Method for assay and removal of harmful toxins during processing of tobacco products
OwnerKerry Scott Laneinventor
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Abstract
A process and system for continuous assay and removal of toxins from tobacco. Products such as tobacco contaminated with mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, and benzpyrene and its precursors, are subjected to treatment, generally in a solvent medium, to decontaminate the tobacco of the toxin. Continuous monitoring of all harmful toxins eluted from the cleaning solvent is performed by immunoantibody ultraviolet fluorescence, for example. A quality, control process ensures removal of harmful toxins from tobacco before further processing. Decontamination of extracted solvent streams and re-additives ensures safe reuse or disposal of the solvents and re-additives.
Claims4
A process of neutralizing aflatoxin on tobacco comprising:
- (a) treating tobacco with a process to remove aflatoxin;
- (b) assaying a tobacco sample taken from the tobacco treated in the prior step to determine its aflatoxin level;
- and
- (c) determining if the aflatoxin level exceeds a predetermined level and if the aflatoxin exceeds that level then the steps are repeated until that predetermined level, or less, is achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.