Tobacco is a preparation of the nicotine-rich leaves of an American plant, which are cured by a process of drying and fermentation for smoking or chewing.
Tobacco leaves and cut tobacco is extremely hygroscopic in nature and can easily regain moisture from the surrounding environment. If right moisture level and humidity control is not achieved during tobacco storage, following can happen:-
Storage area/Godown atmosphere is the main source of moisture in tobacco storage. The tobacco leaves, coming in little contact with the moisture can witness many changes in weight and other characteristics. The tobacco is normally stored in farms which have high relative humidity as compared.
Also tobacco is stored in compressed bales. As soon as the new lot arrives in the storage area, it brings a certain moisture with it during its transportation which when present in the godown for a certain time, leads to growth of Bacteria and fungus, supported by compressed bales.
Sanitation of the tobacco and its surroundings also plays a major factor as cause of uncontrolled moisture.
The general practice is to retain the equilibrium moisture content of the stored tobacco at 16% to 19%. For this, a relative humidity of 35% to 45% needs to be maintained inside the storage area in order to maintain their quality. Tobacco leaves have to dried properly before they are packed and marketed.
Bry-Air offers simplest and most economical solution to humidity related problems. Bry-Air dehumidifier absorbs moisture from the air to prevent tobacco from getting destroyed or lose its taste and value. Bry-Air Dehumidifier can maintain equilibrium moisture content of the stored tobacco at 16% to 19%.
