Comparative Investigations of the Influence of Polyvalent Alcohols and Fruit Extracts on the Physicochemical Properties of Tobacco

Laboratory investigations have been carried out into the application of water pectin extracts from dry apple pressings and orange peels as a moisture-retentive substance for use with tobacco from the unaromatizedRodopi blend. It has been established from comparative experiments with extracts, water pectin solutions and commonly applied humectants such as glycerol, diethylene glycol and propylene glycol that fruit pectin extracts can be used as humectants in tobacco production. The increase in the pectin content of the extract improves the moisture-retentive ability of tobacco, as does the addition of enzyme hydrolysate to the extract. The type of extracting acid has a definite effect. Tobacco treated with a nitric acid extract has better moisture absorption properties. The extracts decrease the tar and carbon monoxide deliveries in tobacco smoke compared to the usual humectants, glycerol, diethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The application of pectin extracts has a greater effect than the application of pure pectin solutions on the moisture-retentive properties of tobacco and the composition of tobacco smoke.