CA1060306A - Process for the processing of raw leaf tobacco by treatment with hydrogen - Google Patents
Process for the processing of raw leaf tobacco by treatment with hydrogenInfo
- Publication number
- CA1060306A CA1060306A CA264,317A CA264317A CA1060306A CA 1060306 A CA1060306 A CA 1060306A CA 264317 A CA264317 A CA 264317A CA 1060306 A CA1060306 A CA 1060306A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tobacco
- leaf tobacco
- hydrogen
- treatment
- raw leaf
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A process is provided for the treatment of raw leaf tobacco which comprises treating the raw leaf tobacco with hydrogen. The smoking taste of the tobacco is not impaired as a result of the process of the present invention; and substances, such as nicotine and tar, which present a severe health hazard, are substantially eliminated without using chemicals.
A process is provided for the treatment of raw leaf tobacco which comprises treating the raw leaf tobacco with hydrogen. The smoking taste of the tobacco is not impaired as a result of the process of the present invention; and substances, such as nicotine and tar, which present a severe health hazard, are substantially eliminated without using chemicals.
Description
~o60306 The present invention relates to a process for treating tobacco.
In the past, the manufacture of tobacco products has been carried out by harvesting and drying leaves of cultivated tobacco in the shade and stoxing them in a warehouse for leaf tobacco. The requisite amount is then taken from the warehouse during production and processing of products such as cigarettes, and the tobacco is cut and blended with various additives, such as sugar and spices.
In order to offset the health hazard to humans posed by nicotine and tar, a substantial amount of research has been made to discover ways of reducing the amount of nicotine and tar, such as cultivation of species with low content of nicotine and tar, the use of filter devices, and/or treatment with chemicals.
However, the natural smoking taste inherent to untreated raw tobacco is severely impaired by these sophisticated counter-measures. In addition, in certain uneconomical processing methods currently practiced, the amounts of hazardous substances such as nicotine and tar in the tobacco are not, in fact, reduced, which means that the resulting tobacco products constitute a serious health hazard to humans.
It has now been discovered, surprisingly, that it is possible, by eliminating some of the processing procedures and materials employed in the conventional processing methods men-tioned above, to retain the natural smoking taste inherent to un-treated raw tobacco and, furthermore, to remove a substantial proportion of hazardous substances such as nicotine and tar.
According to the present invention, there is provided a process for the treatment of raw leaf tobacco, which comprises treatiny raw leaf tobacco by bringing it into contact with hydrogen gas.
~, ~' It is a matter of simple experimentation to determine suitable periods of time, temperatures and hydrogenation pressures which will result in a treated tobacco having a "good smoking taste" and not requiring the addition of any other ingredients.
The process of this invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a covered vessel employed for the process of the present invention,and Figure 2 shows drying curves A and B for the case where raw leaf tobacco is dried in the shade in front of a farmhouse (A) and for the case where raw leaf tobacco is treated according to the process of the present invention ~B).
The process of the present invention maintains a "good smoking taste" of raw leaf tobacco. The process is effected by subjecting this tobacco to a hydrogenation treatment during which hydrogenated products are formed from the compounds originally present in the leaf tobacco.
It will be appreciated that the maintenance of a "good smoking taste" can be achieved by suitably adjusting the pressure of hydrogen, temperature and time of treatment. During the hydrogenation treatment, hydrogenated products of hydrocarbons, carbohydrates and other organic carbon compounds are formed by the formation of covalent bonds between the hydrogen and the carbon atoms of the organic constituents.
Examples of suitable types of raw leaf tobacco to be used in the present invention are usual leaf tobacco or shredded tobacco leaves.
The process of the present invention may be carried out in an open vessel under atmospheric pressure, or in a closed vessel under superatmospheric pressure.
106~)306 The process of the present invention may be carried out at elevated temperature, but this is not essential. It is preferable to carry out the process at room temperature, for example, at 10 to 30C, having careful regard to the hazard presented by the use of hydrogen. It is preferable to carry out the process of the present invention under atmospheric pressure as this allows the use of a vessel which is not very expensive.
When the process is carried out under superatmo~pheric pressure, the formation of bonds between hydrogen and the organic compounds is assisted. When atmospheric pressure is employed, it is possible to supply hydrogen to the vessel continuously or discontinuously in several steps. In the case of a continuous supply of hydrogen, it is preferable to employ a vessel having means capable of separating water from hydrogen.
Under superatmospheric pressure, a continuous supply of hydrogen is possible, but this requires expensive equipment so that discontinuous operation is preferable. According to the discontinuous operation, hydrogen gas and moisture are removed and the supply of fresh hydrogen gas is repeated several times.
According to the process of the present invention, the period of drying can be shortened, which, it is believed, is due to the provision of suitable ventillation in i_he vessel. Thus, gaseous materials, such as air and steam can be rapidly removed through a bottom vent in the vessel.
The present invention is illustrated by the following Example, in which parts are by weight.
EXAMPLE
A. ~aw leaf tobacco dried in the shade in front of a farmhouse:
(1) Drying period: about 30 days ' 1060~06
In the past, the manufacture of tobacco products has been carried out by harvesting and drying leaves of cultivated tobacco in the shade and stoxing them in a warehouse for leaf tobacco. The requisite amount is then taken from the warehouse during production and processing of products such as cigarettes, and the tobacco is cut and blended with various additives, such as sugar and spices.
In order to offset the health hazard to humans posed by nicotine and tar, a substantial amount of research has been made to discover ways of reducing the amount of nicotine and tar, such as cultivation of species with low content of nicotine and tar, the use of filter devices, and/or treatment with chemicals.
However, the natural smoking taste inherent to untreated raw tobacco is severely impaired by these sophisticated counter-measures. In addition, in certain uneconomical processing methods currently practiced, the amounts of hazardous substances such as nicotine and tar in the tobacco are not, in fact, reduced, which means that the resulting tobacco products constitute a serious health hazard to humans.
It has now been discovered, surprisingly, that it is possible, by eliminating some of the processing procedures and materials employed in the conventional processing methods men-tioned above, to retain the natural smoking taste inherent to un-treated raw tobacco and, furthermore, to remove a substantial proportion of hazardous substances such as nicotine and tar.
According to the present invention, there is provided a process for the treatment of raw leaf tobacco, which comprises treatiny raw leaf tobacco by bringing it into contact with hydrogen gas.
~, ~' It is a matter of simple experimentation to determine suitable periods of time, temperatures and hydrogenation pressures which will result in a treated tobacco having a "good smoking taste" and not requiring the addition of any other ingredients.
The process of this invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a covered vessel employed for the process of the present invention,and Figure 2 shows drying curves A and B for the case where raw leaf tobacco is dried in the shade in front of a farmhouse (A) and for the case where raw leaf tobacco is treated according to the process of the present invention ~B).
The process of the present invention maintains a "good smoking taste" of raw leaf tobacco. The process is effected by subjecting this tobacco to a hydrogenation treatment during which hydrogenated products are formed from the compounds originally present in the leaf tobacco.
It will be appreciated that the maintenance of a "good smoking taste" can be achieved by suitably adjusting the pressure of hydrogen, temperature and time of treatment. During the hydrogenation treatment, hydrogenated products of hydrocarbons, carbohydrates and other organic carbon compounds are formed by the formation of covalent bonds between the hydrogen and the carbon atoms of the organic constituents.
Examples of suitable types of raw leaf tobacco to be used in the present invention are usual leaf tobacco or shredded tobacco leaves.
The process of the present invention may be carried out in an open vessel under atmospheric pressure, or in a closed vessel under superatmospheric pressure.
106~)306 The process of the present invention may be carried out at elevated temperature, but this is not essential. It is preferable to carry out the process at room temperature, for example, at 10 to 30C, having careful regard to the hazard presented by the use of hydrogen. It is preferable to carry out the process of the present invention under atmospheric pressure as this allows the use of a vessel which is not very expensive.
When the process is carried out under superatmo~pheric pressure, the formation of bonds between hydrogen and the organic compounds is assisted. When atmospheric pressure is employed, it is possible to supply hydrogen to the vessel continuously or discontinuously in several steps. In the case of a continuous supply of hydrogen, it is preferable to employ a vessel having means capable of separating water from hydrogen.
Under superatmospheric pressure, a continuous supply of hydrogen is possible, but this requires expensive equipment so that discontinuous operation is preferable. According to the discontinuous operation, hydrogen gas and moisture are removed and the supply of fresh hydrogen gas is repeated several times.
According to the process of the present invention, the period of drying can be shortened, which, it is believed, is due to the provision of suitable ventillation in i_he vessel. Thus, gaseous materials, such as air and steam can be rapidly removed through a bottom vent in the vessel.
The present invention is illustrated by the following Example, in which parts are by weight.
EXAMPLE
A. ~aw leaf tobacco dried in the shade in front of a farmhouse:
(1) Drying period: about 30 days ' 1060~06
(2) Result obtained upon smoking of such dried leaves through a pipe with a filter-tip:
Weight of tobacco 611 parts Weight of filter before smoking145 parts Weight of the filter after smoking 200 parts Balance (weight increase) 55 parts Weight of the filter after removal of water by drying at 104C for 30 min. 13 parts (nicotine and other substances absorbed) B. Raw leaf tobacco treated according to the process of the present invention:
Referring to Figure 1, raw leaf tobacco 3 was placed on stand 2 in a covered vessel 1 which is equipped with vent 6 only at the bottom and the hydrogenation treatment was carried out, while introducing hydrogen into the vessel through inlet 5 from hydrogen supply tube 4 connected to hydrogen bomb 7, at 20 to 30C. Ventilation is provided through vent 6. The supply of hydrogen is carried out 15 times every 24 hours.
(1) Drying period: about 15 days (2) Result obtained upon smoking dried tobacco through a pipe with a filter-tip:
Weight of tobacco 611 parts Weight of filter before smoking153 parts Weight of the filter after smoking 186 parts Balance (weight increase) 33 parts Weight of the filter after removal of water by drying at 104C for 30 min. 10 parts (deteriorated nicotine and others absorbed) According to these results, the drying period of B was reduced to about a half that of A and the weight difference in the case of B treated according to the present invention after and before smoking was lower by 22 parts than that in the case of A, i.e., the weight of filter of A after smoking was 55 parts and that of B was 33 parts. The weight of filter for A after smoking and drying at 104C for 30 min. was 13 parts and that for B was 10 parts. The weight difference of 3 parts between the two filters implies that B has higher degree of dryness than A and that the substances contained in B underwent changes during the hydrogenation treatment.
It appears that decomposition occurred in nicotine residue and tar, narnely that hydrogen exponent altered, indicating errors in the protein and alkaloid content.
~ igure 2 shows drying curves for the case where raw leaf tobacco is dried in the shade in front of a farmhouse and for the case where the raw leaf tobacco is treated according to the process of the present invention.
The change in the components contained in t~bacco which is treated according to the present invention is further illustrated by the following results of a taste differentiation test. The values shown in the Table are average values as the tests were carried out by ten persons.
TABLE
Results obtained upon taste differentiation tests l Good Strenth State of tobacco Sweet- Taste (tipsi- Sharp Bitter '~ examined Iness (body) ness) taste taste ! commercial cigarette ¦(Brandname: Seven Stars) 5 4 7 3 6 ¦Raw leaf tobacco unprocessed 2 7 4 8 4 Raw leaf tobacco treated with hydrogen 7 3 2 The figure means the extent of taste. The highest value is ten.
Test Example Raw leaf tobacco treated by the conventional process and by the present process was dried until it reached a constant weight and, after the drying, was smoked through a filter. The increase of the filter weight after smoking and the weight after drying the filters at 104C for 30 minutes were measured. The amounts containing hazardous substances such as nicotine were thus compared between the tobacco treated by the present invention and that treated by the conventional process.
The results obtained are shown in the following Table:-! ¦Raw leaf Weigh~ Increase of Weight after tobacco after drying filter weight drying of after smoking substances attached to i the filter Conventional process 100 parts 12.1 parts 1.09 parts 0.26 part Present 100 parts 9.2 parts 0.49 part 0.14 part l~nvention .. .
(Note: "parts" are by weight.) As seen from the above test resulte, it is clear that hazardous substances such as nicotine were remarkably reduced inthe case of the tobacco treated by the present invention, since the increase of the filter weight was less than one half in com-parison with that of the tobacco dried by the conventional process.
Moreover, the fact that the reduction after the drying of the substances attached to the filter in the case of the con-ventional process is greater than that in the case of the present invention proves that the raw leaf tobacco includes many kinds of substances such as water which decompose or vaporize up to 104C.
The process of the present invention results in a suprising and marked effect on tobacco which has not previously been obtained by conventional tobacco treatments. The drying period is reduced to about a half that conventionally employed, thereby simplifying the processing markedly, and harzardous substances such as nicotine and tar can be substantially eliminated without using chemicals. In addition, the smoking taste, which is vital to tobacco is not adversely affected and bitterness is reduced to one third of that in tobacco treated by conventional processes.
Furthermore, a sharp taste is maintained, while tipsiness, which the smoker feels due to paralysis of the cranial nerve, is sup-pressed to less than one third. Sweetness is alo increased about one and half times. Thus, a "good smoking taste" which is vital to tobacco, is produced according to the process of the present invention which resembles, substantially, the original, natural smoking taste of tobacco.
Weight of tobacco 611 parts Weight of filter before smoking145 parts Weight of the filter after smoking 200 parts Balance (weight increase) 55 parts Weight of the filter after removal of water by drying at 104C for 30 min. 13 parts (nicotine and other substances absorbed) B. Raw leaf tobacco treated according to the process of the present invention:
Referring to Figure 1, raw leaf tobacco 3 was placed on stand 2 in a covered vessel 1 which is equipped with vent 6 only at the bottom and the hydrogenation treatment was carried out, while introducing hydrogen into the vessel through inlet 5 from hydrogen supply tube 4 connected to hydrogen bomb 7, at 20 to 30C. Ventilation is provided through vent 6. The supply of hydrogen is carried out 15 times every 24 hours.
(1) Drying period: about 15 days (2) Result obtained upon smoking dried tobacco through a pipe with a filter-tip:
Weight of tobacco 611 parts Weight of filter before smoking153 parts Weight of the filter after smoking 186 parts Balance (weight increase) 33 parts Weight of the filter after removal of water by drying at 104C for 30 min. 10 parts (deteriorated nicotine and others absorbed) According to these results, the drying period of B was reduced to about a half that of A and the weight difference in the case of B treated according to the present invention after and before smoking was lower by 22 parts than that in the case of A, i.e., the weight of filter of A after smoking was 55 parts and that of B was 33 parts. The weight of filter for A after smoking and drying at 104C for 30 min. was 13 parts and that for B was 10 parts. The weight difference of 3 parts between the two filters implies that B has higher degree of dryness than A and that the substances contained in B underwent changes during the hydrogenation treatment.
It appears that decomposition occurred in nicotine residue and tar, narnely that hydrogen exponent altered, indicating errors in the protein and alkaloid content.
~ igure 2 shows drying curves for the case where raw leaf tobacco is dried in the shade in front of a farmhouse and for the case where the raw leaf tobacco is treated according to the process of the present invention.
The change in the components contained in t~bacco which is treated according to the present invention is further illustrated by the following results of a taste differentiation test. The values shown in the Table are average values as the tests were carried out by ten persons.
TABLE
Results obtained upon taste differentiation tests l Good Strenth State of tobacco Sweet- Taste (tipsi- Sharp Bitter '~ examined Iness (body) ness) taste taste ! commercial cigarette ¦(Brandname: Seven Stars) 5 4 7 3 6 ¦Raw leaf tobacco unprocessed 2 7 4 8 4 Raw leaf tobacco treated with hydrogen 7 3 2 The figure means the extent of taste. The highest value is ten.
Test Example Raw leaf tobacco treated by the conventional process and by the present process was dried until it reached a constant weight and, after the drying, was smoked through a filter. The increase of the filter weight after smoking and the weight after drying the filters at 104C for 30 minutes were measured. The amounts containing hazardous substances such as nicotine were thus compared between the tobacco treated by the present invention and that treated by the conventional process.
The results obtained are shown in the following Table:-! ¦Raw leaf Weigh~ Increase of Weight after tobacco after drying filter weight drying of after smoking substances attached to i the filter Conventional process 100 parts 12.1 parts 1.09 parts 0.26 part Present 100 parts 9.2 parts 0.49 part 0.14 part l~nvention .. .
(Note: "parts" are by weight.) As seen from the above test resulte, it is clear that hazardous substances such as nicotine were remarkably reduced inthe case of the tobacco treated by the present invention, since the increase of the filter weight was less than one half in com-parison with that of the tobacco dried by the conventional process.
Moreover, the fact that the reduction after the drying of the substances attached to the filter in the case of the con-ventional process is greater than that in the case of the present invention proves that the raw leaf tobacco includes many kinds of substances such as water which decompose or vaporize up to 104C.
The process of the present invention results in a suprising and marked effect on tobacco which has not previously been obtained by conventional tobacco treatments. The drying period is reduced to about a half that conventionally employed, thereby simplifying the processing markedly, and harzardous substances such as nicotine and tar can be substantially eliminated without using chemicals. In addition, the smoking taste, which is vital to tobacco is not adversely affected and bitterness is reduced to one third of that in tobacco treated by conventional processes.
Furthermore, a sharp taste is maintained, while tipsiness, which the smoker feels due to paralysis of the cranial nerve, is sup-pressed to less than one third. Sweetness is alo increased about one and half times. Thus, a "good smoking taste" which is vital to tobacco, is produced according to the process of the present invention which resembles, substantially, the original, natural smoking taste of tobacco.
Claims (7)
1. Process for the treatment of raw leaf tobacco, which comprises treating said raw leaf tobacco by bringing it into contact with hydrogen gas.
2. Process according to claim 1, wherein the treatment is carried out under atmospheric pressure or under superatmospheric pressure.
3. Process according to claim 1, wherein the treatment is carried out at a temperature of 10°C to 30°C.
4. Process according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the raw leaf tobacco is in the form of whole leaves or as shredded tobacco leaves.
5. Process according to claim 1, wherein the treatment is carried out in an open vessel or in a closed vessel.
6. Process according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said raw leaf tobacco is contacted with hydrogen continuously or discontinuously.
7. Treated leaf tobacco obtained by a process as claimed in claim 1.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP50131928A JPS5257396A (en) | 1975-10-31 | 1975-10-31 | Method of maintaining and processing natural flaver through hydrogen bond to material tobacco leaves |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1060306A true CA1060306A (en) | 1979-08-14 |
Family
ID=36763965
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA264,317A Expired CA1060306A (en) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-10-27 | Process for the processing of raw leaf tobacco by treatment with hydrogen |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1060306A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4665931A (en) * | 1983-01-04 | 1987-05-19 | Isolcell Europa S.R.L. | Method of pest controlling tobaccos and a system for carrying out said method |
-
1976
- 1976-10-27 CA CA264,317A patent/CA1060306A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4665931A (en) * | 1983-01-04 | 1987-05-19 | Isolcell Europa S.R.L. | Method of pest controlling tobaccos and a system for carrying out said method |
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