Effects of storage and aging measures on temperature and humidity inside tobacco bales and quality of flue-cured tobacco

To explore the optimal storage and aging measures for flue-cured tobacco leaves and improve tobacco quality, an experiment was carried out to study the effects of different storage and aging measures on the temperature and humidity inside tobacco bales and the appearance quality, chemical composition and sensory quality of tobacco at Longchuan River basin in Baoshan. There were six treatments: Treatment 1, uncovered tobacco leaves (CK, T1); Treatments 2, 3, 4, 5, tobacco leaves packed by linen cloth (T2), straw mat (T3), white film (T4) and black film (T5); Treatment 6, tobacco leaves sprayed with a mixed enzymatic agent and packed by black film (T6). The results showed that: 1) The moisture content in leaves and the humidity inside bales of T6, T5 and T4 were significantly lower than those of T1, T2 and T3, while the temperature inside bales of T6, T5 and T4 was slightly higher than that of the other three treatments. 2) After treatment for 90 days, the leaf color of T6 turned dark slightly, green faded somewhat, chromaticity enhanced, and appearance quality was improved to a certain extent. 3) Under the catalysis of mixed enzymatic agent, the contents of total sugar, total nitrogen and protein in leaves of T6 reduced slightly, while reduce sugar increased somewhat, and chemical composition tended to be harmonious. 4) After treatment for 90 days, the aroma quality, aroma quantity, offensive odor and aftertaste of leaves of T6 were obviously better than those of T1, T2 and T3; the sensory quality was obviously improved by T6. ©, 2015, Editorial Office of Tobacco Science and Technology. All right reserved.