34 



(6) The iDrincipal changes that take place during the curing and fer- 

 menting of tobacco are due to the action of soluble ferments or enzyms. 



(7) Several kinds of enzyms act in the curing process, (a) an amylo- 

 lytic, {b) a proteolytic, and (c) two oxidizing enzyms, while in the fer- 

 menting process the main changes are due to oxidizing enzyms alone, 

 and consist in the oxidation of nicotine and other compounds. 



(8) The presence of the amylolytic and the proteolytic enzyms is 

 inferred from the saccharification of the starch and the decomposition 

 of proteids, but the enzyms themselves have not yet been isolated from 

 the tobacco leaf. 



(9) In green tobacco two oxidizing enzj^ms may exist, an oxidase 

 and a peroxidase. The former succumbs, much more readily to noxious 

 influences than the latter and in all probability exerts a more powerful 

 action. 



(10) The development of color and aroma is due principally to the 

 action of the oxidizing enzyms. 



RECENT FOREIGN LITERATURE. 



Messier, Der Tabak, etc , Mauulieim, 1867. 



Schlosing, 8ur la Fermeutatiou en Masses dn Tabac, 1888 and 1889. 



MuUer-Tlinrgau, Ueber das Verbalten von Stiirkeuud Zucker in i-eifenden Tabaks- 

 Blattern, Laudw. Jabrb., 1885. 



Fesca and Jmai, Ueber Cultur, Bebandlung. und Zusammeusetzung japaniscber 

 Tabake, Landw. Jabrb., 1888. 



Wagner, Tabak-Kultur, etc., Weimar, 1888. 



Behrens, \Yeitere Beitriige ziir Kentuiss der Tabakspflanze, Laudw. Vers. Stat., 

 1891 and 1895. 



Eiessling, R., Der Tabak, etc., Berlin, 1893. - 



Mager, Adolf, Der Tabak, Landw. Vers. Stat., 1891. 



SuclisJand, Ueber Tabak-Fermentation, Ber. d. Deut. Bot. Ges., Heft IX, 1891. 



DavaIos,lsota sobre la Fermentacion del Tabaco; Abstr. in Centralbl. f. Bakt., 

 Heft XIII, 1893. 



Vernliout, Rapport over bet Bacteriologiscb Underzoek venGeifermenteerde Tabak, 

 1898; Abstr. in Centralbl. f. Bakt., Heft II, Abt. IV, p. 778. 



Behrens, Die Beziebungen der Mikroorgauisiuen znm Tabaksbau und zur Tabak- 

 Fabrikatiou, Sammel-Eeferat, Centralbl. f. Bakt., 1896, Heft II, Abtb, II, p. 514. 



