Formation of Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNA) During Air-Curing: Conditions and Control

The present review deals with studies performed during several consecutive years on the effect of air-curing on tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) formation and quality of tobacco. Temperature, relative humidity, water content and water activity data were collected during curing of dark tobacco in traditional air-curing barns and bulk-curing barns of different sizes, and chemical analysis of the cured tobacco were performed.