EFFECT OF BALE SIZE AND DENSITY ON TSNA FORMATION IN BALED BURLEY TOBACCO

Abstract Nitrosamines are nitrogen-containing compounds that occur in trace amounts in everyday items. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) have been identified as some of the most potent carcinogens in tobacco products. The objective of this study was to evaluate market preparation conditions affecting TSNA levels in cured burley tobacco. The data for this study were based on a market-preparation experiment design to study bale density and size effects on TSNA levels during storage in Greenville, TN following the 2005, 2006, and 2007 growing seasons. Standard and flue-cured sized bales were evaluated at standard and high density levels. The effects of bale size and density were estimated by evaluating TSNA content changes between the baling and sale time. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for all the years combined. Results show that bale size and density do not have a significant effect on TSNA level changes.