Pigment Degradation and Chemical Component Change during Curing of Flue-cured Tobacco Cuibi 1

In order to improve curing effectiveness and quality of tobacco Cuibi 1, pigment and chemical composition change during curing proves were measured. The results showed that, chlorophyll and carotenoid kept degradation with increasing temperature during curing, and most of degradation occurred before 38 ℃ for chlorophyll, and before 42 ℃ for carotenoid. The pigment contents almost unchanged after 46 ℃. Starch degraded quickly for proper maturity leaves during curing. Soluble sugar and reducing sugar contents of cured leaves were high. Chemical components were well balanced for cured leaves. Harvesting lower leaves earlier to slightly decrease maturity, middle leaves to maximum maturity, and upper leaves to proper maturity are beneficial to the improvement of the tobacco leaf appearance and inner quality.