Variation of Main Chemical Components in Tobacco Stem During Artificial Aging

In order to research the variation of tobacco stem during artificial aging,nine tobacco stem samples from three stalk positions and three areas were artificially aged for one year.The contents of total sugar, reducing sugar,total nitrogen,total alkaloid,and 5-hydroxymethylfuraldehyde(5-HMF) in and pH of the stem samples were determined regularly.The results showed that:1) The pH of stem gradually declined during aging, though it changed more slowly at later stage.2) The contents of reducing sugar and total sugar showed a continuously decreasing trend.3) The contents of total nitrogen and total alkaloid were basically unchanged.4) The content of 5-HMF reduced at first and then increased gradually.The process of artificial aging effectively promoted the Maillard reaction in tobacco stem.