Effects of Different Auxiliary Heat Sources on the Curing Environment and Quality of Cigar Filler

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of heating with different auxiliary heat sources on the quality of cigar filler tobacco during the air-curing process of cigar tobacco leaves, and to identify the optimal heat resource form.

Methods Using natural air-curing as the control (CK), four auxiliary heat sources, ceramic thick film (T₁), water heating (T₂), graphene (T₃), and natural gas (T₄), were set up to systematically analyze the dynamic changes in temperature within each curing barn, as well as the differences in the appearance quality, conventional chemical components, neutral aroma compounds, and sensory quality of the cured filler leaves.

Results The temperature control stability of the auxiliary heating drying room was significantly better than that of the natural drying room. Among the groups, T₁ and T₄ groups exhibited a steady temperature rise, with temperature control accuracy reaching ±1 °C. The total score of the appearance quality evaluation of cigars in the T₁ group was significantly increased by 16.39% compared with CK, manifesting as high maturity, bright luster, and abundant oil content. Different heat sources all improved indicators such as the sugar-to-alkaloid ratio of cigars. The contents of Maillard reaction products and cembranoid degradation products in the T₁ group were significantly elevated compared with CK; the T₄ group accumulated the most abundant aromatic amino acid degradation products, and its sensory quality evaluation score was 8.51% higher than that of CK, manifesting as a rich aroma and a strong sweet and mellow taste.

Conclusion Ceramic thick film auxiliary heating can significantly optimize the air-curing environment for cigar filler tobacco, promote the transformation of neutral aroma substances, and is the most suitable heat source form for improving the overall quality of cigar filler.