Method of reducing tobacco-specific nitrosamines

摘要

A method for reducing the tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in tobacco and tobacco smoke is provided. The tobacco is combined with a solvent to form a soluble extracts fraction and an insoluble residue fraction. The soluble extracts fraction is contacted with a nitrosamine-reducing material to provide a soluble extracts fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs. The nitrosamine-reducing material may comprise a sepiolite. The insoluble residue fraction is contacted with an alkali extractant to provide an insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs. The alkali extractant may comprise a hydroxide. The soluble extracts fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs and insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of TSNAs may be recombined to form a reconstituted tobacco product having a reduced level of TSNAs. The TSNAs may be reduced by at least about 30%, such as at least about 40%, such as at least about 50%.

主权项

1. A method for reducing the content of nitrosamines in tobacco, the method comprising:
providing a tobacco having an initial level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines; combining the tobacco with an aqueous solvent to form a soluble extracts fraction having an initial level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines and an insoluble residue fraction having an initial level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines; contacting the soluble extracts fraction with a nitrosamine-reducing material having a specific surface area of from greater than 240 m2/g; to about 300 m2/g to form a soluble extracts fraction having a reduced level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines; contacting the insoluble residue fraction with an alkali extractant to form an insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines; and optionally, recombining the soluble extracts fraction having a reduced level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines and the insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines to form a reconstituted tobacco product, wherein the reconstituted tobacco product has a final level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, the final level being at least 30% less than a tobacco product not treated with a nitrosamine-reducing material and an alkali extractant.