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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 halocarbon or a halogenated hydrocarbon. 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 halocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon 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 a flavoring agent for cigarettes and other smoking articles. Tobacco components carried by the halocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon solvent also can be separated from that solvent.

Abstract: Tobacco material having a reduced protein content is provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The extracted residue then is subjected to enzyme treatment using an enzyme which can decompose water insoluble protein molecules to smaller sized water soluble molecular components. The enzyme treated extracted tobacco material then is isolated. The extracted tobacco components then are subjected to ultrafiltration treatment, and the extracted tobacco components having the high molecular weight components thereof so removed are reapplied to the protein-reduced tobacco material. As such, a reconstituted tobacco material is provided. The reconstituted tobacco material so provided is useful as smokable material for cigarette manufacture.

Abstract: Tobacco material having a reduced protein content is provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The extracted residue then is subjected to enzyme treatment using an enzyme which can decompose water insoluble protein molecules to smaller sized water soluble molecular components. The enzyme treated extracted tobacco material then is isolated. The extracted tobacco components then can be reapplied to the protein reduced tobacco material. The tobacco material so processed is use as smokable material for cigarette manufacture.