Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves
Abstract Background Elevated alkaloid levels in tobacco leaves can cause significant irritation and a pronounced bitterness. Fermentation is a well-recognized strategy to reduce alkaloid content. However, its effectiveness is influenced by the choice of fermentation media. The limited variety of ava...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-025-00847-2 |
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| author | Wanrong Hu Li Liu Jiabao Zhang Quanwei Zhou Zhongrong Jiang Yun Jia Qianying Zhang Dongliang Li |
| author_facet | Wanrong Hu Li Liu Jiabao Zhang Quanwei Zhou Zhongrong Jiang Yun Jia Qianying Zhang Dongliang Li |
| author_sort | Wanrong Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Elevated alkaloid levels in tobacco leaves can cause significant irritation and a pronounced bitterness. Fermentation is a well-recognized strategy to reduce alkaloid content. However, its effectiveness is influenced by the choice of fermentation media. The limited variety of available media complicates the ability to meet the specific formulation requirements of cigar products. Consequently, there is a need to develop additional media to tailor formulations that optimize fermentation outcomes. Results The fermentation media developed in this study were primarily composed of compounds including chlorogenic acid, liquiritin, schaftoside, and ganoderic acid. The fermentation of cigar tobacco leaves with a medium led to a reduction in total nitrogen and alkaloid levels, while simultaneously enhancing both total sugar and reducing sugar contents. Specifically, compared to the control group, the alkaloid content in tobacco leaves treated with the medium decreased by 9.58–19.06%. Furthermore, the addition of the medium resulted in an increase in aroma compounds, while the levels of unsaturated fatty acids decreased by 7.14–24.66%. The medium also elevated the contents of characteristic aroma components, including 3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionol, megastigmatrienone, β-dihydroionone, dihydroactinidiolide, and sclareolide. Additionally, the introduction of the medium altered the bacterial and fungal community structures within the cigar tobacco leaves. It also facilitated the proliferation of functional microorganisms such as Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Wickerhamomyces, and Wallemia. Correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between the enrichment of these functional microorganisms and the increased levels of aroma compounds, such as 3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionol. From a sensory perspective, the incorporation of the medium reduced irritation and undesirable odors in cigar tobacco leaves, while enhancing the sweetness and richness of the aroma. Conclusions The specialized media developed in this study represent an innovative approach to optimizing cigar tobacco fermentation. This method utilizes unique raw materials and bioactive compounds to coordinate microbial activity, reduce alkaloid level, enhance aroma components, and improve sensory attributes. From an application standpoint, these media could be seamlessly integrated into cigar processing lines to enhance product quality with minimal modifications to existing equipment. The findings of this study offer novel perspectives on the reduction of alkaloid content in tobacco and the advancement of functional media. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-88e09773b28c4e2bb2b6d68555f0b367 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2196-5641 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-88e09773b28c4e2bb2b6d68555f0b3672025-08-24T11:12:09ZengSpringerOpenChemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture2196-56412025-08-0112111710.1186/s40538-025-00847-2Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leavesWanrong Hu0Li Liu1Jiabao Zhang2Quanwei Zhou3Zhongrong Jiang4Yun Jia5Qianying Zhang6Dongliang Li7China Tobacco Technology Innovation Center for Cigar, China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., LtdIndustry Efficient Utilization to Domestic Cigar Tobacco Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceChina Tobacco Technology Innovation Center for Cigar, China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., LtdChina Tobacco Technology Innovation Center for Cigar, China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., LtdChina Tobacco Technology Innovation Center for Cigar, China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., LtdChina Tobacco Technology Innovation Center for Cigar, China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., LtdChina Tobacco Technology Innovation Center for Cigar, China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., LtdChina Tobacco Technology Innovation Center for Cigar, China Tobacco Sichuan Industrial Co., LtdAbstract Background Elevated alkaloid levels in tobacco leaves can cause significant irritation and a pronounced bitterness. Fermentation is a well-recognized strategy to reduce alkaloid content. However, its effectiveness is influenced by the choice of fermentation media. The limited variety of available media complicates the ability to meet the specific formulation requirements of cigar products. Consequently, there is a need to develop additional media to tailor formulations that optimize fermentation outcomes. Results The fermentation media developed in this study were primarily composed of compounds including chlorogenic acid, liquiritin, schaftoside, and ganoderic acid. The fermentation of cigar tobacco leaves with a medium led to a reduction in total nitrogen and alkaloid levels, while simultaneously enhancing both total sugar and reducing sugar contents. Specifically, compared to the control group, the alkaloid content in tobacco leaves treated with the medium decreased by 9.58–19.06%. Furthermore, the addition of the medium resulted in an increase in aroma compounds, while the levels of unsaturated fatty acids decreased by 7.14–24.66%. The medium also elevated the contents of characteristic aroma components, including 3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionol, megastigmatrienone, β-dihydroionone, dihydroactinidiolide, and sclareolide. Additionally, the introduction of the medium altered the bacterial and fungal community structures within the cigar tobacco leaves. It also facilitated the proliferation of functional microorganisms such as Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Wickerhamomyces, and Wallemia. Correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between the enrichment of these functional microorganisms and the increased levels of aroma compounds, such as 3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionol. From a sensory perspective, the incorporation of the medium reduced irritation and undesirable odors in cigar tobacco leaves, while enhancing the sweetness and richness of the aroma. Conclusions The specialized media developed in this study represent an innovative approach to optimizing cigar tobacco fermentation. This method utilizes unique raw materials and bioactive compounds to coordinate microbial activity, reduce alkaloid level, enhance aroma components, and improve sensory attributes. From an application standpoint, these media could be seamlessly integrated into cigar processing lines to enhance product quality with minimal modifications to existing equipment. The findings of this study offer novel perspectives on the reduction of alkaloid content in tobacco and the advancement of functional media. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-025-00847-2Cigar tobaccoFermentationAlkaloidAroma componentsCommunity successionCorrelation analysis |
| spellingShingle | Wanrong Hu Li Liu Jiabao Zhang Quanwei Zhou Zhongrong Jiang Yun Jia Qianying Zhang Dongliang Li Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture Cigar tobacco Fermentation Alkaloid Aroma components Community succession Correlation analysis |
| title | Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves |
| title_full | Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves |
| title_fullStr | Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves |
| title_short | Development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves |
| title_sort | development and mechanism study of functional fermentation media for reducing alkaloid content in cigar tobacco leaves |
| topic | Cigar tobacco Fermentation Alkaloid Aroma components Community succession Correlation analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-025-00847-2 |
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