Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite microorganism enzyme, a method for preparing a plant nutrient solution by using the composite microorganism enzyme, and a fertilizer synergist. The method comprises the following steps: mixing fresh kelp pulp with a composite microorganism enzyme; and performing enzymolysis on the mixture of the fresh kelp pulp and the composite microorganism enzyme in an enzymolysis vessel to obtain the plant nutrient solution; the composite microorganism enzyme comprises more than one kind each of cellulase, pectinase, protease and amylase, the mass percentage of the cellulases and the pectinases being far greater than that of the proteases and the amylases. The present method for preparing a plant nutrient solution involves a simple enzymolysis process, mild reaction conditions, low costs and no other chemical compositions during the reaction processes, and maintains more of the active ingredients of the fresh kelp.

Abstract: A method of treating tobacco is disclosed. It comprises a first conditioning step wherein the moisture content of the tobacco is increased to a first level, and a second separate conditioning step wherein the pH of the tobacco is increased to at least pH 7.

Abstract: A smoking device for generating and releasing smoking vapor free from contamination into the mouth of a user comprising a mouthpiece for providing vapor for inhalation to a user including a tubular casing containing a heater for heating a smoking substance at a substantially constant low temperature by regulating the flow of fuel by a thermal regulator and further having means for visual indication of the operation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention features Nicotiana nucleic acid sequences such as sequences encoding constitutive, or ethylene or senescence induced polypeptides, in particular cytochrome p450 enzymes, in Nicotiana plants and methods for using these nucleic acid sequences and plants to alter desirable traits, for example by using breeding protocols.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for enhancing the filling capacity of tobacco, such as cut tobacco leaf or tobacco midribs, or tobacco additional material, by treating the tobacco material having an initial moisture of 10-30% with a treatment gas consisting of nitrogen and/or argon at pressures of 400 to 1,000 bar followed by a continuous decompression and subsequent thermal post-treatment of the discharged tobacco material. The filling density of the tobacco charge in the autoclave is greater than 0.2 kg/dm3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an expanded tobacco material. According to the method, a tobacco material (TM) is fed into a pressure vessel (11), followed by pressurizing the interior of the pressure vessel (11) with a carbon dioxide gas to a predetermined impregnation pressure. Then, a liquid carbon dioxide (21) is supplied from above the tobacco material (TM) into the pressure vessel through a sintered metal plate (13), etc., while maintaining the impregnation pressure, thereby saturating the interior of the pressure vessel (11) with a carbon dioxide gas generated by vaporization of the supplied liquid carbon dioxide, and cooling the tobacco material by the latent heat of vaporization of the liquid carbon dioxide, so as to impregnate the tobacco material with carbon dioxide. The tobacco material impregnated with carbon dioxide is brought into contact with a hot gaseous stream within a gaseous stream dryer so as to expand the tobacco material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for expanding tobacco wherein tobacco is impregnated with gaseous 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and thereafter heated in an expansion zone to liberate the 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and cause expansion of the tobacco. The process of the invention can provide substantial expansion of tobacco cut filler lamina without substantial generation of tobacco fines and employing substantially mild pressures of, for example, less than about 3,000 psi and with minimal effect on tobacco flavor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for increasing the filling power of tobacco which comprises heating the tobacco at elevated temperature while maintaining the OV and SV values of the tobacco substantially constant. Preferably, the tobacco is heated at a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C. in a closed system for a time sufficient to increase the CV value of the tobacco.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for increasing the filling power of tobacco by contacting the tobacco, preferably by dry blending, with at least one basic calcium compound in an amount such that the treated tobacco has a pH of at least about 8, and heating the tobacco in the presence of sufficient moisture to establish and maintain its OV value within the range of from about 14% to about 40% and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to increase the filling power of the tobacco. As an additional first step, the tobacco may be contacted with an acid to achieve a tobacco product of lighter color.

Abstract: A processed expandable tobacco paste as an additive to a cigarette, and a cigarette having the tobacco paste is disclosed. The tobacco paste provides a cigarette with the physical properties of firmness of tobacco, even tobacco burning, draw resistance, cigarette end stability and coal retention of conventional cigarettes, but at a lower tobacco density than conventional cigarettes. The cigarette includes a cylindrical tobacco rod, at least one longitudinally extending line of expanded tobacco paste, and wrapping material circumferentially surrounding the tobacco rod which compresses the relatively low density tobacco rod. The tobacco paste can also contain a flavoring ingredient.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco is disclosed wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution and thereafter dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. In a preferred approach, tobacco is treated with a hydroxide or oxide of a multivalent metal and then contacted with a solution of hydrogen peroxide; thereafter the tobacco is dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco product.

Abstract: Tobacco impregnated with solid carbon dioxide is heated in a chamber to expand the same by sublimation of solid CO.sub.2 and expulsion of CO.sub.2 gas from the tobacco. The expanded tobacco is separated from the internal atmosphere of the expansion device and the tobacco is discharged through an outlet through which gas flows are substantially precluded. The evolved CO.sub.2 gas and other volatile components are removed from the chamber and a portion of the removed gas is heated and returned to the chamber as the expansion medium. The necessity for external steam is avoided as an atmosphere of high thermal diffusivity is maintained in the expansion chamber by precluding the entry of ambient air.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the treatment of tobacco materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a process that comprises contacting tobacco with an aqueous enzyme solution exhibiting cellulase activity, incubating the tobacco-enzyme mixture, and thereafter expanding the tobacco material. Tobacco materials treated in this manner exhibit an enhanced capability for expansion, thereby resulting in a significant increase in filling capacity when compared to untreated expanded tobacco.

Abstract: Through interaction with the pectinaceous materials of tobacco smoking products, increased filling power of tobacco constituents is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by means of maintaining the tobacco, usually in shredded form, in an expanded form by applying, in solution thereto, multivalent metal and organic acid salts, especially those salts found in the hydrated form. The multivalent salt additives cause the pectinaceous materials of the tobacco to retain the expanded bulk volume of the tobacco.

Abstract: Tobacco having at least about 6 percent moisture is impregnated with ammonia and carbon dioxide to introduce into the tobacco preferably from about 3 percent to about 6 percent by weight of ammonia and from about 3 percent to about 8 percent of carbon dioxide based on the weight of the tobacco. The impregnated tobacco is then heated for from about 5 to about 60 minutes at a temperature of from about 80.degree. to about 120.degree. C. in an open system to produce a tobacco product, having an OV of about 6% or less. The resulting tobacco product is, either with or without being bulked at room temperature, thereafter contacted with dry steam, preferably at low velocity, at a temperature which may be from about 100.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C., but is preferably from about 100.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. for a time sufficient to puff the tobacco, preferably from about 1/4 to about 3 minutes.