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US 5,343,879 AGranted
Tobacco treatment process
AssigneeR. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorRichard A. Teague
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aqueous tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting finely ground tobacco laminae to extraction conditions in the presence of an aqueous solvent and an active enzyme. Then, the enzyme is deactivated, and a liquid aqueous tobacco extract is separated from the insoluble tobacco pulp which remains. The liquid extract is collected and used as a form of tobacco for smoking article manufacture.
Claims6
A process for providing a tobacco extract, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) subjecting a tobacco material to extraction conditions in the presence of an extraction solvent and at least one active enzyme, wherein the extraction conditions comprise maintaining the pH at about 4.0 to about 5.0 and maintaining the temperature at about 40.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C.;
- (b) separating solvent and tobacco extract therein from tobacco material not extracted by the solvent;
- and
- (c) collecting solvent and tobacco extract therein.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.