Factors Influencing Moisture Retentivity of Tobacco Leaf

In order to investigate the factors influencing the moisture retentivity of tobacco leaf, the chemical compositions and tissue structure of different types of tobacco leaves, cuticular wax removed leaves and super-critical CO₂ extracted leaves on their moisture retentivity were analyzed. The results showed that:1) the moisture retentivity of flue-cured, burley and oriental tobacco leaves differed from each other because of their chemical composition and tissue structure differences; burley tobacco possessed higher moisture retentivity despite of it slower sugar content, which might be attributed to its unique tissue structure; 2) the reduction of moisture retentivity of flue-cured tobacco after washed by methylene chloride indicated that the cuticular wax played a crucial role in moisture retention of tobacco; 3) the enhanced moisture retentivity of super-critical CO₂ extracted flue-cured tobacco at low humidity condition demonstrated that the change of tissue structure was the key factor affecting its moisture retentivity; 4) water soluble sugars positively affected the moisture retentivity of burley tobacco at low humidity condition, but negatively affected the same at high humidity condition.