Study on Physical and Chemical Properties of Domestic and Imported Paper-Process Reconstituted Tobacco

Abstract

To learn differences between Chinese domestic and imported paper-process reconstituted tobacco (RT), their physical properties and chemical components were tested systemically and in-depth. The results indicated that: (1) Domestic RT were generally similar to the imported on physical properties. There were just some slight differences in filling power, combustibility (domestic RT were better than the imported), and density (the imported slightly lowered than the former). And all products were advised to improve their water contents. (2) Imported RT were higher in contents of total sugar, reducing sugar, nicotine and protein than domestic samples, whereas lower in Potassium contents; (3) Although there were no significant differences in contents of volatile alkali and total non-volatile acid between domestic RT and imported RT, volatile acid contents of the former were lower than that of the latter. Also all pH value of samples was near equal and showed very weak acidic. (4) Contents of poly-phenol, chlorogenic acid, rutin and petroleum ether extract of imported RT were higher than that of domestic products, while cellulose contents were lower. (5) The overall high contents in total sugar, reducing sugar, nicotine, volatile acids, malic acid, total poly-phenols and petroleum ether extract, may be main factors of good taste and aroma of imported products.