NIR (Near infrared reflectance) spectrometry has been a main tool for the analyses of tobacco blends and manufactured tobaccos, in on-line or near on-line applications.  However, most tobacco blends have absorbances at similar wavelengths with small variation in intensities.  Our initial research on the use of terahertz spectrometry (THzS) has shown much promise with similar tobacco blends having unique absorbance peaks along with differences in intensities on common absorbances (CORESTA Congress, Sapporo, 2012, SSPT15).  To be useful for regulatory and quality assurance purposes, THzS must provide quantitative data.  This requires establishing calibration standards [additive-free tobacco blends with known amount of analytes] and determination of the THzS signature with sufficient replication.  Two analytes were chosen for this initial work: glycerol at 0% � 4% of tobacco weight and vanillin at 0 � 40 ppm of tobacco weight.  The studies show the potential of THzS to cover a wide range of analytical needs.

Further developments in the use of terahertz spectrometry for the analyses of tobacco blends and manufactured tobaccos

245th National Meeting (2013)

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