A Method for the Determination of the Hygroscopic Properties of Cut Tobacco / Messverfahren zur Bestimmung des hygroskopischen Verhaltens von Schnittabaken

In continuation of the research on the significance of the capillary condensation, the chemical and microbiological phenomena occurring during the water absorption of tobacco were studied. Infection tests demonstrated a higher moulding susceptibility of Oriental tobaccos. The microbiological processes for an air humidity range of more than 70 % are summarized in Tab. 1. At an air humidity of 75 % and subsequent cooling, Oriental tobaccos showed positive catalase values and microbiological infections, whereas Virginia tobaccos under the same conditions did not show any positive action. It is suggested that the difference in the varieties is due to the different degree of water saturation resulting in an earlier capillary condensation of Oriental tobaccos as compared to Virginia. The condensation processes in the smallest scale enable the beginning of microbial infections and yield marked enzymic activities. The starting point and intensity of these condensation processes were measured by aid of the electric resistance method. The results of this measurement can be transferred to electrodes having the specific characteristics and which furnish individual values typical for the hygroscopicity of the tobaccos under study.