Abstract
This work has been conducted to develop a method for the analysis of neutral volatile flavors and their precursors in tobacco. The neutral volatile compounds and precursors in tobaccos have been investigated by Neutral Volatile scan method(NV scan) using Soxhlet extractor. The method has been used to analyze a range of different tobaccos and tobacco products. Neutral flavor compounds were classified as three sections(1st Volatile Fraction, Breakdown Flavor Products and Cembranoid Precursors). The major components of the First Volatile Fraction were 2-cyclohexene-1-one, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, limonene and phenyl ethanol. The major components of Breakdown Flavor Products were isophorone, solanone, damascenone, 3-hydroxy-$\beta$-damascone, geranyl acetone, $\beta$-ionone, dihydroactinidiolide, norsolanadione, neophytadiene, hexahydrofarnesylacetone, farnesyl acetone and megastigmatrienone. The major cembranoid precursor compounds were dibutyl phthalate, duvatrenediols, 8,12-epoxy-14-labden-13-ol, 11-hydroperoxy-2,7,12(20)-cembratriene-4,6-diol, 12,15-epoxy-12,14-labadien-8-ol, 2,7,11-cembratrien-4,6-diol and 8,13-epoxy-14-labdien-12-ol. The NV scna results of tobacco types(flue-cured, burley and oriental) showed that each tobacco type has a characteristic flavor component profile.
