Study on the Preparation Process Optimization and Chemical Composition Analysis of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Extract

Purpose In order to study the preparation of Zimbabwe tobacco extracts, determining the optimum process parameters, exploring the chemical composition of extracts under the optimum process conditions and the amount of added to the finished cigarettes and the effect on the sensory.

Method Single factor experiments were designed, the Zimbabwe tobacco extracts were prepared under different processes, and the volatile aroma components and the non-volatile components of the extract were analyzed by GC/MS. Besides, the yield and sensory quality were taken as the criterion.

Results (1) The optimum ratio of material to solution was determined to be 1:10, the extraction time was 75 min, the volume fraction of ethanol was 80% and the yield was 27.2%. (2) A total of 46 volatile components were analyzed, the contents of nicotine, solanone, cembratriene-diol, neophytadiene were 14.28%, 6.77%, 8.05% and 5.15%. (3) The organic acids accounted for a higher proportion in the non-volatile components, especially the malic acid was 18.5 mg/g. (4) Sensory evaluation of the different amount of cigarettes was performed, by contrast, the best addition was 0.3%.

Conclusion The Zimbabwe tobacco extract produced by this process had rich variety and content of characteristic compounds, which could enhance the style characteristics of cigarette, such as fragrance and sweetness, increase the aroma, improve the smoking quality prominently.