Analysis and application evaluation of the flavour-precursor and volatile-aroma-component differences between waste tobacco stems

The development and utilization of waste resources have important scientific significance and social value. As a renewable and clean resource, the flavour components of waste tobacco stems (WTS) make a significant contribution to the development of waste resources. To evaluate the industrial applicability of the different WTS as raw materials, the present study systematically examined the differences in flavour precursors and volatile aroma components in tobacco stems (TS) from typical tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) growing areas in Yunnan Province through HPLC and GC‒MS analysis. Meanwhile, the contribution to improving the quality of cigarette products is discussed accordingly. The results showed that the contents of flavour precursors, carotenoid and hexane degradation products, neophydiene and total volatile aroma substances in TS were the highest in the Dianxi area, Yun 87 variety and the upper part of Yunnan Province, while the contents of Maillard reaction products and phenylalanine degradation products were the highest in the Diandong area and middle part. The aroma components and sensory quality of TS have obvious regional characteristics in Yunnan. Accordingly, the higher flavour components improve cigarette quality. Most importantly, the middle and upper TS should be preferred to use and classified to process according to the tobacco growing areas, which is beneficial for promoting industrial applicability in cigarette preparation. This study provides a theoretical reference for the industrial value-added applicability of TS in the aspects of flavour extraction and cigarette preparation.