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.

Abstract: A process for shredding tobacco stems into fibrillar stem fragments by striking stem shards protreptically against the inertia thereof while in dynamic suspension.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for selectively removing and recovering potassium nitrate in a relatively pure state from tobacco, and especially from Burley tobacco stems. The process comprises the steps of (1) contacting tobacco plant parts with water to obtain an aqueous extract and a fibrous tobacco residue, (2) concentrating the extract, (3) cooling the extract, and (4) separating and recovering the potassium nitrate crystals formed therein. The denitrated aqueous extract is recombined with the fibrous tobacco residue as in making reconstituted tobacco and the like. The purified potassium nitrate is suitable without further purification to use as a fertilizer, thus eliminating costly disposal problems.