Methods and techniques in the research of tobacco flavour

This paper performs possible ways of tobacco-flavour investigations which allow to identify flavour components and to settle aroma factors and correlations with organoleptic evaluation. At first, the basic methods of tobacco flavour research based on the analysis of tobacco raw material, tobacco smoke, and headspace vapours were discussed. The methods of tobacco flavour investigation being useful in evaluation of tobacco quality were also reported. Hence, the instrumental methods and sensory methods of tobacco flavour research were shown. The usability of these methods in detecting the flavour components of tobacco and tobacco smoke as well as in evaluating the tobacco quality in practice was considered. Furthermore, the methods of tobacco flavour research and flavour evaluation used in our department were given. The quality of tobacco flavour was evaluated by means of a definite interpretation of the chemical analysis of tobacco or tobacco smoke. The investigations of tobacco flavour were also carried out by a method basing on a special treatment of tobacco, which modifies the chemical composition of the raw material and at the same time the sensory properties. In this case the components being responsible for the tobacco flavour could be investigated by detailed tobacco- and tobacco-smoke analysis connected with sensory evaluation.