Abstract:

This study aims to investigate the effects of different aging temperatures and durations on the chemical composition of tobacco leaves under sealed low-oxygen conditions. Using mid and upper-position tobacco lamina from Changde of Hunan, Huili of Sichuan, and Yunnan producing regions as test materials, four temperature-controlled treatments were designed: (1) constant air-conditioning (28℃) for 5 months; (2) natural temperature (30-32℃) for 1 month followed by air-conditioning for 4 months; (3) natural temperature for 2 months followed by air-conditioning for 3 months; (4) natural temperature for 3 months followed by air-conditioning for 2 months. The influence of these temperature control modes on the chemical composition during aging was systematically analyzed. The results demonstrated that the contents of amino acids, polyphenols, alkaloids, reducing sugars, and total sugars, as well as pH, exhibited a declining trend with prolonged aging time, while absorbance values gradually increased. No significant change was observed in total nitrogen content. The extent of chemical changes varied among tobacco leaves from different geographical origins under identical treatment conditions. Sensory evaluation revealed that tobacco subjected to 2 months of natural temperature followed by 3 months of air-conditioning achieved the highest smoking quality, consistent with the trends in chemical composition changes. Temperature-controlled aging significantly enhances the quality of tobacco lamina and effectively shortens the aging cycle, thereby supporting rapid turnover under high inventory pressure. The responsiveness of chemical transformation rates to temperature control modes displayed distinct region-specific characteristics. This study has optimized a rapid aging process for tobacco lamina in the production areas of Changde of Hunan, Huili of Sichuan, and Yunnan producing regions. The optimized process consists of a two-month initial stage in a conventional warehouse (30-32℃, 43%-54%RH), followed by a one-month stage in a temperature-controlled (28℃) air-conditioned warehouse. Subsequent temperature-controlled aging is recommended to synergistically inhibit undesirable reactions.

Key words: tobacco lamina aging, temperature control optimization, chemical composition, rapid aging process, sealed low-oxygen, sensory evaluation, inventory clearance, collaborative improvement