Patent ID: 9220296
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: A24B

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing the content of nitrosamines in tobacco, the method comprising: providing a tobacco having an initial level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines; combining the tobacco with an aqueous solvent to form a soluble extracts fraction having an initial level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines and an insoluble residue fraction having an initial level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines; contacting the soluble extracts fraction with a nitrosamine-reducing material having a specific surface area of from greater than 240 m contacting the insoluble residue fraction with an alkali extractant to form an insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines; and optionally, recombining the soluble extracts fraction having a reduced level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines and the insoluble residue fraction having a reduced level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines to form a reconstituted tobacco product, wherein the reconstituted tobacco product has a final level of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, the final level being at least 30% less than a tobacco product not treated with a nitrosamine-reducing material and an alkali extractant.