Targeted regulation of hazardous substances from cigarette mainstream smoke based on the application of enzymes

The effect of exogenous enzyme treatment on hazardous substances and small-molecule compounds in smoke was investigated by treating Yunyan 87 tobacco with mesophilicα-amylase, pectinase, and lipase. The three enzymes could effectively diminish the total particulate matter (TPM) and nicotine-free dry particulate matter (NFDPM) content in smoke. Notably, mesophilicα-amylase demonstrated the most significant reduction, achieving a decrease of 8.15 % in TPM and 7.08 % in NFDPM content. The efficacy of these three enzymes in reducing phenol levels was remarkable, with a reduction exceeding 20 %. Pectinase and lipase exhibited superior performance in diminishing hydrogen cyanide (HCN) content, achieving a reduction of 13 %. The relative abundance of aroma-related and alkaloids compounds in smoke exhibited varying alterations after different enzyme treatments. The utilization of mesophilicα-amylase exhibited a favorable influence on the augmentation of aroma-related compounds, such as β-damascone and α-cyperone, whereas the effect of pectinase was opposite. The application of pectinase played a crucial role in the reduction of tobacco alkaloids and their related compounds. The occurrence of defects is unavoidable during the growth and curing process of tobacco leaves. Utilizing the characteristics of high efficiency and specificity of enzyme preparation for targeted modification of tobacco leaves is a viable method that can be tried to improve the quality of tobacco leaves. • Enzyme treatment effectively decreased phenol in smoke by more than 20 %. • Pectinase and lipase treatments reduced HCN by 13.63 % and 13.18 %, respectively. • Mesophilicα-amylase could improve aroma-related compounds in smoke. • The study can guide treatment to improve the safety and quality of tobacco.