Evaluation of the Main Quality Characteristics of K394 Flue-tobacco Leaves in the Main Tobacco-producing Areas in Argentina

In order to understand the main quality characteristics of K394 tobacco leaves in the main tobacco producing areas of Argentina and the quality difference with domestic highly flavored-type tobacco leaves, 137 different grades of tobacco leaves collected from Salta and Jujuy provinces of Argentina were analyzed, and the differences between appearance quality, chemical composition and organoleptic quality of 30 C3F grades of tobacco leaves (Hunan,Yunyan87; Henan,Qinyan96) collected from main producing areas of strong aroma style in China and the correlation between the total organoleptic quality score and the chemical composition index were analyzed. The results showed that:(1) The scores of oil and color of Argentine K394 B1O grade tobacco were significantly higher than that of Hunan and Henan C3F grade tobacco, the chemical composition of K394 from Argentina is characterized as "low sugar, middle K₂O, high alkaloids, high nitrogen", and the scores of gas diffusiveness, irritation, dryness and aftertaste were significantly different from those of domestic tobacco leaves. (2) Salta K394 leaves were softer and more delicate, slightly lighter, less irritating, with moderate strength, better sweetness; Jujuy K394 leaves were more transmisive and explosive, slightly stronger, gradually less sweetness. (3) The regression analysis showed that alkaloids and reducing sugar were key chemical composition indicators affecting the sensory quality of K394 tobacco leaves in the main tobacco-producing areas of Argentina, showing a negative correlation.