AUTHOR=Xiaowei Zhang , Shuqi Wang , Ke Zhang , Liang Feng , Anchuan Xu , Risheng Zhong , Dan Chen , Chunqiong Wang , Jiwu Zhang , Yueying Wan , Jie Long , Haitao Chen 

TITLE=Decoding key aroma components of three cigar tobacco leaves based on molecular sensory science

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1633850

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2025.1633850

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=Cigar is a flavor-dependent cash crop. However, the key aroma compounds of tobacco leaves are less studied. In this study, we used molecular sensory science to explore the key aroma compounds of cigar tobacco leaves from three different origins in Yunnan, China. The results showed that a total of 33 aroma compounds were quantitatively analyzed in the three tobaccos, among which there were eight key aroma components in YXYY, eight in DHYY, and four in PEYY with odor activity value (OAV)≥1 and flavor dilution (FD)≥2. Through recombination and omission experiments, the key aroma actives were further identified as phytol, acetic acid, isovaleric acid, 3-methylpentanoic acid, and (E)-5-isopropyl-8-methylnona-6,8-dien-2-one in YXYY, styrene, (E)-5-isopropyl-8-methylnona-6,8-dien-2-one, irisone, and phytol in DHYY, and acetic acid, styrene, and phytol in PEYY. In conclusion the present study revealed the key aroma compounds and their differences in cigar tobacco from three different origins. It provides insights for a comprehensive exploration of the unique flavors of cigars.