[45]
Facsimile
Transcription
44
IV The Composition of Tobacco.
The components of tobacco, like those of all vegetable matters, arrange themselves under the three heads of water mineral acids and bases (which pass into ash or combustion and organic substances. According to Beauchef, the amount of ash from 100 parts of dry matter at 100[degree]C. is of the roots 6 to 8, in the stems 10 to 13, and in the ribs and leaves 18 to 22 per cent. The greater part of the ash consists of insoluble salts principally carbonate of lime. The soluble part consists of mostly potash salts (KCl, K2CO3, K2SO4, which may amount to from 5 to 35 percent., and it is remarkable that tobacco contains no soda. In addition to the mineral salts proper, tobacco contains salts of ammonia and nitrates.
The following is an enumertion of the proximate organic componants of tobacco leaves, and their relative proportions in 100 parts, according to numerous analyses made in several famous laboratories in France.
Notes and Questions
Please sign in to write a note for this page