Effects of Different Auxiliary Heat Sources on the Air-curing Environment and Quality of Cigar Filler

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different auxiliary heat sources on the quality of cigar filler tobacco during the air-curing process, and to identify the optimal heat source 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 air-curing barn, as well as the differences in the appearance quality, conventional chemical components, neutral aroma compounds, and sensory quality of the air-cured filler leaves.

Results The temperature control stability of the auxiliary heating air-curing barn was significantly better than that of the natural air-curing barn. Among the groups, T₁ showed a stable temperature rise, and T₄ maintained precise temperature control. The total score of the appearance quality evaluation of cigar filler in T₁ was significantly increased by 16.39% compared with CK, manifested as high maturity, bright luster, and abundant oil content. All heat sources improved indicators such as the sugar-to-alkaloid ratio of cigar filler. The contents of Maillard reaction products and cembranoid degradation products in T₁ were significantly elevated compared with CK; T₄ accumulated the most abundant aromatic amino acid degradation products, and its sensory quality evaluation score was 8.51% higher than that of CK, manifested 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 a preferable heat source form for improving the overall quality of cigar filler.