Contents and Distribution of Mn and Zn in Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

The content of heavy metals in tobacco leaves has great influence on the safety of cigarettes. To make the distribution of heavy metals in flue-cured tobacco leaves clear, ICP-OES was applied to test the distribution of Mn and Zn in flue-cured tobacco leaves. Each tobacco leaf was divided into 3 zones, namely A and B and C. It was found that:(1) The average contents of Mn and Zn in flue-cured tobacco leaves from Linyi tobacco areas were (124.90±16.72) and (29.45±7.83) mg/kg. (2) The content of Mn was the highest in lower tobacco leaves and the least in upper leaves. However, the content of Zn was the highest in upper leaves and the least in lower leaves. (3) The contents of Mn and Zn both showed a trend of getting higher from edge to center of a tobacco leaf. The contents of Mn and Zn were both less in the base and top, and higher in the center of a single tobacco leaf. This study could provide guidance for industrial application of tobacco leaves.