Investigation on water distribution and state in tobacco leaves with stalks during curing by LF-NMR and MRI

The water distribution and state in tobacco leaves with stalks and without stalks during curing were measured by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging. Results showed that, moisture content of the stalk and midrib was higher than that of the lamina. Only immobilized and free water were found in the midrib of fresh tobacco leaves, whereas the bound water was found in the lamina and stalk. In addition, the mobility of each water state in the stalk and midrib was stronger than that in the lamina. Water migrated from the stalk to the lamina via the midrib during curing, which resulted in a higher proportion of free water in the lamina and a lower drying efficiency of tobacco leaves with stalks than those of nonstalks.