Abstract
This study was conducted to compare the volatile components of lamina(cutter group) and midrib of flue-cured tobacco leaves by two analytical methods, Curie-Point pyrolysis and Purge & Trap headspace technique. The pyrolysis of lamina and midrib part of tobacco leaves was performed at the temperature of $330^{\circ}C$, $650^{\circ}C$, and $920^{\circ}C$ by Curie-Point Pyrolyzer, and 33 compounds were identified in the pyrolyzates by GC/MSD. The composition of the components identified showed a quite difference between lamina and midrib. However, the amount of the pyrolyzed products from the both of lamina and midrib was increased with temperature increase except that of acetic acid, furfural, and nicotine. The content of phenolic compounds including phenol, 4-methyl phenol, and 3-methyl phenol was higher in midrib than in lamina, while that of furan compounds such as 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, was high in lamina. Interestingly, acetamide, 2-propenamide and 3-acetoxy pyridine were not defected in the pyrolyzates of lamina. By Purge & Trap headspace technique, 28 volatile components were identified in both lamina and midrib. The composition of the identified compounds and their chromatograpic patterns also showed the complete difference between the two. The content of solanone, $\beta$-damascone, $\beta$-damascenone, and megastigmatrienones, key components of tobacco aroma, was much higher in lamina than in midrib. The results indicate that lamina contains much more carbonyl compounds known to enhance the smoke taste of cigarette, whereas midrib takes nitrogenous and phenolic compounds, which are known to cause a deteriorate effect of smoke such as irritation.