[Objectives]To explore the effects of different sterilization conditions on nutrition and flavor of apple vinegar.[Methods]Five kinds of high temperature short time (HTST) sterilization conditions were selected to treat apple vinegar,and the volatile aroma components and the content of active components in apple vinegar before and after sterilization were analyzed.[Results]Compared with the control,the contents of total acid and malic acid in the samples after sterilization changed little,but the contents of citric acid increased significantly (P<0.01),and the contents of total phenols,ascorbic acid and total flavonoids decreased.Ethyl acetate,isopentyl acetate,ethyl caprylate,phenethyl acetate,1-pentanol,phenylethyl alcohol,acetic acid,and sec-butyl ether were the characteristic aroma components which contributed to the flavor of apple vinegar.As sterilization temperature increased,the content of esters decreased,while the content of acids,alcohols and aldehydes increased.The contents of nutrition,active components and volatile aroma components in apple vinegar under 100 ℃ and 30 s sterilization conditions had little change compared with other sterilization conditions,so 100 ℃ and 30 s were the optimal sterilization conditions.[Conclusions]Under different sterilization conditions,the content of flavor components in apple vinegar will change greatly,which will affect the quality of apple vinegar.