroside B1, isofraxidin, astilbin and rosmarinic acid, as well as the yield of total flavonoids and total phenolic acids were used as evaluation indexes. The AHP-entropy weight method was used to determine the comprehensive weight coefficient of each evaluation index for evaluation and analysis. And the heat-process technology was optimized. With temperature, frequency and time as the key process parameters, the level of each factor was determined by single factor experiment. The Box-Behnken design-response surface method was used to construct the three-factor and three-level experimental design scheme, and the comprehensive evaluation was carried out by combining the comprehensive weight coefficient. The DPPH free radical scavenging experiment was conducted to verify the effect of green removal on the antioxidant capacity of grass coral. Established a design space for process validation.

RESULTS The optimal processing method for Sarcandra glabra was hot air drying process. The optimal process conditions obtained through response surface optimization were a blanching temperature of 60 ℃, a blanching frequency of 2 times, and a blanching time of 50 s. DPPH free radical scavenging experiment verified that grass coral could enhance its antioxidant activity in vitro after hot processing. The design space was established as follows: 1−2 times, 60−62 °C, 55−65 s.

CONCLUSION The optimized heat-process technology is reasonable, stable and feasible, which can provide theoretical and experimental basis for the initial processing of Sarcandra glabra.