Quantitation of hexane-extractable lipids in serial samples of flue-cured tobaccos

Solanesol, fatty acids, sterols, neophytadiene, and hydrocarbon waxes were quantitated in two flue-cured varieties of tobacco obtained at six intervals: (1) green, before harvest; (2) ripe, at harvest; (3) cured; (4) redried; (5) aged 1 year; and (6) aged 2 years. Solanesol and neophytadiene concentrations increased during processing while fatty acid concentrations generally decreased and sterol and hydrocarbon wax content remained essentially unchanged in both varieties. Lipid concentrations also varied with crop year. PAH content of smoke condensate was related to concentration of lipids in the cigarette tobacco.