Abstract: Two types of tobacco are placed into and kept separate in an aqueous medium wherein water-soluble chemical components of each of the two types of tobacco are solubilized to form a tobacco extract. The two types of tobacco remain in the aqueous medium or tobacco extract until an equilibrium is reached of the solubilized chemical components in the aqueous medium. The two types of tobacco are then removed from the tobacco extract, dried separately, blended into a preselected ratio and cut into a preselected size for use in a cigarette smoking article. The tobacco extract may be subjected to other treatments to reduce the concentration of microflora and may be added back to the two types of tobacco prior to blending and cutting.

Abstract: A tobacco flavor-tasting article is manufactured by preparing a heat-irreversibly coagulated glucan sheet containing a tobacco extract. The glucan sheet is prepared by preparing a sheet-like material from a high viscosity aqueous dispersion containing the extract obtained by an extraction treatment of a leaf tobacco, together with a heat-irreversibly coagulating glucan, and heating the sheet-like material to coagulate the glucan. This sheet is cut or pulverized to prepare a tobacco flavor-generating material. On the other hand, a tobacco flavor-adjusting material is prepared by preparing a sheet-like material from a leaf tobacco fibrous residue, which is the residue after the extraction, and cutting the sheet-like material. These tobacco flavor-generating material and tobacco flavor-adjusting material are used in combination to produce a cigarette-like article.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are provided for processing tobacco for expansion thereof including process and apparatus for forming a batch of tobacco for delivery to a tobacco impregnation apparatus and processes and apparatus for unloading the expanded tobacco and purging expansion agent from the expanded tobacco. The tobacco batch forming and feeding system forms and feeds tobacco batches of predetermined weight which can be readily changed to accommodate different types of tobacco. Expanded tobacco is unloaded directly into an unloading chamber wherein expansion agent is purged from the expanded tobacco. The tobacco unloading chamber includes a purge gas circulation system for circulating the purge gas through the expanded tobacco in the lower portion of the unloading chamber and removing the released expansion agent from an upper portion of the unloading chamber.

Abstract: A process and system for continuous assay and removal of toxins from tobacco. Products such as tobacco contaminated with mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, and benzpyrene and its precursors, are subjected to treatment, generally in a solvent medium, to decontaminate the tobacco of the toxin. Continuous monitoring of all harmful toxins eluted from the cleaning solvent is performed by immunoantibody ultraviolet fluorescence, for example. A quality-control process ensures removal of harmful toxins from tobacco before further processing. Decontamination of extracted solvent streams and re-additives ensures safe reuse or disposal of the solvents and re-additives.

Abstract: Improved flavorful and aromatic tobacco materials and processes for producing flavorful and aromatic components from tobacco material are provided. The processes involve subjecting substantially dry liquid free tobacco material directly to heat treatment in an enclosed pressure controlled environment at a temperature for a period of time such that flavorful and/or aromatic substances are provided while excess weight loss in the tobacco material is avoided.

Abstract: A process to improve the smoke quality and mechanical properties of reconstituted tobacco is accomplished by adding tobacco materials to an aqueous solution containing ammonium salts and urea. The resulting first tobacco slurry is then pressurized under steam pressure to at least 60 psi for a period of from 1 to 5 minutes then depressurized rapidly to ambient. The depressurized tobacco is then formed into a second tobacco slurry wherein the soluble components within the tobacco is removed. The resulting tobacco residue is then prepared into a reconstituted tobacco sheet and the extract is then concentrated to a solids level of at least 30 percent by weight of solids which is added back to the reconstituted tobacco sheet for further processing into smoking articles.

Abstract: A process for improving smoke quality and mechanical properties of a cast reconstituted tobacco sheet is accomplished by adding tobacco materials to an aqueous solution containing ammonium salts and ammonium hydroxide. The resulting first tobacco slurry is then pressurized under steam pressure to at least 60 psi for a period of from about 1 to 5 minutes then depressurized rapidly to ambient. The depressurized tobacco is then formed into a second tobacco slurry. The resulting tobacco residue is then cast into a reconstituted tobacco sheet for further processing into smoking articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving harmful substances from a cigarette includes a heating chamber provided with a heating element heating a treating solution consisting of 75% alcohol and 25% of hydrogen peroxide so that the latter evaporates and by transversing the cigarette, carries away the harmful substances from the chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for denitrifying tobacco materials and removing barium from tobacco materials, comprising mixing an aqueous-immiscible organic solvent containing a crown ether with an aqueous solution containing soluble components from tobacco materials, agitating this mixture, and separating the organic phase containing a crown ether-cation-nitrate (or nitrite) complex from the aqueous phase containing the denitrified tobacco materials, wherein the cation consists essentially of barium and potassium. There is further disclosed a process for eliminating tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) from cured, denitrified tobacco material, comprising contacting the denitrified tobacco material with a trapping sink, wherein the trapping sink comprises a select transition metal complex which is readily nitrosated to form a nitrosyl complex with little kinetic or thermodynamic hindrance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of denitrating tobacco stem material in which the tobacco stem material is input at a first point in a housing, guided through a solvent and output at a second point from the housing, the complete method being implemented at an overpressure, and to an apparatus for implementing the method with an elongated, approximately cylindrical housing and at least one rotatable feeder screw, said housing being configured pressure-tight and comprising locks or nozzles or inputting and/or outputting process flows.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a reconstituted tobacco product wherein the process comprises extraction of tobacco furnish with an aqueous solvent in the presence of at least one ammonium salt or urea or a urea derivative or a mixture of urea or a urea derivative and at least one ammonium salt to provide an aqueous solvent extract and a fibrous material and forming the fibrous material into a sheet-like product using the papermaking process. The aqueous extract is then applied to the formed sheet-like material and further processing provides a reconstituted tobacco product having improved smoke quality.

Abstract: Cut tobacco used for processing cigarettes or other smoking articles is reacted with an agent such as an oxidant or subject to an extraction/removal process for a suitable period of time, dependent upon the nicotine content, the oxidant employed and the reaction temperature or extraction condition, or distillation, such that the nicotine embedded in the leaf is then converted into nicotinic acid or niacin. Sufficient conversion or extraction or distilled is allowed to occur so that either no nicotine or only a minimal amount of free nicotine remains in the smoking article. Upon intake into the lungs and hence the blood stream of the smoker or other tobacco user, the smoker or tobacco user will result in a blood plasma content of nicotine ranging from 0 to less than about 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood plasma. This effectively insures that the addictive process in smoking or other tobacco intake cannot he initiated or maintained. Nicotinic acid or niacin is not an addictive component of the tobacco.

Abstract: A novel reconstituted tobacco sheet material is provided which is useful in providing a novel smoking product which has a smoking quality closely approximating that of cigarettes having conventional paper wrappers. The reconstituted tobacco sheet is prepared by a paper-making process in which the water-soluble material extracted in the paper-making process is not added back to the sheet, or if added back, to an extent of no more than 20 wt % of the reconstituted tobacco sheet. In the novel smoking product, a tobacco filler rod is enclosed within an outer wrapper, which usually comprises an inner binder layer and an outer wrapper layer, one or both formed of reconstituted tobacco sheet material. When the tobacco filler rod is double-wrapped, the novel smoking product also exhibits a significant reduction in sidestream smoking production in comparison to a conventionally-wrapped cigarette.

Abstract: A rod-like smoking product with a strand-like filler rod of comminuted smoking tobacco and which is enclosed by a mantle of reconstituted tobacco sheets. At least one of these tobacco sheets is essentially obtained from 75 to 100% by weight of tobacco-inherent constituents including tobacco extract obtained from leaf or cut tobacco blend and tobacco rib material, and tobacco cellulose obtained from cut tobacco blend or scrap and stalk or rib material where the ratio of leaf and scrap material to stalk and rib material is in the range of 1:1.1 to 1:5.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing the protein content of tobacco material which includes either: (1) extracting the tobacco material with an anionic surfactant; (2) treating the tobacco material with a proteolytic enzyme followed by extraction with a surfactant; (3) applying a surfactant solution to the tobacco material, separating the solution from the tobacco material, removing the surfactant and polypeptides from the tobacco material, optionally with the use of an insoluble adsorbent, and combining the tobacco material with the remaining solution; or (4) first extracting the tobacco material with an aqueous solvent and then with a surfactant. The invention further provides a tobacco material of reduced protein content produced by extraction with an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco having good wet strength is provided. Tobacco material is extracted with water to yield an insoluble portion and an aqueous portion containing water soluble tobacco components. The insoluble portion is formed into a sheet-like shape and contacted with a pectin release agent. Alternatively, the insoluble portion is contacted with pectin release agent and then formed into a sheet-like shape. The extract then is applied to the insoluble portion which has been formed into a sheet-like shape. The resulting tobacco composition is dried to yield a reconstituted tobacco material.

Abstract: A process is provided for the improved removal of nicotine from tobacco. An essentially nicotine-free solvent in the supercritical or liquid state is fed into a first end of an extraction flow system containing tobacco and a nicotine-rich solvent is discharged from a second end of the extraction flow system. Periodically a portion of extracted tobacco is discharged from the first end of the extraction system while simultaneously a portion of an unextracted tobacco is charged to the second end of the extraction system. Nicotine is then entrapped in an entrapment material or otherwise removed from the solvent and solvent is recycled through the extraction flow system. Various materials are provided as entrapment materials. Among the entrapment materials provided are aqueous solutions containing absorbent selected from various acids and salts.

Abstract: A novel reconstituted tobacco sheet material is provided which is useful in providing a novel smoking product which has a smoking quality closely approximating that of cigarettes having conventional paper wrappers. The reconstituted tobacco sheet is prepared by a paper-making process in which the water-soluble material extracted in the paper-making process is not added back to the sheet, or if added back, to an extent of no more than 20 wt % of the reconstituted tobacco sheet. In the novel smoking product, a tobacco filler rod is enclosed within an outer wrapper, which usually comprises an inner binder layer and an outer wrapper layer, one or both formed of reconstituted tobacco sheet material. When the tobacco filler rod is double-wrapped, the novel smoking product also exhibits a significant reduction in sidestream smoking production in comparison to a conventionally-wrapped cigarette.

Abstract: Tobacco extracts are provided within a polyhydric alcohol carrier. Tobacco strip is extracted with ammonia and steam to provide a mixture of water, tobacco extract and ammonia. The mixture is contacted with a polyhydric alcohol to provide a resulting mixture. The water then is evaporated from the resulting mixture to provide a mixture of 30 weight parts tobacco extract, 65 weight parts polyhydric alcohol and 5 weight parts water.

Abstract: A method of extracting corrosion inhibiting constituents from tobacco comprises the steps of soaking tobacco in an aqueous solution under certain extraction conditions, followed by filtration to remove tobacco residue from the resultant aqueous tobacco solution. This tobacco solution is used as a corrosion inhibitor to minimize the amount of corrosion occurring at galvanic corrosion cells that are established at areas of union of metals having different electrochemical potentials.

Abstract: Concentrated tobacco extracts or essences are provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The aqueous extract then is contacted with supercritical carbon dioxide, and certain tobacco components in turn are extracted from the aqueous extract. Alternatively, the aqueous extract is subjected to a spray drying step, and the spray dried extract is contacted with supercritical carbon dioxide in order that certain tobacco components are extracted from the spray dried extract. The resulting extracted components are separated from the supercritical fluid in order to yield a tobacco essence. The essence has a homogeneous, viscous character and exhibits a tobacco aroma. The essence is useful as a flavoring agent for cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is subjected to extraction conditions using tap water as a solvent using a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus. The extracted tobacco material which is collected undergoes no significant physical degradation while having a high level of water extractables removed therefrom. Aqueous tobacco extracts having relatively high levels of tobacco extractables also can be provided. Extracted tobacco material also can be re-equilibrated with a tobacco extract by contacting the extracted tobacco material and an aqueous tobacco extract in a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus.

Abstract: Aqueous tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting finely ground tobacco laminae to extraction conditions in the presence of an aqueous solvent and an active enzyme. Then, the enzyme is deactivated, and a liquid aqueous tobacco extract is separated from the insoluble tobacco pulp which remains. The liquid extract is collected and used as a form of tobacco for smoking article manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a reconstituted tobacco material. The method includes contacting tobacco material dispersed in a liquid having an aqueous character with a humectant or binding agent or both under high shear mixing conditions at a temperature of at least about 35.degree. C. to provide a mixture. The mixture is then contacted with a pectin release agent, preferably at a pH of about 5 to about 9, while maintaining the high shear mixing conditions to provide a tobacco material having released tobacco pectins. Preferably, the tobacco material having released tobacco pectins is then formed into a predetermined shape and subjected to conditions sufficient to cause the released tobacco pectins to undergo crosslinking.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting a moist spray dried tobacco extract to heat treatment. The moist extract is contacted with a furanone, a pyranone or an alpha-dicarbonyl compound, and exposed to a temperature above about 100.degree. C. in a pressure controlled vessel. Resulting flavorful extracts are useful as forms of tobacco in cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for reducing the protein content of tobacco material which includes extracting the tobacco material with a solution containing a surfactant. The tobacco material may be first extracted with an aqueous solvent to produce an aqueous extract before being treated with the solution containing a surfactant. This invention also provides a method for removing polypeptides from an aqueous extract of tobacco material which includes treating the extract with an insoluble adsorbent selected from the group comprising hydroxyapatite and a fuller's earth mineral such as bentonite. Treatment of the aqueous extract with bentonite will produce an extract having a reduced pigment and polypeptide content.

Abstract: Fractionated plant extracts, particularly essentially nicotine-free tobacco extracts, useful as tobacco flavorants and methods for preparing and using the same are described herein. These fractionated extracts are stable, non-volatile and relatively odorless under conditions of smoking article or smoking substitute article manufacture and storage, but when thermally provoked, the extracts deliver characteristic flavor to smoking articles or smoking substitute articles. The fractionated plant extracts may be prepared by contacting plant matter with a solvent to produce a crude plant extract; removing the solvent from this plant extract; and isolating a fraction of this extract that when thermally provoked provides the characteristic aroma and flavor of the plant by size exclusion chromatography and monitoring the fraction's integrity by suitable detection means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of adding flavorant to cigarette filters. A cigarette filter is made by forming a filter web using non-woven web comprising thermoplastic meltblown fibers of filaments that are present as fused agglomerates in a number fraction exceeding 33 percent and wherein a majority of fiber crossings of agglomerates are weld points; adding tobacco extracts to the filter web such that the filter web contains between 10% and 110% tobacco extracts by weight of the filter web; adding glycerin or a glycerin-water mixture to the thus treated filter web; and forming the thus treated filter web into a rod.

Abstract: Tobacco material is extracted with an extraction solvent to provide a aqueous extract and a tobacco portion insoluble in the solvent. The extract is separated from the insoluble portion and is provided within the water at a concentration at least about 30 percent, based on the weight of the extract and solvent. The extract and solvent are subjected to temperature treatment including reducing the temperature of the extract and solvent from a first temperature to a second temperature. Potassium nitrate crystals form as a precipitate and are separated from the extract and solvent. Then, the extract and solvent are contacted with activated carbon particles and separated therefrom.

Abstract: Processes for producing flavor substances from tobacco are disclosed. The processes involve heating tobacco during a first staged heating to a first toasting temperature to drive off volatile materials; increasing the toasting temperature during a second staged heating to a second toasting temperature and separately collecting, as flavor substances, at least portions of the volatile materials driven off at the first and second toasting temperatures.Another aspect of the present invention involves reducing the moisture content of the tobacco without removing volatile flavor components, such as by freeze drying the tobacco, and then heating the dried tobacco.Preferably the tobacco is heated in a flowing gas stream and at least portions of the volatile materials are separately collected as flavor substances as the gas stream passes sequentially through a moderate temperature trap, a cold temperature trap and a filter capable of collecting submicron sized particles.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is processed to have a controlled extract content. The processed cut filler is provided by (i) providing an aqueous tobacco extract, (ii) providing tobacco cut filler which has been extracted with an aqueous liquid, (iii) contacting the aqueous extract with the extracted cut filler, (iv) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of the tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (v) drying the deliquored cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. As such, tobacco cut filler can be processed so as to have higher or lower levels of tobacco extractables therein, as compared to that of the tobacco cut filler prior to processing.

Abstract: Burley tobacco stems are extracted with tap water to provide a water soluble extract and a water insoluble pulp. The extract and water are separated from the pulp. The extract is provided within the water at a concentration at least about 30 percent, based on the weight of the extract and water. Then, the extract and water are heated to about 200.degree. F. The extract and water then is cooled to ambient temperature. Potassium nitrate crystals form as a precipitate and are separated from the extract and water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for providing a tobacco extract. A tobacco material and extraction solvent are provided physically separated from each other. The extraction solvent is then volatized. The tobacco material is subjected to extraction conditions by contacting the tobacco material with the volatized extraction solvent to provide a tobacco extract within the volatized extraction solvent. The extraction conditions include (i) maintaining the pressure of the tobacco material and extraction solvent at less than about 10 mm of Hg pressure and (ii) maintaining the tobacco material and extraction solvent at a temperature of greater than about 30.degree. C. and less than the boiling point at atmospheric pressure of the volatized extraction solvent.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco material is provided by extracting tobacco material using water to provide an insoluble portion and an aqueous extract. The insoluble portion is formed into a sheet-like shape. The aqueous extract is blended with a further tobacco extract which is provided by treating Burley tobacco strip with ammonia and steam. The aqueous tobacco extract and further tobacco extract optionally can be heat treated, contacted with a water soluble phosphate salt, and/or contacted with levulinic acid. The aqueous extract and further tobacco extract are combined with the insoluble portion, resulting in a reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material is blended with other tobacco materials and employed as cut filler in cigarette manufacture.

Abstract: A composition is provided for use in the suppression of a smoking habit, containing a tobacco plant extract which includes between 0.1% and 8.0% of nicotine and at least one additional tobacco derivative in a water based solvent. A process for producing the extract is also provided.

Abstract: Tobacco extracts are provided by first extracting tobacco material with water and then subjecting the resulting aqueous tobacco extract to a liquid/liquid extraction process using a long chain alcohol. Preferably, the pH of the aqueous extract is adjusted to about 9 or above prior to the liquid/liquid extraction step. The two immiscible solvents then are separated from one another such that there is provided an aqueous tobacco extract having certain extracted tobacco components removed therefrom and long chain alcohol solvent having extracted tobacco components carried thereby. The processed aqueous extract can be spray dried to provide a concentrated tobacco extract which then can be employed as flavorful forms of tobacco for cigarette and other smoking articles.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is processed and has an additive provided in intimate contact therewith. The processed cut filler provided by (i) providing an aqueous tobacco extract having an essentially water insoluble additive in contact therewith, (ii) providing tobacco cut filler which has been extracted with an aqueous liquid, (iii) contacting the aqueous extract with the extracted cut filler (iv) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of the tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (v) drying the deliquored cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. Additives, such as menthol, can be provided in intimate contact with tobacco cut filler in such a manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for providing a tobacco extract. A tobacco material is provided in contact with an extraction solvent. The temperature of the tobacco material and liquid extraction solvent is reduced to below the freezing point thereof to provide a frozen mixture. The temperature of the frozen mixture is then raised to provide a melted portion including the tobacco extract within the liquid extraction solvent. The extract within the solvent preferably has a high soluble solids content (e.g., at least 10 percent by weight of the total weight of the melted portion). If desired, the tobacco extract within the extraction solvent can be further treated (e.g., chemically or physically) to provide or isolate flavorful and aromatic tobacco-derived components of tobacco extract.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting a tobacco extract to heat treatment. The tobacco extract is contacted with an ammonia compound capable of releasing ammonia or a base capable of releasing ammonia indigenous to the tobacco extract, and then is subjected to a heat treatment above about 100.degree. C. in a pressure controlled environment. Resulting flavorful extracts are useful as forms of tobacco in cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: A method is described for extracting tobacco alkaloids from tobacco in which the tobacco alkaloids are extracted from the tobacco with carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions and the tobacco alkaloids separated from the carbon dioxide, wherein in the carbon dioxide for the extraction of the tobacco alkaloids from the tobacco is mixed with a solid 2 to 3-basic organic acid having a total of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a monoalkali or monoammonium salts thereof in order to appreciably shorten the extraction times.

Abstract: Tobacco-derived components of a tobacco extract are provided by fermenting the tobacco extract within a fermentation bath. The extract may be subjected to heat treatment in a pressure controlled environment prior to and/or after fermenting.The fermented tobacco extract is then distilled at a temperatrue to provide a distillate which includes tobacco-derived components of the tobacco extract. If the extract has not previously been subjected to heat treatment, the distillate can be subjected to heat treatment in a pressure controlled environment.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler has an extremely high filling capacity. Tobacco cut filler is contacted with tap water under extraction conditions, and resulting aqueous tobacco extract is separated from the water insoluble extracted tobacco material. The extracted tobacco material is contacted with humectant, provided at a desired moisture level, and subjected to volume expansion conditions. Volume expanded extracted tobacco materials are used as smokable materials in cigarette manufacture.

Abstract: Denicotinized tobacco cut filler is provided by (i) providing an aqueous denicotinized tobacco extract, (ii) providing tobacco cut filler which has been extracted with an aqueous liquid, (iii) contacting the aqueous extract with the extracted cut filler, (iv) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of the tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (v) drying the deliquored cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. Greater than 90 percent of the nicotine present in tobacco cut filler can be removed therefrom using such process steps.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting a moist spray dried tobacco extract to heat treatment. The moist extract is contacted with a sugar and an amino acid, and exposed to a temperature above about 100.degree. C. in a pressure controlled vessel. Resulting flavorful extracts are useful as forms of tobacco in cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: A cigarette comprises a blend of tobacco materials. The blend includes volume expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler and a reconstituted tobacco material in cut filler form. The reconstituted tobacco material includes calcium carbonate and tobacco parts which are formed into a sheet-like shape using a papermaking process. The cigarette can include a filter element provided from a non-woven polypropylene web, glycerin and a water soluble tobacco extract. Such a cigarette can generate low levels of visible sidestream smoke.

Abstract: Dried tobacco leaves evenly spread by a vibrator, cleaned and sorted out, are directed through the opening of two converging cylinders, and tightly held on between two belts.Now, the belts carrying the leaves, enter into a hot wash basin full of warm water at a temperature of 40 degrees C. They are washed for 4-5 minutes and moved thereafter into a second basin with water heated at 100 degrees C. The bathing of the leaves takes 6-8 seconds and immediately thereafter they are moved into a third, filled with cold water. The three consecutive baths cause the removal by extraction of resins, tars and nicotine. Dissolved by the water and washed away also the are pesticides.The cold water washes away the nitrogenous substances. Hydrolysis removes the textrines. If stronger intervention is desired, the leaves after the first bath may be directed into freezing dry chamber.The wet leaves fall now into another system of reversible conveyors, located in a heated tunnel.

Abstract: The flavor substances of the present invention are prepared by toasting (heating) natural tobacco in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 225.degree. C., fractionating the volatiles and collecting at least a portion of the fractionated materials as the flavor substances. This fractionating and/or collecting can be conducted by condensation, liquid-liquid extraction, sorption (adsorption and/or absorption) and the like, with either a solid or liquid sorbent medium. Either the sorbent medium containing the trapped volatiles or the volatiles themselves may be used as the flavor substances of the present invention.

Abstract: Denicotinized tobacco cut filler is provided by (i) extracting the cut filler with an aqueous denicotinized extract and thereby providing a mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler, (ii) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (iii) drying the deliquored tobacco extract/extracted cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. Greater than 90 percent of the nicotine present in tobacco cut filler can be removed therefrom using such process steps.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective removal of basic materials from plant products, in particular, for removing nicotine from tobacco without materially affecting the content of the other components of the tobacco. Tobacco is traversed with a solvent at high pressure and in a physical state which is either a liquid at a pressure of from about 500-300 atmospheres or a supercritical fluid wherein nicotine and the other components dissolve in the solvent. As the single means of removing substances from the solvent, the solvent is then passed through an acid-containing trap where the solvent is essentially freed of nicotine. The solvent, depleted of nicotine and enriched in the other components, is then recycled to the tobacco to reextract nicotine.

Abstract: The flavor substances of the present invention are prepared by toasting (heating) natural tobacco in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 225.degree. C., condensing at least a portion of the volatiles driven-off during the toasting, and collecting the a portion of the uncondensed volatiles by sorption (adsorption and/or absorption) on a solid or liquid sorbent medium. Either the sorbent medium containing the trapped volatiles or the volatiles themselves may be used as the flavor substances of the present invention.