Effects of Different Flue-curing Barns on Aroma Quality of Upper Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves of K326

[Objective] This study was conducted to compare the aroma quality of up-per leaves of K326 flue-cured in different barns, and provide theoretical references for the development and optimization of bulk curing barn and the supporting tech-niques. [Method] The upper leaves of K326 were flue-cured in a commonness barn, a four-shelf bulk curing barn and a three-shelf bulk curing barn separately, and then the contents of aroma components and taste quality indices of the finished leaves were measured and compared. [Result] The contents of total aroma components, chromoplast pigment degradation products, phenylalanine aroma components and neophytadiene showed no significant differences in the leaves flue-cured in four-shelf bulk curing barn and commonness barn, but were significantly or very significantly higher than those in the leaves flue-cured in three-shelf bulk curing barn. The con-tents of carotenoid degradation products, Mail ard reaction products, cembranes aro-ma components and total aroma components （except neophytadiene） showed no significant difference among the three treatments. The results of sensory evaluation revealed that the sensory taste of the leaves flue-cured in four-shelf bulk curing barn was the best, as the finished leaves had rich, delicate aroma, comfortable and clean aftertaste. The leaves flue-cured in commonness barn was better than those flue-cured in three-shelf bulk curing barn in aroma quality, amount and aftertaste. [Conclusion] The four-shelf bulk curing barn had a large volume for tobacco leaf processing, but a similar baking environment to the commonness barn, which is conducive to the formation and accumulation of aroma components, so the finished leaves had similar appearance and quality with those flue-cured in commonness barn. The upper flue-cured leaves in three-shelf bulk curing bran had poorer quality than those flue-cured in the other two barns.

The Quality Difference of Tobacco Leaves Between Different Flue-curing Processes in Honghe Tobacco-growing Area

[Objectives] This study was conducted to compare the effects of different curing processes,in order to optimize the local supporting intensive fluecuring process.[Methods] A comparative experiment was carried out in Mile,Luxi and Jianshui on the four-layer tobacco-packed intensive curing process(K1)and the eight-point precise and intensive curing process(K2).[Results]The results showed that according to the appearance evaluation of the tobacco leaves,K1 was higher than K2 in respective scores of color,maturity,leaf structure and defects and the total score,while K1 equaled K2 in the scores of identity,oil content,chroma and length.The differences in respective scores of the two processes were not significant.According to the results of sensory evaluation,the two tobacco enterprises got different evaluation results of unblended cigarettes made of the middle leaves due to different raw material requirements of the enterprises by different processes.K1 was higher than K2 in the sensory evaluation of China Tobacco Yunnan Industrial Co.,Ltd.,while it was lower than K2 in that of China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co.,Ltd.,and the difference in the total score between the two processes was significant.From the content of chemical components,in the conventional chemical component contents including total sugar,reducing sugar,chlorine and starch,K1 was higher than K2,while in the contents of potassium,total phytonine,total nitrogen and petroleum ether extract,K1 was lower than K2,but the differences were not significant.K1 was lower than K2 in the contents of neutral aroma components including ketones,alcohols,aldehydes,heterocyclics,neophytadiene and total content,while K1 was higher than K2 in the contents of esters,phenols,but the respective differences were not significant.Except the significant difference in the total score in the sensory evaluation of China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co.,Ltd.,there were no significant differences in other items in the appearance evaluation,sensory evaluation and chemical composition of tobacco leaves between K1 and K2.[Conclusions] The supporting intensive curing process can be further optimized on the basis of this study.

Based on non-targeted metabolomics for differential components screening of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos and their quality evaluation

Background:Rosa chinensis Jacq.and Rosa rugosa Thunb.are not only of ornamental value,but also edible flowers and the flower buds have been listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as traditional medicines.The two plants have some differences in efficacy,but the flower buds are easily confused for similar traits.In addition,large-scale cultivation of ornamental rose flowers may lead to a decrease in the effective components of medicinal roses.Therefore,it is necessary to study the chemical composition and make quality evaluation of Rosae Chinensis Flos(Yueji)and Rosae Rugosae Flos(Meigui).Methods:In this study,40 batches of samples including Meigui and Yueji from different regions in China were collected to establish high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints.Then,the fingerprints data was analyzed using principal component analysis,hierarchical cluster analysis,and partial least squares discriminant analysis analysis chemometrics to obtain information on intergroup differences,and non-targeted metabolomic techniques were applied to identify and compare chemical compositions of samples which were chosen from groups with large differences.Differential compounds were screened by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot,and finally multi-component quantification was performed to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Yueji and Meigui.Results:The similarity between the fingerprints of 40 batches roses and the reference print R was 0.73 to 0.93,indicating that there were similarities and differences between the samples.Through principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of fingerprints data,the samples from different origins and varieties were intuitively divided into four groups.Partial least-squares discriminant analysis analysis showed that Meigui and Yueji cluster into two categories and the model was reliable.A total of 89 compounds were identified by high resolution mass spectrometry,mainly were flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides,as well as phenolic acids.Eight differential components were screened out by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot analysis.Quantitative analyses of the eight compounds,including gallic acid,ellagic acid,hyperoside,isoquercitrin,etc.,showed that Yueji was generally richer in phenolic acids and flavonoids than Meigui,and the quality of Yueji from Shandong and Hebei was better.It is worth noting that Xinjiang rose is rich in various components,which is worth focusing on more in-depth research.Conclusion:In this study,the fingerprints of Meigui and Yueji were established.The chemical components information of roses was further improved based on non-targeted metabolomics and mass spectrometry technology.At the same time,eight differential components of Meigui and Yueji were screened out and quantitatively analyzed.The research results provided a scientific basis for the quality control and rational development and utilization of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos,and also laid a foundation for the study of their pharmacodynamic material basis.

Effects of Vermicompost on Agronomic Characters and Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco

The effects of vermicompost on the agronomic characters and yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco were investigated. The results showed that, the field growth periods of various treatments were 117-118 d, 1-2 days longer than that of the CK. The numbers of effective leaves of the treatments applied with vermicompost were 0.1-0.3 leaf more than the CK. The highest yield and the highest proportion of high-grade tobacco occurred in treatment 3 as 2 095.5 kg/m^2 and 49%, respectively, which were higher than those in the CK by 6.58 kg and 5.3%. In conclusion, the treatment with the application of vermicompost at 7 500-10 500 kg/hm^2 was the best.

Changes of Granule Structure and Enzyme Hydrolysability of Starch in Upper Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves During Bulk Flue-curing

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the changes of granule struc- ture, characteristic and related enzymatic activity of starch in upper flue-cured tobac- co leaves during bulk flue-curing process, to provide theoretical basis for reasonably regulating the starch content in upper flue-cured tobacco leaves and improving the quality of upper flue-cured tobacco leaves. [Method] Changes of amylase activity, enzyme hydrolysability and granule structure of starch in upper flue-cured tobacco leaves were studied during flue-curing process using conventional physical and chemical analysis and SEM. [Result] During the flue-curing process, the starch con- tent of tobacco leaves changed greatly at yellowing stage, and the activity of amy- lase presented the double-peak curve. The SEM observation results showed that most of the starch granules in fresh tobacco leaves were spheroidal and long cylin- drical, while some individuals were in irregular shape, with obvious groove-like in- vagination and layered structure on granule surface; during the flue-curing process, a large amount of starch granules showed layered structure on the surface at yellow- ing stage, and the long cylindrical starch granules were reduced greatly; at the end of flue-curing, there were barely any long cylindrical starch granule in flue-cured to- bacco leaves. Average long-axis-diameter of starch granules in fresh tobacco leaves was 3.21 μm, showing an overall gradually increasing trend during the flue-curing process, which was significantly enhanced at 38 and 42 ℃. The diameter of starch granules increased by more than 60% at the end of 42 ℃ and there was no re- markable difference after 47 ℃. During the flue-curing process, enzyme hydrolysabil- ity of starch in flue-cured tobacco leaves first increased, reached a peak at 38 ~C, and then decreased. [Conclusion] During the bulk flue-curing, the yellowing stage is the critical period for starch content, granule structure and characteristic changes of flue-cured tobacco leaves, it is of positive effects to improve the quality of upper flue-cured tobacco leaves by regulating the flue-curing conditions at yellowing stage.

Effects of Different Transplanting and Harvest Dates on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

In this study,the effects of nine different combinations of transplanting and harvest dates on yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves were investigated.The results showed that different combinations of transplanting and harvest dates had few effects on growth period and agronomic characters of tobacco plants but exerted remarkable effects on economic characters and chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco leaves.With the postponing of transplanting stage,output value of flue-cured tobacco leaves increased.Output value of flue-cured tobacco leaves in C1treatment（normal harvest） was higher than that in C2（harvest 7 d later） and C3（harvest 14 d later） treatments.Different combinations of transplanting and harvest dates had significant effects on chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco leaves,which exhibited no obvious law.Overall,flue-cured tobacco leaves in T3C1treatment（transplanting 14 d earlier,normal harvest） displayed excellent performance compared with other treatments.

Effect of Different Flue-curing Techniques on the Taste and Aroma Substances of Tobacco Leaves

[Objective]This study aimed to optimize the conditions for curing tobacco leaf, so as to improve its flavor and quality. [Method] Leaves of Yuanyan 87 were col ected and cured by three different techniques （moderate-intensity conditions throughout the curing course; high-intensity conditions at leaf yel owing and wilting stages, moderate-intensity conditions at leaf drying and vein drying stages; high-in-tensity conditions throughout the curing course）, and then the contents of 48 aroma substances and taste indices of the finished tobacco leaves were measured. [Result] The contents of 28 aroma substances in the tobacco leaves cured under high-inten-sity conditions throughout the course were higher and the taste indices of these to-bacco leaves were better, compared with those flue-cured by the other two tech-niques. The contents of the other 20 aroma substances were not significantly af-fected by the curing techniques. The second best technique was high-intensity con-ditions at leaf yel owing and wilting stages and moderate-intensity conditions at leaf drying and vein drying stages. Curing tobacco leaves at moderate-intensity condi-tions throughout the course was the worst one. [Conclusion] Compared with the oth-er two methods, the contents of aroma substances and taste indices of the tobacco leaves cured under high-intensive conditions throughout the course were the best.

Study on Quality Improvement of Flue-cured Tobacco by Threshing and Pneumatic Separation

This study was conducted to further classify threshed strips, so as to broaden the usable range of raw material and facilitate the effective utilization of to- bacco resource. During the threshing and redwing process, various process param- eters including the rotating speeds of threshing drums of threshing machioe, draught fans and fling drums were scientifically and rationally set according to the actual quality of the raw material. According to the characteristic that strips with close in- herent quality have basically the same specific gravity and leaf thickness, the strips from each discharge hole were accurately evaluated, and classified, followed by redrying and packaging. The results showed that the threshing and separating pro- cedure could improve the separating effect and precision according to tobacco qual- ity, so as to satisfy the separation and classification requirements for tobacco.

Effects of Different Yellowing Conditions on Neutral Aroma Components and Smoking Quality of Flue-cured Upper Leaves

A heated air circulation standard curing barn was used for baking tobacco leaves, and the effects of different yellowing conditions during the baking process on contents of neutral aroma components and smoking quality of upper leaves were studied by setting different yellowing time and color-fixing time. The results showed that during the baking process, only by prolonging the yellowing time by 24 h on the basis of control, the content of every kind of neutral aroma components in- creased obviously and the content of solanone increased by nearly 2.20 times. It was unfavorable for the degradation and accumulation of aroma components when only prolonging color-fixing time by 24 h. Prolonging both yellowing time and color- fixing time by 24 h mainly promoted the accumulation of chlorophyll degradation product neophytadiene, which increased by 33.24%, while the degradation and ac- cumulation of some aroma components were inhibited, indicating that only prolonging the yellowing time by 24 h could promote the accumulation of various kinds of neu- tral aroma components and improve the quality of tobacco leaves. The regression models were established of neutral aroma components in the first and second prin- cipal components to total aroma content, which were y=x＋0.053 47 （R^2=0.919 7） and y=x＋0.147 5 （R^2=0.698 4）, respectively, and they were verified to be feasible.

Effects of Exogenous Amylases and Metal Ions on the Amylase Specific Activities and Starch Degradation of the Upper Leaves of ‘KRK_(26)' during Flue-curing

Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exoge-nous amylases and Ca2＋, Mn2＋ and K＋ on the amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the upper leaves of ＇KRK26＇ planted in Yunnan Province during flue-curing. [Method] The amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the leaves were determined by using spectrophotometry. [Result] The 8 U/g exogenous α-amy-lase could improve the specific activity of the leaf α-amylase at yel owing and color-fixing stages, but could not at stem-drying stage, and similarly, the 80 U/g exoge-nous β-amylase could improved the specific activity of the leaf β-amylase at the yel owing stage and the early period of color-fixing stage. The leaf starch could be enhanced to degrade by the exogenous α- or β-amylases and the enhancing effect of the former was stronger than that of the later. 1.50 mg/ml Ca2＋ improved the specific activity of the leaf （α＋β）-amylase mainly due to its enhancing effect on the leaf α-amylase, and increased the starch degradation. 4 mmol/L Mn2＋ inhibited the leaf α-amylase from yel owing to the early period of color-fixing and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases from the yel owing to the later period of color-fixing, but enhanced the leafα-amylase from the later period of color-fixing to the later period of stem-drying and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases at the later period of stem-drying. Meanwhile, Mn2＋ ham-pered the starch degradation during yel owing, but promoted it from the early period of color-fixing to stem-drying. 1 mg/ml K＋ enhanced the leaf α-, β- and （α＋β）-amy-lases during the yel owing stage, but lowered them from the early period of color-fix-ing to the later period of stem-drying, and always inhibited the leaf starch degrada-tion. [Conclusion] The exogenous α-, β- amylases and Ca2＋ of suitable concentra-tions could be used to treat the tobacco leaves before flue-curing to improve the leaf starch degradation during the curing.

Effects of Tobacco-dedicated Plant Nutrition Regulators on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

During 2012-2014,field trials were carried out in Huili County,Dechang County and Mianning County of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture to investigate effects of tobacco-dedicated plant nutrition regulators on yield and quality of fluecured tobacco leaves,aiming at providing reference for tobacco production.According to the results,in tobacco fields applied with tobacco-dedicated plant nutrition regulators,growth period of tobacco was shortened compared with control group;botanical characters（plant height,stem girth,the maximum leaf length,the maximum leaf width,internode length and leaf number） were superior to control group;after application of tobacco-dedicated plant nutrition regulators,yield,output value and the proportion of high-grade and middle-grade leaves were significantly improved compared with control group;moreover,flue-cured tobacco leaves exhibited more coordinated chemical composition.

Relationships between Application Amount of Quicklime and Soil Nutrients,Flue-cured Tobacco Quality in Panzhihua City

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the improving effect of quick- lime on acid soil in tobacco-growing areas in Panzhihua City. [Method] The effects of four application amounts （450, 900, 1 350 and 1 800 kg/hm2） of quicklime on soil nutrients and flue-cured tobacco quality were observed for two consecutive years. [Result] In acid soil, the application of quicklime significantly improved soil pH. In addition, it showed significant effects on soil nutrients, flue-cured tobacco quality, tobacco output and tobacco leaf chemical components. When the application amount of quicklime was increased to 1 350 kg/hm2, the improving effect of quick- lime on soil nutrients was best, the flue-cured tobacco yield and quality all reached the highest, and the chemical components of tobacco leaves were closest to the in- herent indicators of high-quality tobacco leaves. [Conclusion] This study will provide certain reference for accurate application of quicklime in tobacco-growing area in Panzhihua City.

Comparative Analysis on Chemical Components and Sensory Quality of Aging Flue-Cured Tobacco from Four Main Tobacco Areas of China

Complicated changes are happening during the aging process of flue-cured tobacco （FCT） and understanding of the changing components is of great significance in improving the quality,shortening aging time,and enhancing production and economic efficiency in tobacco industry.The aging samples of FCT from four main producing areas of China,i.e.,Yunnan,Sichuan,Hubei,and Dongbei,were used to study the changing rule of the components such as alkali,acid,and carbohydrate as well as the aroma and their relationship with sensory quality;and based on the correlation among the components and the sensory quality index,multivariable models were established to predict the aging quality.The results showed that the sensory quality of FCT increased steadily during the aging time,and at the same time,the acidic components （total organic acids,volatile acids） increased gradually,while the alkaline substances （nicotine,volatile alkali）,carbohydrate （total sugars,reducing sugar） and pH values showed a downward trend.Correlation analysis found that the sensory quality and pH values were negatively correlated （P0.05）,while the sensory quality with total organic acids and aroma were positively correlated.The optimal model for predicting the quality of FCT was y=56.75-0.63x12＋50.09x2-13.27x22,（y：sensory quality;x1：pH;x2：total organic acids）.The average predicating error was 1.04% with maximum predicating error of 2.89% and the accuracy rate of above 97%.

Studies on Amylase and Degradation of Starch and Pigment of Tobacco Leaf During Process of Flue-Curing

The changes in the activity of amylase and amylase-isoenzyme and the degradation of starch and pigment of tobacco leaf during flue-curing were studied by using the electric- heated flue-curing barn designed and made by the Henan Agricultural University. The temperature and humidity of the barn were controlled automatically. The results indicated that starch in tobacco leaf decreased rapidly and leveled off after 48 h of curring, in the meantime, the content of soluble sugar increased accordingly and reached a peak at the stage of color-fixing. Both of them had a rapid-changing stage in the first 36 hours of yellowing. The changes of starch and soluble sugar contents had highly significant negative-correlation at 1 % level (rNC89 = -0.8962**, rYY85 = -0.9704**). The activity of amylase increased with the proceeding of curing and reached a peak after 36 hours of curing, then decreased. But the activity of amylase kept at a high level when the humidity of curing-environment was very low, even if the tobacco leaf had been dried. The rapid degradation of starch showed a significantly negative correlation with the increase of activity of amylase at 5 % level (rNC89 = -0.8495*, rYY85 = -0.7839*). The degradation of starch and pigment had the same regulation and had highly significant correlation at 1 % level (rNC89= 0.9649**, rYY85= 0.9428**). There were mainly three amylase-isoenzyme bands -A, B, C respectively, in tobacco leaf during flue curing. They were identified as α-AMY, β-AMY, R-AMY, and the activity of β-AMY was the highest. The changes in amylase activity and contents of starch and pigment were affected by the tobacco leaf moisture and environmental humidity during curing.

Effects of Boron Application on Growth and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco NC297 under Different Potassium Supply Levels

In order to provide reference for high quality tobacco producion,this experiment adopted a randomized block design in a field plot,and analyzed the effects of boron fertilizer on the growth,development on comprehensive quality of flue-cured tobacco by using mathematical statistics methods such as multiple comparison with NC297 as test material.The results showed that:spraying boron fertilizer on flue-cured tobacco leaves can promote the growth of flue-cured tobacco NC297 to a certain extent,effectively reduce the total particulate matter and tar content of tobacco,and play a positive role in regulating the total sugar,reducing sugar,nicotine and potassium content of flue-cured tobacco;the comprehensive quality of NC297 was the best when boron was applied at medium potassium level(K2B1).

Three-Stage Six-Step Flue-Curing Technology for Viginia Tobacco Leaves and Its Application in China

In order to overcome the problem that the leaf yellowing stage in tobacco curing reduces the fragrance of the product, this study introduced the principle and key parameters of a three-stage six-step curing technology. The field trail was conducted in Wulong county of Chongqing city in 2010, and Virginia K326 was the tested cultivar. The middle leaves were harvested and plaited after maturity, and then cured with the three-stage six-step curing technology and traditional three-stage curing technology, respectively. Three replicates were established for each of the two curing technologies. Then, chemical constituents, aromatic substances and smoking quality were analyzed. The results show that compared with the traditional three-stage curing technology, the three-stage six-step curing technology produces more suitable ratios of chemical constituents, higher aromatic component content and higher smoking quality grade of tobacco leaves. Therefore, the continuous improvement of corollary equipment and matching technologies is expected to widen the applications of the three-stage six-step curing technology in tobacco and provide a strong technical support for the development of the tobacco industry.

Changes of Polyphenols in Tobacco Leaves During the Flue-Curing Process and Correlation Analysis on Some Chemical Components

The changes of polyphenols in tobacco leaves during the flue-curing process and correlation analysis on some chemical components were studied. Leaf samples were taken from different tobacco-producing regions in Henan Province, China. The results indicated that the content of total phenols increased during the first 24 h of curing, and then decreased. It reached the lowest value at 72 h of curing and increased rapidly after that. The content of chlorogenic acid also increased during 0-24 h of curing. But the lowest point occurred at 60 or 72 h of curing and then it increased till the end of the curing process. The content of mtin generally increased with curing, and showed little fluctuations. The changes of PPO and POD activity were the opposite. Rutin was found to have a highly significant positive correlation with total sugar （r=0.822^＊＊）, but a highly significant negative correlation with starch, nicotine, and protein.

Effects of Amount of Green Manure Returned to Field on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco

The effects of amount of green manure returned to field on yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco were studied by field experiment. The results showed that significant positive correlation existed between tobacco leaf yield and small or moderate amount of green manure returned to field. Path analysis showed that moderate amount of green manure returned to field affected yield and quality of tobacco leaves, small green manure returned to field mainly affected leaf yield, while large amount of green manure returned to field mainly affected leaf quality. Therefore, the effect of moderate amount of green manure returned to field on yield and quality of tobacco leaves was best, and moderate amount of green manure returned to field was recommended in production of flue-cured tobacco.

Effects of Different Flue-curing Technologies on Microscopic Structure of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

[Objective] This study aimed to compare the effects of Chinese quality-improving fragrunce-increasing tobacco flue-curing technology, Chinese three- stage tobaeeo flue-curing technology and Zimbabwean tobaceo flue-euring technology on microscopie structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves to provide theoretical basis for tobacco flue-curing. [ Method ] Middle leaves of tobacco cultivar K326 were collected in Pengshui County of Chongqing City for flue-curing experiment using three flue-curing technologies. Leaf samples were collected regularly in the flue-curing process, to investigate the microscopic structure of flue-cured tobaceo leaves. [ Result] During three flue-curing processes, leaves, palisade tissues and sponge tissues shrank gradually. Three flue-euring processes exhibited significant differ- ences in the peak of tissue shrinkage ： microscopic structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves in Chinese three-stage tobacco flue-curing process shrank earliest, follower by Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing process; flue-eured tobacco leaves in Zimbabwean tobacco flue-curing process presented the latest shrinkage. At 84 h post-curing, leaf thickness in three flue-curing processes showed a descend order of Chinese three-stage tobacco flue-curing process 〉 Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing process 〉 Zimbabwean tobacco flue-curing process. Upper and lower epidermal cells in Zimb- abwean tobacco flue-curing process ruptured earlier than other two flue-curing processes; eventually, the majority of cells ruptured and mixed with palisade tissues and sponge tissues. In Chinese quality-improving fragranee-increasing tobacco flue-curing process, only a small number of epidermal cells in dried leaves ruptured. Among three flue-curing technologies, Zimbabwean tobacco flue-curing technology exhibited the greatest damage to epidermal cells, followed by Chinese three-stage tobaceo flue-curing technology; Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing technology had the minimum damage to epidermal cells. Mese- phyll cross-section exhibited significant morphological changes in stomata. To be specific, at 0 - 12 h post-curing, stomata of tobacco leaves closed with slightly prominent stamatal apparatuses on upper and lower epidermis; at 24 -72 h post-curing, stomata of tobaceo leaves changed gradually from opening to closure with significantly prominent stomatal apparatuses on upper and lower epidermis; at 84 h post-curing, stomata of tobacco leaves closed, and the majority of stomatal appa- ratuses were significantly prominent. In Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing process, only a small number of epidermal ceils ruptured at 84 h pest-flue-curing; palisade tissues and sponge tissues shrank almost simultaneously. Significant gaps were observed between palisade tissues and between pal- isade tissues and sponge tissues. Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing technology exhibited lower disorder level compared with other two flue-curing technologies. [ Conclusion] Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curlng technology was conducive to maintaining the micro- scopic structure integrity of flue-cured tobacco leaves and obtaining high-quality flue-cured tobacco leaves.

Effects of Different Flue-curing Technologies on Submicroscopic Structure of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

[ Objective] This study aimed to compare the effects of low-temperature low-humidity tobacco flue-curing technology, moderate-temperature moderate- humidity tobacco flue-curing technology and moderate-temperature high-humidity tobacco flue-curing technology on submicroscopic structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves to provide theoretical basis for tobacco flue-curing. [ Method] Middle leaves of tobacco cuhivar K326 were collected in Pengshui County of Chongqing City for flue-curing experiment using three flue-curing technologies. Leaf samples were collected regularly in the flue-curing process, to investigate the submicroscopic structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves. [ Result] Morphology changes and structural rupture of chloroplasts occurred at different time during three flue-curing proces- ses. In low-temperature low-humidity flue-curing process, morphology changes and structural rupture of chloroplasts occurred late but rapidly; in moderate-tempera- ture moderate-humidity flue-curing process and moderate-temperature high-humidity flue-curing process, morphology changes and structural rupture of chloroplasts occurred early but slowly. Among these three flue-curing processes, the speed of changes in mitochondria morphology, cristae number and membrane rupture pres- ented an upward order of low-temperature low-humidity flue-curing process 〈 moderate-temperature high-humidity flue-curlng process 〈 moderate-temperature moderate-humidity flue-curing process. In low-temperature low-humldity flue-curing process, starch granules in chloroplasts ruptured after flue-curing for 36 -48 h ; in moderate-temperature moderate-humidity flue-curing process, starch granules in chloroplasts ruptured after flue-curing for 24 - 36 h; in moderate-temperature high-humidity flue-curing process, starch granules in chloroplasts ruptured after flue-curing for 12 - 24 h. [ Conclusion ] Using low-temperature low-humidity flue- curing technology could prolong the maintenance duration of the submicroscopic structure integrity of flue-cured tobacco leaves, which was conducive to fully decom- posing and transforming substances in tobacco leaves and obtaining high-quality flue-cured tobacco leaves.