Effects of carboxymethyl modification on physicochemical properties, structure of fenugreek polysaccharide and its capabilities of aroma enhancement and moisture retention in cigarettes.

To enhance the aroma-enhancing and moisture-retaining capabilities of fenugreek polysaccharide (FP) for cigarette applications, carboxymethyl fenugreek polysaccharide (CFP) with different degrees of substitution (DS) was synthesized by carboxymethylation of FP. Subsequently, a systematic investigation was carried out on the aroma enhancing and moisture retaining characteristics of CFP with various DS values in cigarettes. The results revealed that carboxymethyl modification could influence the chemical composition, solubility, molecular weight, and monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharide. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis - gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PY - GC/MS) results indicated that carboxymethyl modification not only enhanced the thermal stability of the polysaccharide but also promoted the release of key aromatic compounds, such as aldehydes and ketones, during the thermal degradation process. The tobacco moisture retention test showed that CFP3 had a better moisture retention effect than propylene glycol. The results of this study suggest that carboxymethyl modified polysaccharides play a positive role in improving the aroma enhancing and moisture retaining capabilities of cigarettes.