Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation

Richard P Newton, Jr

Lawrence E Gravely

Vernon L Geiss

John N Jewell

Charles F Gregory

Robert R Johnson

Ardath B Canon

The disclosure is of a process for reducing the moisture content of expanded tobacco while minimizing yield losses and reducing particle lamination while maintaining filling power. The process comprises drying the expanded tobacco at a temperature within the range of from about 250.degree. F. to about 650.degree. F. in the presence of an absolute humidity at a level above that which will provide a wet-bulb temperature of at least about 150.degree. F.

Tobacco drying process

A process for the reduction of the nicotine content of tobacco by microbial treatment is disclosed. Tobacco is subjected, under controlled conditions, to the action of a microorganism effective to degrade nicotine through a biochemical reaction in which, inter alia, 3-succinoylpyridine is formed. Prior to subjecting the tobacco to the action of the microorganism, the tobacco is steamed to increase its moisture content. Tobaccos with lowered nicotine content but no mass loss result from this process following short treatment periods. Also, tobacco treated in accordance with this process, when incorporated into a tobacco smoking product, produces a mild smoke, having a reduced nicotine content. However, there is no loss of desirable flavor, taste and smoking properties.

Tobacco with reduced nicotine content due to microbial treatment

A tobacco product having a reduced nicotine content. Tobacco is subjected, under controlled conditions, to the action of a microorganism effective to degrade nicotine through a biochemical reaction in which, inter alia, 3-succinoylpyridine is formed. Tobacco treated in accordance with this process, when incorporated into a tobacco smoking product, produces a mild smoke, having a reduced nicotine content. However, there is no loss of desirable flavor, taste and smoking properties.

Process for reduction of nicotine content of tobacco by microbial

A process for the reduction of the nicotine content of tobacco by microbial treatment is disclosed. Tobacco is subjected, under controlled conditions, to the action of a microorganism effective to degrade nicotine through a biochemical reaction in which, inter alia, 3-succinoylpyridine is formed. Tobacco treated in accordance with this process, when incorporated into a tobacco smoking product, produces a mild smoke, having a reduced nicotine content. However, there is no loss of desirable flavor, taste and smoking properties.

A process for the reduction of the nicotine content of tobacco by microbial treatment is disclosed. Tobacco is subjected, under controlled conditions, to the action of a microorganism effective to degrade nicotine through a biochemical reaction in which, inter alia, 3-succinoylpyridine is formed. Prior to subjecting the tobacco to the action of the microorganism, the tobacco is steamed to increase its moisture content. Tobaccos with lowered nicotine content but no mass loss result from this process following short treatment periods. Also, tobacco treated in accordance with this process, when incorporated into a tobacco smoking product, produces a mild smoke, having reduced nicotine content. However, there is no loss of desirable flavor, taste and smoking properties.

A process is disclosed for maximizing the growth and nicotine degrading activity of microorganisms effective to degrade nicotine through a biochemical mechanism in which 3-succinoylpyridine is formed. The process involves inoculating a nicotine-containing growth medium with the microorganisms and subjecting the broth to aeration and agitation. During the growth period, the broth should be maintained at a pH of between about 6 and 7.8 and at a temperature between about 10.degree. C and about 45.degree. C. The broth should have an initial nicotine concentration of at least 0.5 mg. per ml. up to an amount which is toxic to the microorganisms.

Process for maximizing the growth and nicotine degrading activity of

This invention relates to a tobacco treatment in which the perceived strength of tobacco smoke is improved by treatment of acidic tobacco with a material which remains essentially inactive until the tobacco is burned. The treatment is particularly effective on acidic tobacco to be employed in high filtration cigarettes which deliver reduced amounts of tar and nicotine.

Growing community of inventors

Louisville, KY, United States of America

Richard P Newton, Jr