Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of high temperature and humidity on the ageing of processed leaf tobacco. Four(1993) or six(1994) grades (Both flued-cured and burley) of processed leaf packed in carton box were stored under the natural and artificial conditions. When the Processed leaf was stored in the controlled mom at 40℃ with 75% R.H.(1993) for 40 days, the leaf pH was decreased. The decreasing rate of leaf pH was similar to that of leaf stored under the natural warehouse condition for 15 months. The degree of lightness and yellowness of leaf also decreased, while the decaying or darkening of the leaf was observed. When the processed leaf was stored in the controlled room at 35℃ with 65% R.H.(1994) for 90 days, the pH of flue-cured was decreased 0.22, which was similar to that of the leaf stored under the natural warehouse condition for 15 months, and the lightness, and redness of the leaf were higher than those of the control. As compared with the leaf stored under the natural condition for 2 years, the smoking quality of leaf stored under this condition was similar or somewhat better. The pH of burley tobacco changed little compared to that of flue-cured during storage in this study.