Study on degradation of carotenoids in discarded tobacco leaves

Degradation of carotenoids in discarded tobacco leaves by biological and physical treatments was investigated. Biological treatment was to isolate a strain to effectively degrade β-carotene and this strain was identified a yeast Trichosporon. GC-MS analysis showed that this yeast could completely degrade β-carotene. The physical method was to treat discarded tobacco leaves by ozone. GC-MS analysis showed that the contents of carotenoid and chlorophyll increased during the processing time firstly, then decreased and became stable. Moreover, after ozone treatment, the contents of alcohols, esters and ketones in tobacco were raised, and the content of nicotine, neophytadiene and carbon stearic acid were reduced to mellow tobacco aroma and reduce irritancy.