Composition and Contents of Neutral Aroma Components and Alkaloids in Flue-Cured Tobacco from Full Flavor Tobacco Growing Regions

In order to understand the characteristics of composition and contents of neutral aroma components and alkaloids in flue-cured tobacco from full flavor tobacco growing regions, Tobacco leaf samples from eight full-flavor tobacco growing regions were taken and determined. The results showed that total content of neutral aroma components was the highest (1107.93 μg/g) in central and south of Henan Province, the lowest (558.04 μg/g) in south of Anhui. The contents of β-damascone and β-Dihydro damascone degraded by carotene, furfural of brown reaction products, benzyl alcohol, phenyl acetaldehyde, phenyl ethyl alcohol of aromatic amino acid cleavage products, and solanone and neophytadiene of alkane degradation cypress products were all higher than similar products. There was significant difference among regions, reflecting the style characteristic of flue-cured tobacco from full flavor tobacco growing regions. Alkaloids content ranged from 2.33% to 3.71%, with a mean of 2.71%. Nicotine content ranged from 2.05% to 3.31%, with a mean of 2.40%. Nornicotine contents of full-flavor tobacco growing regions were all lower and less than 5%. The content of neutral aroma components existed significant difference among regions. Alkaloids of flue-cured tobacco in 8 full-flavor growing regions all fall in the range of good quality flue-cured tobacco range.