TOBACCO TREATMENT

摘要

This invention provides a method for reducing the protein content of tobacco mat erial which includes extracting the tobacco material with a surfactant and optionally, a proteolytic enzyme. The tob acco material may be first extracted with an aqueous solvent to produce an aqueous extract before being treated with the 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 s uch as bentonite. Treatment of the aqueous extract with bentonite will produce an extract having a reduced pigment and polypeptide content.