A novel hybrid MCDM framework combining TOPSIS, PROMETHEE II, and VIKOR for peach drying method selection

Abstract

The selection of optimal drying technologies for peach processing presents a complex decision-making challenge due to multiple conflicting criteria. This study introduces a novel hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework combining TOPSIS, VIKOR, and PROMETHEE II methods to evaluate eight drying technologies. The evaluation was conducted across twelve criteria, encompassing product quality, operational efficiency, economic factors, and environmental impact. Data were collected from five industry experts through structured matrices. The results demonstrate that vacuum drying emerged as the optimal technology, maintaining the top position in 75 % of sensitivity scenarios. Freeze drying and heat pump drying consistently ranked among the top three alternatives across all methods. The correlation analysis revealed strong agreement between VIKOR and PROMETHEE II rankings (0.857), while TOPSIS provided complementary insights. Sensitivity analysis identified energy consumption, investment cost, and nutritional retention as the most critical factors influencing technology selection. The findings indicate that advanced drying technologies significantly outperform traditional methods in terms of overall performance. This research provides a comprehensive framework for evidence-based decision-making in food processing technology selection and establishes quantitative benchmarks for future technology evaluations in the fruit drying industry.