Study of tobacco plant as a possible nutritive protein source

Abstract

The changes in the activity of enzyme polyphenol oxidase, the concentration of total soluble phenolic compounds and soluble protein content in different tobacco cultivars (Virginia and Burley) during cultivation, then in a combined curing model system were studied. The latter was a special combination of air-curing and flue-curing methods followed by a long fermentation period to optimize the treatment of tobacco plants used both as protein sources and starting materials in tobacco industry. The results suggest that a cultivation period of 13–14 weeks could be better for tobacco plants as protein sources, however, for starting materials for industrial use 16–17 weeks are optimal. It was found a four-week curing period could be the best for two tobacco cultivars (Virginia and Burley) in the case of using them both as protein sources and starting materials in tobacco industry.