Abstract:
In order to explore the aroma characteristic components in extracts of tobacco leaves from Youxi, Fujian Province, and their contribution to smoke aroma note, the aroma components in the extracts were qualitatively analyzed by two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF MS). A total of 35 aroma components were identified and divided into 7 groups according to their aroma characteristics. The concentrations of the above components in the leaf extracts were determined by an internal standard curve method, and their odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated. The contribution degrees of the aroma characteristic components to the corresponding aroma characteristics were compared. The applications of the extracts and their combinations in cigarettes were investigated by sensory evaluation. The results showed that:1) The total of 10 fresh scents, 2 green scents, 3 fruity scents, 6 floral scents, 5 burnt-sugar scents, 4 spicy scents and 4 bean scents were measured at 56.71, 0.88, 3.83, 23.85, 17.84, 10.76 and 14.48 μg/mL in the extracts respectively. Among them, the contents of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, geranyl acetone, dihydroactinidiolide, hexanal, benzyl alcohol, 2-acetylpyrrole, furfural, 2(5
H)-furanone, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol,
γ-butyrolactone and 4-methylacetophenone were stronger in their corresponding aroma characteristics. 2) Based on OAV analysis, the aroma components that played important roles in highlighting their corresponding aroma characteristics were
β-damascenone and
β-damascone for fresh scent,
cis-3-hexenal and
trans,
cis-2, 6-nonadienaldehyde for green scent, hexanal for fruity scent, benzaldehyde and
β-ionone for floral scent, methylcyclopentenolone and maltol for burnt-sugar scent, guaiacol and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol for spicy scent, and 4-methylacetophenone for bean scent. 3) The aroma characteristic groups based on the OAV analysis indicated that the aroma style of the extracts were mainly fresh scent, accompanied by floral, green, fruity, burnt-sugar, spicy and bean scents, which were consistent with the reported aroma style of Youxi tobacco leaves. 4) The combinations of aroma characteristic components of the tobacco leaf extracts could well reflect the fresh, honeysweet and floral scents, and improve the smoking quality of cigarettes.