GB191220347A - Improvements in the Extraction of Nicotine from Green or Uncured Tobacco. - Google Patents

Abstract

20,347. Stuart, H. Villiers-. Sept. 6. Tobacco.-Nicotine is extracted from green uncured tobacco in such a manner that the tobacco may be used as a fertilizer or cured for smoking or other purposes. Tobacco is immersed in an alkaline solution and the nicotine dialyses through the membrane of the leaves. The process is preferably carried out in a series of cells each containing tobacco. The solution is placed in the first cell and, when a balance of the crystalloids is obtained, it is transferred to the second cell, fresh solution being charged into the first cell. This process is continued throughout the whole series of cells. The nicotine is then removed from the solution in the last cell by any well-known means, preferably by means of a hydrocarbon such as petrol, Scotch naphtha, or gasolene, the nicotine being finally obtained from the hydrocarbon by acidulated water. The whole process is repeated, the first cell being removed and an additional cell containing fresh tobacco being added after the last cell. If desired, the process may be carried out in a single tank; the solution pumped off to dissolve out the nicotine, and the hydrocarbon is also pumped off to free it from nicotine, the solution and hydrocarbon being subsequently pumped back to their respective tanks. If desired, the tobacco may first be dipped in the alkaline solution to free the nicotine and the leaves then immersed in a hydrocarbon, preferably paraffin oil. According to a further modification, the alkaline solution is heated to 150‹ F. and the nicotine is fixed in the solution by means of an acid, the solution being subsequently evaporated to concentrate the nicotine.