Process for reducing the protein content of tobacco material.

摘要

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.