Methods for reducing matrix-bound nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone in tobacco plant material
AssigneePhilip Morris Products S.A.
InventorsGerhard Lang, Jean-Pierre Schaller, Aline Vuarnoz
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Abstract
A method of reducing the amount of matrix-bound NNK in cured tobacco plant material is provided comprising reducing the amount of lignin in the cured tobacco plant material. A further method of reducing the formation of matrix-bound NNK during the curing of tobacco plant material is described comprising reducing the amount of lignin therein prior to curing.
Claims13
1-15. (canceled)
A method of reducing an amount of matrix-bound NNK in cured tobacco plant material, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing cured tobacco plant material;
- (b) treating the cured plant material to reduce particle size;
- (c) mechanically separating lignified tissue from non-lignified tissue in the treated cured tobacco plant material by size;
- and
- (d) obtaining the mechanically separated treated cured tobacco plant material in which an amount of lignin is reduced and the amount of matrix-bound NNK is reduced as compared to the cured tobacco plant material provided in step (a).
A method of reducing formation of matrix-bound NNK during curing of tobacco plant material comprising reducing an amount of lignin therein prior to curing, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing uncured tobacco plant material;
- (b) treating the uncured plant material to reduce particle size;
- (c) mechanically separating lignified tissue from non-lignified tissue in the treated uncured tobacco plant material by size;
- (d) curing the mechanically separated lignified tissue obtained from step (c)and
- (e) obtaining the cured tobacco plant material from step (d) in which the amount of matrix-bound NNK is reduced as compared to a control in which the amount of lignin has not been reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.