JP6106595B2 - Fire-dried tobacco extract and tobacco products produced therefrom - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to products made from or derived from tobacco or incorporating tobacco and intended for human consumption. In particular, the present disclosure relates to compositions or formulations that incorporate tobacco, such as those intended for use in smokeless form.

  Cigarettes, cigars and pipes are widely used smoking devices that use various forms of tobacco. Such smokers are used by heating or burning tobacco to produce an aerosol (eg, smoke) that can be inhaled by the smoker. Tobacco can also be enjoyed in the so-called “smokeless tobacco” form. Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are used by inserting some form of processed tobacco or tobacco-containing formulation into the user's mouth. See, for example, Schwartz US Pat. No. 1,376,586, Levi US Pat. No. 3,696,917, Pittman et al. No. 4,513,756, Sensabaugh, Jr. No. 4,528,993, Story et al. No. 4,624,269, Tibbetts No. 4,991,599, Townsend No. 4,987,907, Springle, III et al. . No. 5,092,352; White et al. 5,387,416; Williams No. 6,668,839; Williams No. 6,834,654; Atchley et al. No. 6,953,040; Atchley et al. No. 7,032,601; and Breslin et al. No. 7,694,686; Williams US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0020503; Quinter et al. 2005/0115580; Strickland et al. No. 2005/0244521; Strickland et al. No. 2006/0191548; Holton, Jr. et al. No. 2007/0062549; Holton, Jr. et al. No. 2007/0186941; Strickland et al. No. 2007/0186942; Dube et al. No. 2008/0029110; Robinson et al. No. 2008/0029116; Mua et al. No. 2008/0029117; Robinson et al. No. 2008/0173317; Engstrom et al. No. 2008/0196730; Neilsen et al. 2008/0209586; Crawford et al. No. 2008/0305216; Essen et al. No. 2009/0065013; and Kumar et al. No. 2009/0293889; Arnarp et al. PCT WO 04/095959; and Mua et al. Various types of smokeless tobacco formulations, ingredients described in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 638,394, filed Dec. 15, 2009, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. And see processing methods.

  One type of smokeless tobacco product is called “sniff tobacco”. A typical type of wet snuff product, commonly referred to as “snus,” is manufactured in the West, especially in Sweden. See, for example, Bryzgalov et al. , 1N1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparable Life Cycle Assessment of General Loose and Portion Snus (2005). Furthermore, certain quality standards related to snus production are summarized as so-called GothiaTek standards. Typical smokeless tobacco products include R.I. J. et al. CAMEL Snus, CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips and CAMEL Sticks by Reynolds Tobacco Company; S. REVEL Mint Tobacco Packs and SKOAL Snus by Smokeless Tobacco Company; and MARLBORO Snus and Taboka by Philip Morris USA.

Various processing methods and additives have been proposed to change the overall characteristics or properties of tobacco materials used in tobacco products. For example, to change the chemical or sensory characteristics of tobacco materials, or in the case of smoked tobacco materials, to change the chemical or sensory characteristics of mainstream smoke produced by smoking devices containing tobacco materials In addition, additives or processes have been utilized. See, for example, Leffingwell et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. , Tobacco Flavoring for Smoke Products, R .; J. et al. See Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972). Furthermore, tobacco materials have been processed or blended in a manner intended to achieve certain sensory or chemical characteristics. See, eg, Lawson et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,066 and Marshall et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0245377.

  It would be desirable to provide a fun form for tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco products, and to provide a process for preparing tobacco-containing compositions suitable for use in smokeless tobacco products.

US Pat. No. 1,376,586 US Pat. No. 3,696,917 US Pat. No. 4,513,756 US Pat. No. 4,528,993 US Pat. No. 4,624,269 US Pat. No. 4,991,599 US Pat. No. 4,987,907 US Pat. No. 5,092,352 US Pat. No. 5,387,416 US Pat. No. 6,668,839 US Pat. No. 6,834,654 US Pat. No. 6,953,040 US Pat. No. 7,032,601 US Pat. No. 7,694,686 US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0020503 US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0115580 US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0191548 US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0062549 US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0186941 US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0186942 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0029110 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0029116 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0029117 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0173317 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0196730 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0209586 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0305216 US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0065013 US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0298989 International Publication No. 2004/095959 US Pat. No. 7,025,066 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0245377

Bryzgalov et al. , 1N1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparable Life Cycle Assessment of General Loose and Portion Snus (2005) Leffingwell et al. , Tobacco Flavoring for Smoke Products, R .; J. et al. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972)

  The present invention relates to smokeless tobacco products intended for or configured to be inserted into a user's oral cavity (eg, wet snuff, dry snuff, chewing tobacco, tobacco-containing gum and soluble or meltable Of tobacco products) and processes for preparing formulations suitable for use within such tobacco products. The tobacco products of the present invention include flavorful tobacco compositions, such as those having the form of fire-dried tobacco extract. In certain embodiments, the present invention exhibits unique sensory characteristics (eg, smoky aroma or flavor) associated with fire-dried tobacco, while simultaneously containing benzo [a] pyrene or other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Provided is a fire-cured tobacco extract that also exhibits advantageous chemical compositional differences compared to the overall fire-cured tobacco, such as reduced levels.

  The extract is generally an aqueous extract of the cured tobacco material, although certain other polar protic solvents or co-solvent mixtures containing water can be used without departing from the invention. . The concentration of benzo [a] pyrene in the extract is usually about 10 ppb or less, and often about 5 ppb or less.

  Smokeless tobacco compositions are a particularly important type of tobacco product that benefits from the extract of the present invention, but contain tobacco or tobacco components, but do not smoke, such as cigarettes or tobacco or other plant material Other tobacco products may benefit from such flavorful tobacco compositions, such as aerosol-generating devices that do not burn. Typically, tobacco products include tobacco material or non-tobacco plant material as a carrier for the extract.

  In another embodiment, the extract of the present invention is used to produce reconstituted tobacco material. In particular, such a material may comprise an extract of the present invention (eg, fire dried tobacco extract) combined with extracted tobacco pulp (eg, fire dried tobacco pulp), which pulp has a benzo [a] pyrene concentration. Has been pre-processed to lower. For example, fire dried tobacco extracted pulp can be pretreated by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction to reduce the benzo [a] pyrene concentration.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a flavorful tobacco composition characterized by low organoleptic properties and low benzo [a] pyrene concentration associated with fire-dried tobacco material. The method uses a fire-cured tobacco material having a first benzo [a] pyrene concentration (eg, at least about 100 ppb benzo [a] pyrene) to produce a slurry with a polar protic solvent (eg, water or water The co-solvent mixture comprising), and this slurry allows the fire-dried tobacco material and the polar protic solvent to be in intimate contact. The method also includes maintaining the slurry at a time and temperature sufficient to produce an extract comprising components of the cured tobacco material that is soluble in the polar protic solvent, the extract comprising: A second benzo [a] pyrene concentration that is lower than the first benzo [a] pyrene concentration (eg, benzo [a] pyrene less than about 10 ppb) is shown. The extract is then separated from the residual pulp material containing components of the fire-dried tobacco material that is insoluble in polar protic solvents. The method typically also includes utilizing the extract as a flavorful tobacco composition, for example, by introducing a separate extract into the tobacco product, which may then be incorporated into the tobacco product. Often, applying the separated extract to tobacco material or non-tobacco plant material to produce a spent material is included. In certain embodiments, to reduce the benzo [a] pyrene content, after processing of the pulp, this extract may be used as a second extract of pulp that is adapted to remove benzo [a] pyrene, etc. Recombine with the extracted pulp. For example, the method treats residual pulp material with supercritical carbon dioxide to reduce the benzo [a] pyrene concentration and produce a pulp material with a low benzo [a] pyrene concentration, followed by the treated material. Applying the separated extract to a pulp material having a low benzo [a] pyrene concentration. If desired, the extract can be concentrated by removing at least a portion of the solvent prior to incorporation into the tobacco product.

  In certain embodiments, the method includes the first benzo [a] pyrene to produce an aqueous slurry that provides intimate contact between the fire-dried tobacco material and water. A fire-fed tobacco material having a concentration is mixed with water; a flavorful and fragrant component of a water-soluble fire-fed tobacco material, a second benzo [a] lower than the first benzo [a] pyrene concentration The slurry is maintained for a time and at a temperature sufficient to produce a fire dry tobacco extract comprising an aqueous fire dry tobacco extract exhibiting a pyrene concentration; the ingredients of the fire dry tobacco material that are insoluble in water Separating the aqueous fire-fed tobacco extract from the residual pulp material comprising; mixing the tobacco or non-tobacco plant material with the aqueous fire-fed tobacco extract to produce a smokeless tobacco composition; It provides a process for preparing compositions suitable for use as objects.

  In order to make the embodiments of the present invention comprehensible, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the reference numerals refer to components of representative embodiments of the present invention. . The drawings are only exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a smoking device having the form of a cigarette, showing the smokable material, packaging material components and filter elements of the cigarette. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the product of the smokeless tobacco product embodiment, showing the outer bag filled with the smokeless tobacco composition of the present invention.

  Here, the present invention will be described in more detail below. While the invention may be embodied in many different forms, it should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete. And provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference to “dry weight percent” or “dry weight base” refers to weight based on dry ingredients (ie, all inclusions except moisture).

  The present invention provides a process for preparing a flavorful tobacco composition in the form of a tobacco extract. In certain embodiments, the extracts of the present invention provide tobacco compositions that have advantageous sensory properties combined with a low amount of certain compounds found in non-extracted tobacco material. The process of the present invention is particularly useful for producing extracts of fire-dried tobacco material, but other tobacco, such as tobacco dried using other drying techniques (eg, air-dried tobacco material). Can be applied to tobacco material. “Fire-dry tobacco” as used herein refers to tobacco material that has been subjected to a fire-drying process. In fire drying, typically over several weeks, tobacco leaves are exposed to gaseous combustion products from an open flame in a dry container, resulting in a unique smoky aroma and flavor. The unique sensory characteristics of fire-dried tobacco can in some cases be expressed as woody, sweet, nutty, spicy, earthy or sour. The fire used for such a curing process is usually characterized by a weak fire or roar, that is, the fire is maintained in a state that promotes smoke production. Fire-fed tobacco is sometimes referred to as “dark fire” or “dark-fired” tobacco. See, for example, US Pat. Nos. 7,650,891 and 7,650,892 (both Groves et al.) And Thomas et al. No. 7,757,697, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, see the fire drying process and characteristics of the resulting tobacco. See also Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999), pages 164-182.

  During fire drying, the tobacco material is brought into close contact and contact with the gaseous combustion products of the fire, i.e. smoke from the fire, which directly contacts the surface of the tobacco material in the drying container. As a result of this interaction between smoke and tobacco, chemical changes to tobacco materials that result in both the unique smoky aroma and flavor commonly associated with fire-dried tobacco and other less desirable in tobacco A chemical change occurs. The present invention provides at least a portion of a firefed tobacco component that provides a distinctive sensory characteristic (ie, smoky aroma and flavor) from at least a portion of the firefoil tobacco component that does not contribute significantly to the desired unique sensory characteristics Provides a process of separating In other words, the present invention selectively extracts components of fire dry tobacco that are desired from a sensory point of view, but leaves at least some of the components that are not necessary or desired from a sensory point of view, Provides a separation process.

When the process of the present invention is applied to fire-cured tobacco material, in certain embodiments, it is characterized by the desired sensory characteristics associated with fire-cured tobacco (eg, smoky aroma and flavor) [A] Extracts can be formed with chemical profile changes that include a reduction in certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons commonly found in fire-cured tobacco, such as pyrene (ie, BaP). The structure of BaP is given below.

  A discussion of BaP and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can be found in Gelboin, Physiological Reviews 60 (4) (1980) 1107-1166; Phillips, Mutation Research 443 (1999) 139-147; Rodgman and Perfetrichtb 22 (1) (2006) 13-69; Rodgman and Cook, Contributions to Tobacco research 23 (6) (2009) 384-410; Rodgman and T.W. A. Perfetti, The Chemical Components of Tobacco and Tobacco Smoke, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, USA, (2009) (all incorporated herein by reference).

  A smoking tobacco extract containing low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exhibits the desired sensory characteristics of fire-dried tobacco, but has a low content of compounds such as BaP that are not related to the desired sensory characteristics Allows the production of ingredients and smokeless tobacco compositions. It should be noted that the human sensory panel can be used to evaluate the sensory properties of the composition as understood in the art.

  Although the BaP content can vary based on the particular tobacco plant and the specific fire drying process used, a typical BaP range for fire-dried tobacco is about 150 to about 800 ppb (parts by billion) is there. In certain embodiments of the invention, fire-dried tobacco extracts can be produced that have significantly lower BaP levels, such as less than about 10 ppb, less than about 5 ppb, or even less than about 1 ppb. In other words, the amount of BaP reduction that occurs during the extraction process of the present invention is a reduction of at least about 90%, more often at least about 95% or at least about 99% of the BaP content in the original non-extracted tobacco material. Can be characterized as It has not been known to date that it can produce a fire-fed tobacco extract that retains the unique sensory elements of such tobacco but has a low content of certain less desirable chemical compounds such as BaP. It was. In certain embodiments of the methods of the present invention, the BaP concentration of the cured tobacco material (eg, fire dried tobacco) subjected to the extraction process has a BaP concentration of at least about 100 ppb, more often at least about 150 ppb, or even at least About 200 ppb or at least about 300 ppb. After the extraction process, the separated extract exhibits a very low BaP concentration, such as a concentration of about 10 ppb or less, or a concentration of about 5 ppb or less, or a concentration of about 1 ppb or less.

  Various methods for determining the BaP content are known in the art. Typically, this method involves extracting BaP from tobacco material with methanol or a relatively non-polar solvent such as hexane, cyclohexane or methylene chloride. The extract is then filtered and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods with fluorescence detection or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. Publications for extraction and detection of BaP in tobacco or tobacco products include Rodgman and Perfetti, Contributions to Tobacco Research 22 (1) (2006) 13-69; Risner, Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 15 (1) (1991) 11-17; “Determination of Benzo [a] Pyrene in Whole Tobacco”, Health Canada (1999) (published on Health Canada website, www.hc-sc.gc.ca), Aygun et al. , International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 56 (8) (2005) 581-585; and McNeill et al. , Tob. Control 15 (2006) 64-67, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  The fire-dried tobacco used in the process of the present invention includes Narrow Leaf Madole, Improved Madele, Tom Rosson Madele, Newton's VH Madele, Little Couldenden, Green Wood, Little Wood, Little Wood, Little Wood Mention may be made of tobacco materials commonly used in fire-drying, such as DT592, KY171, DF911, DF485, TN D94, TN D950, VA309 and VA359. However, iron pipe drying or Virginia (eg K326), valley, sun-dried (eg Indian knurur and oriental tobacco including katelini, prelip, komotini, shanti and yanbol tobacco), Maryland, dark, dark Air cured (eg, Pasanda, Cubano, Jaten and Buzouki tobacco), light air cured (eg, North Wisconsin and Garpao tobacco), Indian air dried, Red Russian and Rustica tobacco Any tobacco material can be used without departing from the invention, including tobacco commonly referred to as well as various other rare or special tobaccos . A description of various types of tobacco, growing and harvesting activities is described in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999), incorporated herein by reference. Various representative types of Nicotiana plants are described by Goodspeed, The Genus Nicotiana (Chonica Botanical) (1954), Sensabaugh, Jr et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,577, White et al. No. 5,387,416 and Lawson et al. No. 7,025,066; Lawrence, Jr. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0037623 and Marshall et al. No. 2008/0245377 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, the extraction process of the present invention utilizes tobacco varieties that are generally cured through a curing process other than fire drying, such as iron tube drying or air drying. If necessary, such tobacco materials may be cured using a fire drying process in some cases, instead of the traditional curing process used for such materials. it can.

  The particular Nicotiana genus of the materials used in the present invention can also vary. Of particular interest is N.I. N.alata, N.A. N. alentsii, N. Excelsior, N. N. forgettiana, N. et al. N. glauca, N. N. glutinosa, N. N. gossei, N. Kawakami (N. kawakami), N. Kawakami. N. knittedana, N. N. langsdorfii, N. N. otophora, N. N. setcherii, N. N. sylvestris, N. N. tomentosa, N. tomentosa. N. tomentosiformis, N. N. undulata and N. undulata x N. x sanderae. N. N. africana, N. african N. amplexicaulis, N. N. benavidesii, N. N. bonariensis, N. N. debneyi, N. Longiflora, N. longiflora N. maritina, N.M. Megalosiphon (N. megalosiphon), N.M. N. occidentalis, N. et al. Paniculata, N. paniculata Planbaginifolia (N. plumbaginifolia), N. N. raimondii, N. N. rosurata, N. N. rustica, N. N. simulans, N. simulans N. stocktoni, N. N. suaveolens, N. N. tabacum, N. N. umbratica, N. N. velutina and N. Also interesting is N. wigandioides. Other plants of the genus Nicotiana include N. N. acaulis, N. N. acminata, N. Attenuata, N. Attenuata N. benthamiana, N.B. N. cavicola, N. N. clevelandii, N. Clevelandi. N. cordifolia, N. cordifolia N. corymbosa, N. et al. Fragrance, N. fragrance. N. goodspeedii, N. N. linearis, N. N. miersii, N.M. N. nudicaulis, N. N. obtusifolia, N. obsifolia. Occidentalis subsp. Hersperis, N. Occidentalis subsp. N. pauciflora, N. p. N. petunioides, N. N. quadrivalis, N. N. repanda, N. repanda. N. rotundifolia, N. N. solanifolia and N. solifolia. N. spegazzinii. Nicotiana can be generated using genetic recombination or crossing techniques (eg, tobacco plants can be genetically modified or crossed to increase or decrease the production of certain components or change certain characteristics or attributes) .) See, for example, Fitzmaurice et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,093, Wahab et al. No. 5,668,295; Fitzmaurice et al. et al. No. 5,705,624; Weigl No. 5,844,119; Dominguez et al. No. 6,730,832; Liu et al. No. 7,173,170; Colliver et al. No. 7,208,659; and Benning et al. No. 7,230,160; Conkling et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0236434; and Nielsen et al. See the genetic modification of plants of the type described in PCT WO2008 / 103935.

  At least some of the Nicotiana plants can be used in immature or mature form. The tobacco material used in the present invention can also be subjected to aging conditions.

  According to the present invention, any tobacco material of the type described above is harvested and subjected to a curing process such as a fire-drying process. Next, use certain polar protic solvents such as water, formic acid, acetic acid, dilute aqueous solutions (eg, solutions containing more than 70% water and a small amount of alcohol or other co-solvent) or mixtures thereof. The cured tobacco obtained is subjected to an extraction process. The solvent typically has a dielectric constant of at least about 6, more often at least about 30, and most often at least about 50 at room temperature.

  Solvents with aqueous characteristics such as deionized water, distilled water or tap water are particularly useful. Such a solvent consists mainly of water, usually more than 90% by weight of water, and can be essentially pure water in certain situations. The extraction solvent can be a co-solvent mixture, such as water and a small mixture of one or more solvents that are miscible with water. An example of such a co-solvent mixture is a solvent consisting of about 95 parts by weight water and about 5 parts by weight ethanol. Extraction solvents can also include water with substances such as pH adjusters (ie acids or bases) or pH buffers dissolved in water.

  The extraction process involves intimate contact of the tobacco material with a solvent at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate time. Although the extraction temperature can vary, a typical temperature range is from around room temperature to about 110 ° C, more often from about 30 ° C to about 90 ° C. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the extraction stage can be characterized as at least about 20 ° C, at least about 30 ° C, at least about 50 ° C, or at least about 60 ° C. It may be advisable to use a relatively low temperature for the extraction process in order to prevent or reduce the volatilization of the flavorful or fragrant compounds that are the main target of the extraction process.

  The duration of the extraction stage can vary, but is usually from about 10 minutes to about 24 hours, more often from about 1 hour to about 12 hours. Although time is not considered particularly important to the present invention, a very short extraction time can result in many of the extractable components of the tobacco material not being extracted.

  The amount of solvent used in the extraction process can vary, but is usually sufficient to contain the tobacco material in slurry form. In other words, the solvent is usually the major component of the tobacco / solvent mixture and is often present in large excess in comparison to the tobacco component. The weight ratio of solvent to tobacco material is typically in the range of about 2: 1 to about 20: 1 (eg, about 4: 1 to about 12: 1), but other weights can be used without departing from the invention. Ratios (especially even higher ratios) can be used. In certain embodiments, the use of a smaller amount of water or other solvent may be advantageous as it may be necessary to keep the extract from drying too much if it must be concentrated prior to use. . Excessive drying of the extract can cause loss of certain volatile flavorful or savory components of the extract, which can result in some loss of the extract's unique sensory characteristics . Thus, using a solvent to tobacco material weight ratio of less than about 5: 1 or less than about 4: 1 during extraction reduces or reduces the need to dry or concentrate the resulting extract. It can be a useful technique to eliminate. In such embodiments, the extract is expected to exhibit a relatively high viscosity and can be applied to certain tobacco products without further processing.

  The manner in which the solvent and tobacco material are combined for extraction can vary. The solvent and tobacco material may be contacted, combined or mixed together in a conical blender, mixing drum, ribbon blender, and the like. During the extraction stage, the mixture can be stirred or subjected to a crushing process. After extraction, residual pulp is removed from the liquid extract using any method known in the art, such as filtration or centrifugation. Tobacco materials are typically in chopped or particulate form, such as tobacco particles, whose particle size ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 25 mm during extraction. The container in which the tobacco material and the solvent are mixed is typically vented so that the extraction proceeds at atmospheric pressure, or a pressurized container may be used if necessary. After the extraction process, a tobacco extract is provided by separating the solvent-insoluble pulp material from the solvent and the solvent-soluble or dispersible tobacco components dissolved or dispersed therein.

  Equipment, solvent for obtaining tobacco extract, including equipment, solvents and techniques that can optionally be used in the method of the invention or can be suitably modified for use in the method of the invention Types and techniques are described in Fiore et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,895, Osborne, Jr. et al. No. 4,150,677, Reid No. 4,267,847, Wildman et al. No. 4,289,147, Brummer et al. No. 4,351,346, Brummer et al. No. 4,359,059, Muller No. 4,506,682, Kertissis No. 4,589,428, Soga et al. No. 4,605,016, Paulose et al. No. 4,716,911, Niven, Jr. et al. No. 4,727,889, Bernasek et al. No. 4,887,618, Clapp et al. No. 4,941,484, Fagg et al. No. 4,967,771, Roberts et al. No. 4,986,286, Fagg et al. No. 5,005,593, Grubbs et al. No. 5,018,540, White et al. No. 5,060,669, Fagg No. 5,065,775, White et al. No. 5,074,319, White et al. No. 5,099,862, White et al. No. 5,121,757, Fagg No. 5,131,414, Munoz et al. No. 5,131,415, Fagg No. 5,148,819, Kramer No. 5,197,494, Smith et al. No. 5,230,354, Fagg No. 5,234,008, Smith No. 5,243,999, Raymond et al. No. 5,301,694, Gonzalez-Parra et al. No. 5,318,050, Teague No. 5,343,879, Newton No. 5,360,022, Clapp et al. No. 5,435,325, Brinkley et al. No. 5,445,169, Lauterbach No. 6,131,584, Kielulff et al. No. 6,298,859, Mua et al. No. 6,772,767 and Thompson No. 7,337,782, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  After separation of the extract from the pulp, both the extract and the residual pulp can be further processed as needed. For example, the extract can be processed in a manner intended to concentrate the dissolved or dispersed components of the tobacco material by removing at least a portion of the solvent. Various methods of solvent removal can be used, such as heat treatment to evaporate the solvent (eg, with an evaporator and condenser), reverse osmosis membrane treatment, spray drying or freeze drying. In the case of an aqueous extract, what is needed in the concentration step can be simply heating the extract to a temperature above the boiling point of water in a vented vessel. Change the chemical composition of the extract, such as reaction with acids or bases, ultrafiltration to remove high molecular weight components, treatment to remove additional components of the extract, such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) The extract can also be subjected to other processing steps designed to be performed.

  In one specific embodiment, the extract that is essentially free of BaP is processed to reduce the TSNA concentration in the extract. Representative TSNA compounds include N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), 4-methyl-N-nitrosamine-1- (3-pyridyl) -1-butanone (NNK), N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT), 4 -Methyl-N-nitrosoamino-1- (3-pyridyl) -1-butanol (NNAL) and N-nitrosoanabasin (NAB). Methods for reducing TSNA levels can vary. In one method, preparative HPLC techniques are used, in which the extract is passed through an HPLC column and a portion of the extract eluted from the column with a known retention time for TSNA compounds is simply discarded. In another method, the extract is passed through a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) material having functional groups that selectively adsorb to TSNA compounds. Representative TSNA-specific MIP materials include the polymeric adsorbents marketed by Sigma-Aldrich Company under the brand name SupelMIP® SPE and Affinilute ™ MIP material available from Biotage AB. It is done. Various techniques can be used to contact the extract with the polymeric adsorbent to selectively adsorb the TSNA compound, such as packing the adsorbent into a column and passing the extract through it. In certain embodiments, the TSNA level of the extract can be reduced from greater than 1,000 ppb or even greater than 2,000 ppb to less than about 400 ppb or less than about 300 ppb or less than about 200 ppb. In some cases, TSNA levels can be reduced to less than about 100 ppb or less than about 50 ppb.

  In certain embodiments, the residual tobacco pulp produced in the extraction process is treated to prepare pulp for recombination with an extract to produce a reconstituted tobacco material having a reduced benzo [a] pyrene concentration. The benzo [a] pyrene concentration can be reduced. For example, supercritical carbon dioxide or another suitable solvent (eg, a relatively non-polar solvent such as hexane, cyclohexane, etc., so that benzo [a] pyrene dissolves in the solvent to facilitate removal from the pulp. Or methylene chloride, etc.) can be used to subject the pulp to a second extraction process. Carbon dioxide extraction processes that can be used in the present invention or that can be suitably modified for use in the present invention are described, for example, in Roselieus et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,063; Muller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,682; Gahrs, U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,617; Niven, Jr. et al. No. 4,727,889, Grubbs et al. No. 5,018,540 and Clapp et al. No. 5,435,325, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The reconstituted tobacco material can then be produced by adding the extract from the original extraction process back to the pretreated pulp. Representative schemes and methods for providing reconstituted tobacco sheets, including casting and papermaking techniques, are described in Kertissis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,519; Clapp et al. No. 4,941,484; Young et al. No. 4,987,906; Kiernan et al. No. 4,972,854; Young et al. No. 5,099,864; Sonn et al. No. 5,143,097; Brinkley et al. No. 5,159,942; Brinkley et al. No. 5,322,076; Young et al. No. 5,339,838; Litzinger et al. No. 5,377,698; Young, US Pat. No. 5,501,237; and Kumar, US Pat. No. 6,216,707, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. ing. Fagg, US Pat. No. 5,065,775 and Newton et al. See also tobacco extraction and reconstituted tobacco processes described in US Pat. No. 5,360,022, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  The tobacco material subjected to the extraction process can also be subjected to a pretreatment process intended to modify the sensory, chemical or physical properties of the material. For example, it may be desirable to pre-treat tobacco material to remove tobacco components that may produce a bad sensory off-flavor so that such components are not extracted during the course of the present invention. Typical pretreatment processes for tobacco materials include fermentation, bleaching and the like.

  In some embodiments of the present invention, it is advantageous to pretreat fire-fed tobacco to change sensory characteristics so that it may be characterized by producing a lighter flavor or aroma. One typical process that can produce a lighter flavor or aroma in certain tobacco materials, such as fire-fed tobacco, is fermentation. During fermentation, tobacco material and bacteria interact in a humid temperature and pH controlled environment, changing the chemical profile of the tobacco material. In the extraction process of the present invention, commercially available fermented tobacco materials such as wet snuff compositions marketed as GRIZZLY or KODIAK smokeless tobacco may be used. Tobacco fermentation processes are described, for example, in Giacomo et al. , Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73 (3) (2007) 825-837; Roth et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,149; and Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999) Giacomo et al. , Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73 (3) (2007) 825-837; Roth et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,149; and Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999) (all incorporated herein by reference).

  Tobacco extracts can be utilized as flavorful tobacco compositions that can be incorporated into various tobacco products. In particular, the fire-fed tobacco extract of the present invention can be applied to a variety of tobacco products without the introduction of certain chemical compounds such as BaP associated with significant amounts of unextracted or whole fire-fed tobacco. The unique sensory characteristics can be imparted. Tobacco extracts (eg, aqueous tobacco extracts) can be used in various forms. For example, tobacco extracts can be isolated in essentially solvent-free form, such as those that can be obtained as a result of spray drying or freeze drying processes or use of other types of processing steps. Alternatively, the content of tobacco lysate in liquid form, and in the liquid solvent, to select the amount of solvent used for extraction, to concentrate the liquid tobacco extract by removing the solvent, to dilute the liquid tobacco extract An aqueous tobacco extract can be used so that it can be adjusted, for example, by addition of a solvent.

  Tobacco products to which the extract of the present invention is added may vary, including any product configured or adapted to deliver tobacco or some of its components to the user of the product. Exemplary tobacco products include smoking articles (eg, cigarettes), smokeless tobacco products, and aerosol generating devices that contain tobacco material or other plant material that is not burned during use.

  Extraction of the present invention into tobacco products, such as by adhering the extract to a tobacco or other plant material, or by attaching spray-dried particles of the extract on the carrier material, such as by association of the extract with the carrier material and the extract. Product incorporation includes the use of tobacco material or non-tobacco plant material as a carrier for the extract. The type of tobacco that can be a carrier for the extracts of the present invention can vary, including various cured tobacco materials (eg, iron tube dried or air dried tobacco) or portions thereof (eg, Any tobacco type discussed herein may be included, including tobacco leaf or tobacco stem. In certain embodiments, the tobacco to which the extract is applied is a fermented tobacco material, and the extract is applied either before, during or after the fermentation process. Tobacco materials to which the present extract is applied, such as many air-dried or iron tube dried tobacco materials or tobacco materials that have been pre-treated to reduce BaP levels, can usually be characterized by relatively low BaP levels. The physical structure of the tobacco material to which the extract is added can also vary, and can include tobacco material in shredded or granular form or in sheet form (eg, reconstituted tobacco sheet) or in full leaf form. The dry weight ratio of the tobacco material to the extract of the present invention can vary, but is typically about 4: 1 to about 1: 4, about 2: 1 to about 1: 2, and often about 1.5 : 1 to about 1: 1.5.

  In certain embodiments, the extract of the present invention is used as a flavorful tobacco composition in the manufacture of a smoking article. For example, an extract prepared in accordance with the present invention is mixed with a casing material and applied to tobacco as a casing ingredient (eg, Shelar, U.S. Pat. No. 4, incorporated herein by reference). 819,668), can be incorporated into a smoking device as a top dressing component, or incorporated into a reconstituted tobacco material (eg, US Pat. No. 5,143,097 to Sonn, Brinkley et al., 5,159,942; Jakob, 5,598,868; Young, 5,715,844; Gellaly, 5,724,998; and Kumar's No. 6,216,706 (these are references The incorporated herein.) The type of tobacco reconstitution processes which are described generally in use.). Still further, the extract of the present invention can be incorporated into a cigarette filter (eg, in a filter plug, plug wrap or chip paper) during the cigarette manufacturing process, or preferably in the cigarette wrap, Can be incorporated on the inner surface.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the processing of certain representative components of a cigarette form smoking device 10 and a smoking device that may contain the extract of the present invention is shown. The cigarette 10 is typically a single dose or a roll of smokable filler material (eg, about 0.3 to about 1.0 g of smokable filler material, such as tobacco material) contained in the circumscribing wrap material 16. A cylindrical rod 12 is included. This rod 12 is conventionally called a “cigarette rod”. The end of the tobacco rod 12 is open and the smokable filler material is exposed. The cigarette 10 is shown as having some optional band 22 (eg, a printed coating comprising a film former, such as starch, ethylcellulose or sodium alginate) that is added to the wrapping material 16, It circumscribes the cigarette rod at right angles to the long axis of the cigarette. Bands 22 can be printed on the inner surface of the wrap material (i.e., facing the smokable filler material), or less preferably, can be printed on the outer surface of the wrap material.

  One end of the tobacco rod 12 is the ignition end 18 and the mouth end 20 has a filter element 26. The filter element 26 is located adjacent to one end of the tobacco rod 12 such that the filter element and the tobacco rod are aligned axially in the end-to-end direction, preferably adjacent to each other. The filter element 26 can be typically cylindrical and its diameter can be essentially the same as the diameter of the tobacco rod. The end of the filter element 26 is adapted to allow air and smoke to pass therethrough.

  A breathable or air diluted smoking device may be provided with any air dilution means, such as a series of perforations 30 each extending over the chip material and the plug web. Arbitrary perforations 30 can be made by various techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as laser drilling techniques. Alternatively, so-called non-direct air dilution techniques can be used (eg by using porous paper plug wrap and pre-perforated chip paper).

  The extracts of the present invention can also be incorporated into aerosol generating devices containing tobacco material (or parts or components thereof) that are not burned during use. Representative references describing types of smoking devices that produce flavored vapors, visible aerosols or mixtures of flavored vapors and visible aerosols include Ellis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,015; Ellis et al. No. 3,356,094; Moses 3,516,417; Lanzellotti et al. No. 4,347,855; Bolt et al. No. 4,340,072; Burnett et al. No. 4,391,285; Riehl et al. No. 4,917,121; Litzinger 4,924,886; and Hearn et al. No. 5,060,676, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Many smoking devices of these types use a combustible fuel source that is combusted to provide an aerosol and / or to heat an aerosol-forming material. See, for example, Clearman et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,318; Banerjee et al. No. 4,714,082; White et al. No. 4,771,795; Sensabaugh et al. No. 4,793,365; Clearman et al. No. 4,917,128; Korte No. 4,961,438; Serrano et al. No. 4,966,171; Bale et al. No. 4,969,476; Serrano et al. No. 4,991,606; Farrier et al. No. 5,020,548; Clearman et al. No. 5,033,483; Schlatter et al. No. 5,040,551; Creighton et al. No. 5,050,621; Lawson, 5,065,776; Nystrom et al. No. 5,076,296; Farrier et al. No. 5,076,297; Clearman et al. No. 5,099,861; Drewett et al. No. 5,105,835; Barnes et al. No. 5,105,837; Hauser et al. No. 5,115,820; Best et al. No. 5,148,821; Hayward et al. No. 5,159,940; Riggs et al. No. 5,178,167; Clearman et al. No. 5,183,062; Shannon et al. No. 5,211,684; Devi et al. No. 5,240,014; Nichols et al. No. 5,240,016; Clearman et al. No. 5,345,955; Riggs et al. No. 5,551,451; Bensalem et al. No. 5,595,577; Barnes et al. No. 5,819,751; Matsuura et al. No. 6,089,857; Beven et al 6,095,152; Beven 6,578,584; and Dominguez 6,730,832; Incorporated herein by reference). In addition, certain types of cigarettes that use carbonaceous fuel elements are described in R.C. J. et al. Commercially available under the brand names “Premier” and “Eclipse” by Reynolds Tobacco Company. See, for example, Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Institute of Burn Tobacco, R.A. J. et al. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988) and Inhalation Toxiology, 12: 5, p. See cigarettes of the type described in 1-58 (2000). A further type of aerosol generating device is described by Robinson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0196518 and 2007/0267031, both to Hon, which are all incorporated herein by reference. Has been.

  Smokeless tobacco products such as loose type wet snuff (eg snus), loose type dry snuff, chewing tobacco, pelleted tobacco pieces (eg pills, tablets, spheres, coins, beads, In the form of obroid or bean), extruded or formed tobacco strips, pieces, rods, cylinders or sticks, finely crushed powder, finely divided or ground aggregates of powdered pieces and components, flakes Shaped pieces, molded tobacco pieces, tobacco-containing gum pieces, rolls of tape-like films, films or strips that are readily soluble or dispersible in water (eg, US Patent Application No. 2006/2006 to Chan et al. 0198873) or encapsulated material with an outer shell (eg, A cigarette or tobacco flavor (eg, a Newtonian or thixotropic fluid that incorporates some form of cigarette) with an interior region and the like, such as a transparent or colorless, translucent or dark colored shell that may be transparent, colorless, translucent or dark in nature Can be incorporated into. Various types of smokeless tobacco products are described in Schwartz, US Pat. No. 1,376,586; Levi, 3,696,917; Pittman et al. No. 4,513,756; Sensabaugh, Jr. et al. No. 4,528,993; Story et al. No. 4,624,269; Townsend 4,987,907; Springle, III et al. No. 5,092,352; and White et al. No. 5,387,416; Strickland et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 and Engstrom et al. 2008/0196730; Arnarp et al. PCT WO 04/095959; Atchley et al. PCT WO05 / 063060; Bjorholm PCT WO05 / 016036; and Quinter et al. PCT WO05 / 041699, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Atchley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,040 and Atchley et al. No. 7,032,601; Williams U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0162562; Williams No. 2002/0162563; Atchley et al. No. 2003/0070687; Williams No. 2004/0020503, Breslin et al. 2005/0178398; Strickland et al. No. 2006/0191548; Holton, Jr. et al. No. 2007/0062549; Holton, Jr. et al. No. 2007/0186941; Strickland et al. No. 2007/0186942; Dube et al. No. 2008/0029110; Robinson et al. No. 2008/0029116; Mua et al. No. 2008/0029117; Robinson et al. No. 2008/0173317; Neilsen et al. No. 2008/0209586; Gerardi et al. No. 2010/0018541; Doolittle et al. No. 2010/0018540; and Marshall et al. See also smokeless tobacco formulations, components and processing methods of the type described in US 2010/0116281, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a representative snus type tobacco product comprising the extract of the present invention is shown. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a smokeless tobacco product 40 having a water permeable outer bag 42 containing a smokeless tobacco composition 44, which comprises a shredded or particulate tobacco material that is a carrier for the extract of the present invention. Including.

  Many typical smokeless tobacco compositions that can benefit from the use of the extract of the present invention include shredded or particulate tobacco material that can serve as a carrier for the flavorful extract of the present invention. The smokeless tobacco composition of the present invention may also include a water soluble polymeric binder material and optionally other ingredients that provide a soluble composition that slowly disintegrates in the oral cavity during use. In certain embodiments, in certain embodiments, as described in Cantell et al., Filed Aug. 11, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference. Smokeless tobacco compositions, such as the compositions described in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 854,342, contain lipidic ingredients that result in a meltable composition that melts in the oral cavity (as opposed to simply dissolving). May be included.

  In certain smokeless tobacco product embodiments, the extract of the present invention is added to non-tobacco plant materials, such as plant materials selected from potatoes, beets (eg, sugar beets), cereals, peas, apples, and the like. Non-tobacco plant material can be used in the processed form. In certain preferred embodiments, non-tobacco plant material can be used in the extracted form and as at least a portion of certain solvent soluble components are removed from the material. Non-tobacco extracted plant material is usually highly extracted, that is, a substantial amount of the water-soluble portion of the plant material has been removed. For example, a water-extracted pulp can be obtained by extracting a considerable amount of water-soluble components from plant material. For example, certain water-extracted plant materials can contain less than about 20% by weight, and often less than about 10% by weight of water-soluble components; depending on processing conditions, certain water-extracted plant materials can be Can be substantially free of water-soluble ingredients (eg, less than about 1% by weight of water-soluble ingredients). One preferred water extracted plant material is water extracted sugar beet pulp (eg, water extracted sugar beet leaf pulp). The extracted non-tobacco plant material is usually used in a form that can be described as shredded, ground, granulated, finely granulated or powdered form. The dry weight ratio of the non-tobacco plant material to the tobacco extract of the present invention is typically about 4: 1 to about 1: 4, about 2: 1 to about 1: 2, and often about 1.5: 1 to about 1: 1.5. This type of smokeless tobacco product is described in Beeson et al., Filed Apr. 8, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 756,656.

  In accordance with the present invention, additional additives can be mixed with the smokeless tobacco composition or incorporated into the smokeless tobacco composition. Additives can be artificial or can be obtained from herbal or biological sources. Typical types of additives include salts (eg, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, etc.), natural sweeteners (eg, fructose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, Vanillin, ethyl vanillin glucoside, mannose, galactose, lactose, etc.), artificial sweeteners (eg, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, neoterm, etc.), organic and inorganic fillers (eg, grains, processed grains, Puffed grains, maltodextrin, dextrose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, corn starch, lactose, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, ground cellulose, etc., binder (eg povidone, sodium) Carboxymethylcellulose and other modified cellulose type binders, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, starch-based binders, gum arabic, lecithin, etc.), pH adjusters or buffers (eg, metal hydroxides, preferably alkali metal hydroxides such as Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide and other alkali metal buffers such as metal carbonates, preferably potassium or sodium carbonate, or metal bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate, colorants such as caramel colorants And dyes and pigments containing titanium dioxide), wetting agents (eg glycerin, propylene glycol etc.), oral care additives (eg thyme oil, eucalyptus oil and zinc), preservatives (eg potassium sorbate), syrup Eg honey, high fructose corn syrup), disintegration aids (eg microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized corn starch, etc.), flavorings and flavor mixtures, antioxidants and their Of the mixture. If necessary, Dube et al. Additives can be microencapsulated as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0029110 (incorporated herein by reference).

  The amount of tobacco extract added to the tobacco composition or tobacco product can vary, in part, of the desired function of the extract, the chemical composition of the extract and the tobacco composition or product to which the extract is added. Depends on type. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the amount added to the tobacco product typically does not exceed about 25% by weight relative to the total dry weight of the tobacco composition to which the extract is added. When the extract is used in a smoking device, the amount of the extract is usually at least about 5 ppm, typically at least about 10 ppm, and more based on the total dry weight of tobacco material in the smoking device. Is at least about 100 ppm, but usually less than about 5%, generally less than about 2%, and often less than about 1%, based on the total dry weight of the tobacco material in the smoking article. When the extract is used in a smokeless tobacco product, the amount of extract is usually at least about 5 ppm, generally at least about 10 ppm, based on the total dry weight of the tobacco material in the smokeless tobacco product. , More often at least about 100 ppm; usually less than about 10%, generally less than about 5%, and often about 1 based on the total dry weight of tobacco material in the smokeless tobacco product. %.

Experimental Embodiments of the invention are described in further detail by the following examples which are set forth to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting. Unless stated otherwise, all parts and percentages are by weight.

Example 1
Extract fire-dried tobacco with water. A typical extraction process combines ground tobacco (eg, 100% passing through a 0.250 inch screen) with water at a temperature of about 72 ° C. at a ratio of 1 part tobacco to 8 parts water. The mixture is stirred for 1 hour and removed by filtering the suspended solids using a 5 micron filter bag. The resulting tobacco extract retains the aroma and sensory characteristics of fire-dried tobacco. The original fire-fed tobacco has a BaP level of about 150 to 800 parts per virion prior to extraction, and the isolated liquid extract has a BaP level of less than about 1 part per virion.

Example 2
Air-dried tobacco is subjected to the same extraction process as described in Example 1. The original fired tobacco has a BaP level of about 10 to 150 parts per virion before extraction, and the BaP level of the separated liquid extract is less than about 1 part per virion.

  Those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs will contemplate many modifications and other embodiments of this invention that have the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (19)

A tobacco product comprising a flavorful tobacco composition in the form of a polar protic solvent extract of fire-dried tobacco material, wherein the extract is characterized by a smoky aroma or flavor associated with fire-dried tobacco material. , extract, compared with the fire InuiYo tobacco material unextracted, benzo [a] pyrene concentration rather low,
The tobacco product is configured for insertion into a user's oral cavity;
Tobacco product, wherein the extract is a smokeless tobacco product combined with shredded or particulate tobacco material other than non-tobacco plant material or fire-dried tobacco material .   The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the flavorful tobacco composition is an aqueous extract of fire-dried tobacco material.   The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the concentration of benzo [a] pyrene in the extract of fire-dried tobacco material is about 10 ppb or less.   The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the concentration of benzo [a] pyrene in the extract of fire-dried tobacco material is about 5 ppb or less.   The tobacco product of claim 1, further comprising tobacco material or non-tobacco plant material as a carrier for the extract of fire-dried tobacco material.   The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the extract of fire-cured tobacco material is combined with fire-treated tobacco extract pulp that has been pretreated to reduce benzo [a] pyrene concentration.   The tobacco product of claim 6, wherein the fire-leaved tobacco extracted pulp is pretreated by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction to reduce benzo [a] pyrene concentration.   8. Tobacco product according to claims 1 to 7 in the form of a smokeless tobacco composition selected from the group consisting of wet snuff, dry snuff, chewing tobacco, tobacco-containing gum and soluble or meltable tobacco products. A method for producing a flavorful tobacco composition for use in tobacco products, wherein the flavorful tobacco composition has sensory characteristics and benzo [a] pyrene concentration associated with fire-dried tobacco material. Characterized by lowness;
Polarize fire-dried tobacco material having a first benzo [a] pyrene concentration to produce a slurry (which provides intimate contact between the cured tobacco material and the polar protic solvent). Mixed with a protic solvent;
An extract comprising components of fire-dried tobacco material that is soluble in the polar protic solvent (the extract has a second benzo [a] pyrene concentration lower than the first benzo [a] pyrene concentration). The slurry is maintained for a time and at a temperature sufficient to produce
Separating the extract from residual pulp material comprising components of fire-dried tobacco material that is insoluble in the polar protic solvent;
The separated extract is characterized by a smoky aroma or flavor associated with fire-dried tobacco material,
The tobacco product is a smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into a user's mouth;
A method wherein the extract is combined with shredded or particulate tobacco material other than non-tobacco plant material or fire-dried tobacco material .   The method of claim 9, further comprising concentrating the separated extract by removing at least a portion of the polar protic solvent.   The method of claim 9, wherein the first benzo [a] pyrene concentration is at least about 100 ppb and the second benzo [a] pyrene concentration is less than about 10 ppb.   The method according to claim 9, wherein the polar protic solvent is water or a cosolvent mixture containing water. The fire-fed tobacco material having a first benzo [a] pyrene concentration is mixed with water to produce an aqueous slurry that provides intimate contact between the fire-fed tobacco material and water. ;
A fire-fed tobacco extract comprising a flavorful and fragrant component of a water-soluble fire-fed tobacco material (the aqueous fire-fed tobacco extract has a lower concentration than the first benzo [a] pyrene concentration). Maintaining the slurry at a time and temperature sufficient to produce a second benzo [a] pyrene concentration);
Separating the aqueous fire dry tobacco extract from residual pulp material comprising components of the fire dry tobacco material that is insoluble in water;
10. The method of claim 9, comprising mixing tobacco or non-tobacco plant material and the aqueous fire-fed tobacco extract to produce a smokeless tobacco composition.   14. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising introducing the separated extract into a tobacco product as a flavorful tobacco composition.   15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tobacco product is a smokeless tobacco composition selected from the group consisting of wet snuff, dry snuff, chewing tobacco, tobacco-containing gum and soluble or meltable tobacco products.   14. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the separated extract is applied to tobacco material or non-tobacco plant material to produce treated material, and the treated material is incorporated into tobacco products.   To treat the residual pulp material with supercritical carbon dioxide to reduce the benzo [a] pyrene concentration and produce a pulp material with a low benzo [a] pyrene concentration, and then to produce the treated material The method of claim 16, further comprising applying the separated extract to the pulp material having a low benzo [a] pyrene concentration.   The tobacco product according to claim 1, wherein the extract is in the form of spray-dried or lyophilized.   The method of claim 10, wherein the removing comprises spray drying or freeze drying the extract.

Images