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: A process for manufacturing cigarettes which impose reduced health risks to the smokers thereof. According to this process redried cut rag tobacco is directly sprayed with one or more pre-selected alcohols (or other compounds) which are capable, when the vapors thereof are inhaled by the smoker, of inhibiting or blocking the selective localization of at least one nitrosamine and/or a metabolite thereof in the smoker's tissues, such as those of the epithelial lining of his lungs. An example of such an alcohol is cyclohexanol in an ethyl alcohol soltuion. Other preferred alcohols are 3-methylcyclohexanol, 1-hexanol, 2-octanol and t-butanol. After the alcohol either directly or in a solution (such as a flavorant--SD alcohol-4 solution) has been sprayed on the tobacco, preferably as it tumbles in the cooler cylinder of the mechanized cigarette making line, and allowed to dry, the tobacco is made or machined in a conventional manner into the final cigarette, either filtered or unfiltered.

Abstract: Concentrated tobacco extracts are provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The aqueous extract then is spray dried to a dry powder form. As such, the extract is in a low solvent form (i.e., the solvent content including moisture content of the extract is less than about 12 weight percent). The spray dried extract is contacted with a lower alcohol such as methanol or ethanol, and certain components are extracted from the spray dried extract. The resulting extracted components are isolated from the alcohol solvent 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: The chewing tobacco composition contains 25 to 40% by weight cut tobacco, 0.1 to 10% by weight powdered cellulose pulp and 60 to 75% by weight casing solids. The use of powdered cellulose pulp in the composition provides for an increase in the amount of casing solids in the composition. The method entails dipping the cut tobacco into a casing solution composition containing 40% by weight water and 0.5 to 4.0% by weight powdered cellulose pulp.

Abstract: A tobacco smoking article including smoking tobacco held in a container and an alcohol supported by the container. The alcohol has two or more carbon atoms and is capable when the vapor thereof is inhaled by the smoker of inhibiting the selective localization of nitrosamines and metabolites thereof in the smoker's tissues, such as those of the bronchial epithelium. The alcohol is associated with the smoking tobacco such that, when the tobacco is smoked, the vapors of the alcohol are inhaled in the tobacco smoke stream. The alcohol is present in an amount sufficient to inhibit the selective localization but not to produce any toxic side effects in the smoker.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing cigarettes which imposes reduced health risks to the smokers thereof. According to this process redried cut rag tobacco is directly sprayed with one or more pre-selected alcohols which are capable, when the vapors thereof are inhaled by the smoker, of inhibiting or blocking the selective localization of at least one nitrosamine and/or a metabolite thereof in the smoker's tissues such as those of the epithelial lining of his lungs. An example of such an alcohol is cyclohexanol in an ethyl alcohol solution. After the alcohol solution has been sprayed on the tobacco, preferably as it tumbles in the cooler cylinder of the mechanized cigarette making line, and allowed to dry, the tobacco is made or machined in a conventional manner into the final cigarette, either filtered or unfiltered.

Abstract: Reconstituted Tobacco has ammonia incorporated therein. Tobacco is extracted with water to yield an insoluble portion and an aqueous portion containing water soluble tobacco components. The aqueous portion is contacted with ammonia to yield an ammoniated extract. The extract 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 treated with ammonia.

Abstract: A miniature plug of chewing tobacco made from 25 to 80% by weight tobacco on a dry basis and 75 to 20% casing solids and having a tensile strength of greater than 150 g/cm is disclosed. The high tensile strength allows for the miniature plug to be satisfactorily processed. Such a plug can be made with the use of gelatin in the casing solution. The casing includes as an essential element gelatin.

Abstract: A process for degreening and coloring tobacco by subjecting the tobacco to air containing ethylene gas and thereafter wilting, dehydrating and curing. The air containing ethylene gas is exchanged within a controlled environment at a substantially high rate to not only replenish the oxygen and nitrogen content, but also to remove the carbon dioxide generated in the coloring process that can inhibit further coloring. The process also permits increasing the temperature around the tobacco during the wilting and dehydrating stages so as to substantially decrease the total time required for curing the tobacco.

Abstract: Cigarettes having incorporated therein a salt such as nicotine levulinate exhibit low FTC "tar" to nicotine ratios while (i) having a smooth, palatable, flavorful taste, and (ii) providing smoking satisfaction to the user. The cigarettes do not exhibit a harsh or irritating character; and do not exhibit a non-tobacco or off-taste.

Abstract: A method of treating tobacco by contact with a monosaccharide is disclosed. Preferably, the monosaccharide is provided in an aqueous casing solution which is sprayed on a steamed tobacco. After the cased tobacco has been heat treated in a toaster it is ready for processing. It is preferred that the aqueous casing solution be basic and include a latent amino acid source. Unaged tobacco treated by the method of the present invention exhibits smoke and taste characteristics similar to naturally-aged, cured tobacco.

Abstract: A tobacco treating process for forming favorable flavor compounds in a moisturized tobacco including the steps of contacting the tobacco with citrus pectin, invert sugar, or diammonium phosphate, or a combination resulting in a tobacco having a pectin level and diammonium phosphate level of predetermined percentages, thereof, introducing the moistened tobacco into a containing zone; introducing an ammonia source into the containing zone; heating the contained zone when substantially closed to bring the tobacco to a preselected temperature to improve flavor compounds through reaction of the ammonia source, citrus pectin, and reducing sugars, and/or other tobacco components; and cooling and removing the tobacco from the closed zone.

Abstract: The tar and nicotine content of tobacco is reduced by passing through the tobacco a combination of steam and starch cells.

Abstract: Process for the aromatization of tobacco leaves or tobacco particles, powder or sheets of natural or artificial origin by means of a volatile, water immiscible active flavor, which process is characterized in that the said flavor is put into intimate contact with the tobacco leaves, particles, powder or sheets by directly spraying onto their exposed surface an emulsion consisting of the said flavor, an aqueous solution of a hydrosoluble carrier and an emulsifier.

Abstract: An improved process for removing insoluble nitrogen-containing compounds from cured tobacco uses alkali or a combination of protease and nonprotease depolymerase, rather than simple protease extraction.The method of the invention is more efficient and results in a more effective extraction of protein.

Abstract: Cigarettes having reduced loose end propensity and a process for preparing same are disclosed. The cigarettes are prepared from shredded smoking material having been uniformly treated with a free-flowing non-deliquescent, hygroscopic powder and aged prior to introduction into a cigarette-making machine. The powder preferably has a size between about 50 and 200 microns, and becomes tacky upon absorption of moisture.

Abstract: A method of treating tobacco with a strong acid to inhibit alkaloid loss during drying. The tobacco is then treated with weak base to neutralize the acid. The preferred strong acid is phosphoric. The preferred weak base is ammonium hydroxide. An added benefit of this treatment is burn retardation by ammonium phosphates resulting in cigarette puff number increase.

Abstract: An improved tobacco treating process for smoking articles including the steps of applying an ammonia source to tobacco to be dryed, passing the ammonia treated tobacco in a restricted pressure and flow controllable system to be entrained by pressurized steam for a preselected residence time before disentrainment therefrom, the steam being held at preselected minimum pressure and velocity to improve flavor quality and fill value of the tobacco.

Abstract: A dry pre-mix is provided whereby a moist snuff can be prepared by addition of water. The pre-mix consists of a mixture of snuff-type tobaccos, cut to a predetermined size and having a moisture level between 6% and 16%.

Abstract: Smoking products, for example cigarettes, cut tobacco, pipe tobacco, cigarillos and the like, give an increased yield of nicotine in the tobacco smoke without impairment of the taste of the smoke, when trans-nicotine N'-oxide, which is free or substantially free of cis-nicotine N'-oxide or contains at most 10% by weight of the cis-isomer, is added thereto in a quantity of up to 5% by weight, relative to the dry weight of the tobacco. The nicotine N-oxide is prepared by oxidizing nicotine with an aqueous H.sub.2 O.sub.2 solution in the presence of a catalytic amount of non-oxidizing acid having a pk value of less than 5 to produce an oxidation mixture containing trans and cis-nicotine N'-oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying foamed material to tobacco, particularly in connection with the making of cigarettes. The foamed material may be added to the tobacco, for example, in the paper guide section of a cigarette maker at the garniture mouth (21) or through the short tongue (30) or through both, or at the chimney (10). Addition of a foamed material to the tobacco, during the cigarette making process, results in a cigarette in which the material added is more uniformly distributed.

Abstract: Process for flavoring tobacco by mixing dry cut tobacco with one or more micro-encapsulated flavors as well as with an aqueous adhesive solution containing such quantity of water that said quantity may at least be adsorbed for the most part by the tobacco, continuing the mixing operation till a dry or almost dry product is obtained and then, if necessary, subjecting the obtained product to a drying operation respectively reduction operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tobacco composition comprising tobacco and bluish dogbane in the form of bluish dogbane leaves or bluish dogbane extract, a process for making the tobacco composition and a process for producing bluish dogbane extract. The tobacco composition of the present invention is useful to alleviate and cure chronic bronchitis caused by smoking.

Abstract: A smoking product comprising an inert combustible substrate to which has been applied a nicotine-substitute-effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-5-(pyrrolidinomethyl) thiazole and 2-methyl-5-(piperidinomethyl) thiazole, and the acid addition salts thereof. Thus, for example, a cigarette may include an inert combustible material which is a tobacco substitute onto which one or other effective compound has been impregnated.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is disclosed which contains cut or otherwise comminuted tobacco treated with a particulated gum composition that adheres as a discontinuous coating to the surface of the tobacco. The gum composition provides improved "gathering" characteristics and other benefits when the treated smokeless tobacco product is placed in the mouth of the consumer of such products.

Abstract: A method in which moist snuff is produced, differing radically from the prior art. The tobacco is hogshead-aged for only about two years. Instead of producing snuff taste characteristics through fermentation, the tobacco is cased and chemical reactions, including Maillard reactions, are induced to produce snuff flavor precursors chemically.

Abstract: The impairment of the taste of smoke, observed in processes for improving the filling capacity of tobacco by expansion of the tobacco with a vaporizable expanding agent, can be avoided if an anti-oxidant, in particular ascorbic acid, is added to the tobacco before the expansion. In addition, anti-oxidant synergists can also be added.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preparing stabilized interferons and for combining stabilized interferon with cigarettes. Special domains of the interferon molecule are recognized by methods which are described. A means for constructing these domains by recombinant DNA technology is detailed. A method for stabilizing natural interferons is also described. A process for combining the stabilized interferon with cigarettes is presented.The combination of interferons and cigarettes is synergistic, especially because interferon effects are magnified at elevated temperatures and because interferon has a preferential effect on tumor cells, but for other reasons as well. The process is not obvious and will be beneficial to a large segment of mankind; those who use tobacco products.

Abstract: A tobacco-treatment process comprises mechanically expressing cell-sap from yellowed, substantially undried, tobacco-leaf material, impregnating the fibrous material remaining after the expression with said cell-sap or with parts or components of said cell-sap or with cell-sap expressed from other yellowed, substantially undried, tobacco leaf material, and drying the sap-impregnated material. The tobacco leaf material may comprise leaves harvested in a fully developed and mature state. The leaves may be at least partly yellow when harvested. They may have been yellowed by the application of a yellowing agent to tobacco plants or yellowing may have been effected or completed by heaping or rack-hanging the harvested leaves in an enclosed atmosphere, suitably with a relative humidity of 70% or more and a temperature in the range of 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. Ethylene gas may be introduced into the atmosphere to promote the yellowing.

Abstract: A mixed complementary culture of bacteria and fungi are used to degrade pectin and cellulose components of tobacco materials.

Abstract: A treatment system for natural leaf tobacco wrapper is provided for comprising in combination:(a) a humectant/plasticizer component;(b) a preservative component;(c) a solvent carrier selected from the group comprising water and water/alcohol mixtures; and(d) optionally, a polymeric film-forming component selected from the group comprising synthetic gums, natural gums and protein film-forming compositions.

Abstract: Cut shredded or otherwise comminuted tobacco is treated with a volatile flavoring additive in a continuous process wherein the additive is combined with a polyhydric alcohol carrier and the additive/polyhydric alcohol combination is applied to the tobacco [by gas-atomizing spray nozzle means] under controlled conditions.

Abstract: Smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, are disclosed into the fuel rod of which particulate smoke-modifying agent has been introduced in such a manner that the concentration of the agent is greater at one or each end of the fuel rod than that at the middle region of the fuel rod. The result of this variation in concentration of the smoke-modifying agent is that the amount of agent released into the smoke varies as the article is smoked. Various forms of smoking article are disclosed together with methods of production.

Abstract: Harvested green tobacco is cured by photobleaching followed by thermal browning. Photobleaching is preferably effected after incubation in vapors of an organic liquid or steam.

Abstract: Described are compounds defined according to the generic structure: ##STR1## wherein the dashed line represents a carbon-carbon single bond or a carbon-carbon double bond; and one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is methyl and the other of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen. In addition, organoleptic uses of such compounds are disclosed for augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of consumable materials including foodstuffs, chewing gums, chewing tobaccos, medicinal products, toothpastes, perfumes, perfumed articles (such as liquid or solid, anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents), fabric softeners and dryer-added fabric softener articles.

Abstract: A process for artificially curing mature green tobacco is provided wherein the tobacco is immersed in an acidic medium and incubated therein at at least room temperature until the desired color develops. Incubation at pH 1.5 to 3.5 at about 50.degree. C. for as little as 3 hours may be sufficient to eliminate the green color and green smoke taste and odor of the tobacco.

Abstract: Described are compounds having the generic structure: ##STR1## wherein the dashed line is either a carbon-carbon single bond or a carbon-carbon double bond and each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represents hydrogen or methyl with the proviso that one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.1 is methyl and the other of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is hydrogen and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are not both methyl; and wherein R.sub.5 represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl are disclosed. In addition organoleptic uses of such compounds are disclosed for augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of consumable materials including foodstuffs, chewing gums, chewing tobaccos, medicinal products, toothpastes, perfumes, perfumed articles (such as liquid or solid anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents) fabric softeners, dryer added fabric softener articles, and smoking tobaccos. Also disclosed is a process for preparing such compounds according to the reaction scheme: ##STR2## wherein R' represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: A method for utilizing waste cellulosic material by conversion to sugars suitable for use in tobacco manufacturing is disclosed. The method comprises comminuting waste cellulose products, which are generated during tobacco product manufacturing, deesterifying any waste cellulose acetate present in the waste products, enzymatically saccharifying the deesterified and comminuted products to simple sugars and recovering the sugars produced. The recovered sugars may be utilized in tobacco treatment processes. Enzymatic saccharification is preferably effected with Trichoderma viride cellulases.