Abstract

The moisture contents of threshed leaf tobacco during aging storage were very important factor for the improvement or deterioration of leaf quality. Decay and carbonization of leaf tobacco were mainly controlled by moisture contents during storage. The influence of moisture contents on the decay and carbonization of threshed leaf tobacco (Flue-Cured, Var. NC 82. AB3O-1 grade) were examined during 1 year. The moisture contents of leaf tobacco were treated to 3 kg as 12% (controle), 16%, 20% and 24% after redrying, respectively, These tobacco were put into center of carton box containing about 200kg with 12%'s tobacco, and then packed and stored from June, 1988 under natural weather condition in warehouse at Ock-Cheon threshing plant. Samples were taken from dissected carton box at 0, 1, 2, 4, 7 and 12 months after moisture treatment and Racking time, and some chemical properties were investigated at every sampling time. In results of inducement to decay and carbonization of leaf tobaccos during 1 year's storage by moisture treatment. decayed leaf was appeared but carbonized leaf did not. Calorification and decayed leaf occurred at high moisture contents above 20%, and these phenomena were appeared between 30 and 150 days after moisture treatment and packing. High moisture content leaves (above 20%) caused nearby other leaves to be sunk with high moisture content. Nicotine and calcium contents were increased to 20%~30% and 10%~22%, respectively, but total sugar contents was decreased to 40%~60% by moisture treatment(20% ~24% ).

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