ANALYSIS OF CELLULOSE CONTENT IN STALKS ANDLEAVES OF LARGE LEAF TOBACCO

Tobacco stalks are an under-utilized material that remains after theharvest of leaves. Given the share of large leaf tobacco in total production in Serbia(more than 85%) stalks could be easily available as well as payable raw material inthe fabrication of cellulose. The aim of this study was to determine cellulosecontent in leaves and more importantly in stalks of large leaf tobacco and toprovide necessary data to processors engaged in processing of biomass. Stalks andleaves of two types of tobacco, Burley and Virginia, reared in Srem, were used asexperimental material samples. Two parallel methods were applied for determiningcellulose content: method by Kürschner-Hanack and method by Updegraff. It canbe concluded that both methods are applicable to tobacco, but the method byKürschner-Hanack was found to be simpler, more convenient, faster andeconomically more cost-effective. Thus, it should be recommended for use. Resultsshowed that stalks of large leaf tobacco contain on average 30.50% to 34.30% ofcellulose. There was no statistically significant difference in the cellulose contentbetween the two applied methods. Given the number of plants that lag behind infields after harvesting leaves, 28,000 tons of cellulose could be used.