Abstract
An examination of the volatile bases in different types of tobacco was carried out. Virginia and Oriental types of cigarette tobaccos and a typical Burley tobacco were examined qualitatively and a blend of black tobacco was also analysed quantitatively. Ethylamine, iso-butylamine, b-phenethylamine, dimethylamine, methylethylamine, methyl-n-propylamine, methyl-b-phenethylamine, and 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine were identified in tobacco for the first time. Among the tobacco bases identified ammonia, methylamine, iso-pentylamine, pyrrolidine, and piperidine were already known. Ammonia is the main component of the volatile bases. As to quantity the minor alkaloids nornicotine and anabasine are followed by methylamine and pyrrolidine. The quantitative relations of the decarboxylated amino acids correspond to that of amino acids contained in tobacco hydrolysates.