Comparison of Free Water Measurement Methods in Tobacco Leaves

Two methods including Abbe Refractometer method and weighing method for measuring free water in tobacco leaves were compared in this study.. The results showed that no significant difference between the two methods was observed, with less variation of percent free water and more representitive results in weighing method. In addition, the appropriate amount of sucrose solution and soaking time of the two methods were also determined, indicating that adding 6 times more sucrose solution than tobacco leaf weight and soaking over 6 hours were suitable for the measurement of free water in tobacco leaves.