Application of Variance Analysis to Intra-batch Uniformity Evaluation of Chemical Components in Tobacco Leaves

By dividing a batch of tobacco leaves into several groups, the main routine chemical components, total water-soluble sugar and nicotine, in leaves were analyzed and defined to be their quality characteristic values. The significance of difference between routine chemical components in leaves in a batch was compared by analysis of variance, which was verified in tobacco blends with general evaluation and strict evaluation methods. The results showed that analysis of variance was accurate, simple and suitable for the evaluation of intra-batch quality uniformity of tobacco leaves in cigarette industrial enterprises.