RU2647790C2 - Smokeless tobacco composition and a method for its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use. Smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff for oral use contains at least 20 wt% water relative to the total weight of the final mixture, wherein the composition contains at least 1 wt% lactic acid or a salt thereof with respect to the dry weight of the final composition.

EFFECT: technical result of the invention is production of a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use.

14 cl, 2 dwg, 1 tbl, 1 ex

Description

The present invention relates to a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use containing at least 1% wt. lactic acid or its salt in relation to the dry weight of the smokeless tobacco mixture, as well as to the method for its preparation and to the use of such a mixture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff products for oral use contain finely divided solid particles, such as crushed or cut, tobacco or non-tobacco material, or a combination thereof, which are not intended to be burned, but are intended to be placed in the user's oral cavity for a period of time.

There are many different forms of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco products for oral use. Such forms include chewing tobacco and a tobacco or non-tobacco snuff product. The snuff product is available in two forms, as a dry snuff product for oral or nasal use and as a wet (or wet) snuff product. There are two types of wet snuff product: American type and Scandinavian type. An American-style wet snuff product is available in free form or as pre-packaged sachets and is usually used between the lower gum and lip. Using a wet American-style snuff product is commonly called dipping. Snus is a Scandinavian-type snuff from a moist snuff that is also available in free form or as pre-packaged servings in bags. Snus is commonly used between the upper gum and lip.

There are a number of properties of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff products that are very important to the end user. Among them, organoleptic properties, such as texture, aroma, taste, shape and packaging of the product, are important for the consumer.

There is an indicator in the offer of a number of products with various organoleptic properties for consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco mixture of a snuff product for oral use containing at least 1% wt. lactic acid or its salt in relation to the dry weight of the smokeless tobacco mixture. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a mixture, to the use of such a mixture and to a sachet containing such a mixture.

The present invention is defined in the attached claims.

Thus, the first aspect of the present invention is a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use containing at least 20% wt. water from the total mass of the final mixture, in which the composition further comprises at least 1% wt. lactic acid or its salt in relation to the dry weight of the final mixture.

The second aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco mixture of a snuff composition for oral use containing at least 20% by weight. water in relation to the total mass of the final mixture and at least 1% wt. lactic acid or its salt with respect to the dry weight of the final mixture, in which the method contains:

a) the provision of tobacco or non-tobacco plant material;

b) processing the material provided for in step a) and, optionally, other ingredients; and

c) optionally, packaging the smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition either in sachets or as is in jars or boxes,

in which lactic acid or its salt is introduced at one or more of the following stages:

i) before stage b),

ii) in the process of step b) and / or

iii) after step b).

A third aspect of the present invention is the use of a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition according to the first aspect of the invention for preparing portioned packets containing the mixture.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a sachet comprising a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to the first aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows the principle of the production method according to the GothiaTek standard, as used to obtain a wet snuff composition ("snus") of the Scandinavian type. In FIG. Figure 2 shows the development of microorganisms in a snus mixture containing various salts in various quantities, where the mixtures were stored for 3 weeks (504 hours) at 22 ° C and 60% relative humidity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the present description, it is understood that the term "tobacco" is used for any part, for example, leaves and stems, of any member of the genus Nicotiana (nicotine). Tobacco can be whole, brightened, twisted, chopped, crushed, aged, fermented, or otherwise, for example, granulated or encapsulated. Tobacco can also be in the form of end products, including any smokeless tobacco blend that is consumed in the mouth. Such smokeless tobacco blends include a snuff composition and chewing tobacco.

Used in the description of the invention, the term "non-tobacco snuff composition refers to a snuff composition that does not contain tobacco, but is similar to a tobacco snuff composition in that it has similar texture, color, taste, aroma and mouth feel. Non-tobacco snuff compositions are usually based on non-tobacco plant fibers. Examples of non-tobacco plant materials are oat fibers, apple fibers, sugar beet fibers, potato fibers, buckwheat fibers, cocoa fibers and cellulose fibers. Smokeless, non-tobacco snuff compositions for oral use are used in the same way as the corresponding smokeless tobacco products for oral use.

The snuff composition is available in two forms, such as a dry nasal snuff composition for sniffing and a wet (or wet) snuff composition such as snus for use in the mouth when placed between the lip and gum.

Dry snuff composition for nasal use has a low water content, usually less than 10% wt. and usually obtained from fire-dried fermented tobacco. The tobacco is pulverized and optionally other ingredients are added.

An American-style wet snuff composition for oral use is usually prepared by the method of fermentation of moistened ground or shredded tobacco. Water content is usually more than 40% wt. The American-style wet snuff composition is available in free form or as pre-packaged sachets and is most commonly used between the lower gum and lip, but can also be used as a “snus” between the upper gum and lip.

The term "snus", as used in the description, means a wet snuff composition of the Scandinavian type for oral use, which is obtained by heat treatment instead of fermentation. Tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition can be provided in solid dispersed form, as a free powder or portion, packaged in a bag. The final water content is usually more than 40% by weight, but semi-dry products having a water content of less than 40% by weight, such as a water content of about 20% by weight, are also available. Snus is commonly used between the upper gum and lip.

The terms “oral” and “oral application” in all contexts are used here as a description of the application in the oral cavity, i.e. for chewing or cheek placement, such as between the lip and gum.

As used here, the term “water content” means the total water content of a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition, including natural water contained in the materials used in the mixture, as well as pure water introduced, as measured using a standardized water analysis method such as Karl Fisher titration or gas chromatography ((GC) (GC)). Water content is given here as a percentage by weight (% wt.).

Smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions for oral use may have a water content in the range of about 10% by weight. for very dry foods and up to about 65% wt. in relation to the total mass of the final mixture, usually from 20 to 60% wt. or from 30 to 60% wt. The water-holding capacity of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions affects the moisture perception of the product. A composition having a high water holding capacity may feel drier than a mixture with a lower water holding capacity, although both mixtures have the same water content. Some consumers prefer products that are drier, while others prefer more important products.

“Water activity” (a _W ) is defined as the vapor pressure of the above sample divided by the vapor pressure of pure water at the same temperature. Water activity refers to the water content of the sample in a nonlinear relationship. Values of water activity are obtained either by capacitance or by a dew point hygrometer. Water activity, as used here, is measured with a Decagon AquaLab Series 3 instrument, which uses a cold mirror / dew point technique and is calibrated using certified reference solutions.

The term "dry weight" introduces the commonly used term and, in the context of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions in question, means a mass of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions after essentially all water or any other liquid has been removed from it.

The smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to the present invention contains at least 20 wt.%, At least 25 wt.%, At least 30 wt.%, At least 35 wt.%, At least 40% wt., at least 50% wt. water or at least 55% wt. water in relation to the total mass of the final mixture and at least 1% wt. lactic acid or its salt in relation to the dry weight of the final mixture.

The mixture according to the present invention may contain no more than 70% wt. water or not more than 65% wt., or not more than 60% wt. water in relation to the total mass of the final mixture.

A particular problem for obtaining semi-dry and moist smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions, such as products containing about 30% wt. water or more relative to the total weight of the final composition, is the creation of a mixture in which the development of microorganisms is prevented. Water activity is one known important factor in influencing the development of microorganisms (LB Rockla nd et al., Water activity: Theory and application to food , IFT Basic Symposium Series. Marcel Dekker Inc. ISBN 0-8247-7759-X; and GLRobert-son, Food Packaging. Principles and Practise. Marcel Dekker Inc. ISBN 0-8247-0175-5).

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an additive used in wet smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions for oral use as a preservative to prevent the development of microorganisms, usually with a decrease in water activity. Using sodium chloride can give the mixture a salty taste.

The natural presence of NaCl in tobacco, such as a tobacco plate and stem, is below 1% wt., Usually below 0.5% wt. in relation to the dry mass of tobacco.

The amount of NaCl required to achieve a bactericidal effect depends on the water content of the smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition.

Smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions containing less than 20% wt. water in relation to the total mass of the final mixture, do not require any introduction of NaCl in order to prevent the development of microorganisms. However, commercially available smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions for oral use that contain more than 20% by weight. water in relation to the total weight of the final mixture, usually contain at least 4% wt. NaCl in relation to the dry weight of the final mixture, while mixtures containing more than 50% wt. water in relation to the total mass of the final mixture, usually contain more than 8% wt. NaCl in relation to the dry weight of the final mixture. The indicated amounts of NaCl are usually required to achieve a bactericidal effect. However, a mixture containing this amount of NaCl may feel too salty by many consumers.

By reducing the NaCl content in a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use, a less salty taste can be obtained, but it can also be expected that the water activity (a _W ) will increase, as well as the likelihood of microorganisms to develop compared to the corresponding mixture having the same water content, but higher NaCl content. When a _W is more than 0.90 for a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use, as in a mixture with a relatively high water content, for example, at least 30% by weight. water in relation to the total mass of the final mixture, such as Swedish snus, the risk of developing microorganisms in the product increases. The value of a _W 0.92 usually gives a strong development of microorganisms.

Compositions according to the present invention show a slight or very limited development of microorganisms, even though these mixtures may have increased water activity, such as a _W 0.92.

An advantage of lactic acid or its salt is that it has a neutral taste in addition to its ability to limit the development of microorganisms in the mixture of the present invention.

The amount of lactic acid or its salt required in a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use to provide the desired water activity and bactericidal effect depends on the water content of the mixture and, if NaCl is introduced, the amount of NaCl.

Smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to the present invention contains at least 1% wt. lactic acid or its salt, at least 2 wt.%, at least 3 wt.%, at least 4 wt.%, at least 5 wt.%, at least 6 wt.%, at least 7 % wt., at least 10% wt., at least 12% wt., at least 15% wt. or at least 20% wt. in relation to the dry weight of the final mixture. The natural presence of lactic acid or its salt in a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use is usually less than 1% by weight. or even less than 0.5% wt.

The composition according to the present invention may contain no more than 30% wt. lactic acid or its salt, not more than 25% wt. or not more than 20% wt. in relation to the dry weight of the final mixture.

Lactic acid salts that are suitable in the mixture of the present invention may be alkali metal lactate salts such as sodium lactate or potassium lactate and, more specifically, sodium lactate.

An advantage of a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to the present invention is that by introducing lactic acid or its salt, the amount of NaCl in the mixture can be reduced without the risk of increased development of microorganisms. Compositions according to the present invention therefore can be provided with a less salty taste compared with the corresponding mixtures without lactic acid or its salt, while the development of microorganisms is maintained at the same level.

Smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition according to the present invention may contain less than 8% wt. NaCl, less than 4% wt. NaCl or less than 1% wt. NaCl in relation to the dry weight of the final mixture.

By using lactic acid or its salt in a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition according to the present invention, a bactericidal effect can be achieved even without the introduction of NaCl.

The greater the amount of water and the lower the amount of NaCl in a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use, the greater the amount of lactic acid may be required to avoid the development of microorganisms.

It has been reported that lactic acid and its salts reduce the development of microorganisms at a pH as low as 7.25 or lower (De Wit JC et al., 1990, Food Microbiol.? 7: 113-120; and Shelef LA, 1994, J , Food Prof. 57: 445-450). Other reports indicate that the bactericidal effect tends to increase at lower pH (Houtsma, 1996, Ph.D. thesis, Agricultural University Wageningen). Under acidic conditions, lactic acid does not dissociate and can diffuse into the microbiological cell, in which it then has a bactericidal effect.

The pH value of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions for oral use is usually higher than pH 7.5, usually higher than pH 8. Therefore, the composition according to the present invention is not expected to show a slight development of microorganisms, as shown in table 1 and figure 2.

The smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to the present invention may have a pH of at least 7.5 or at least 8. The pH value cannot be higher than 9.8 or, preferably, higher than 9.5. The mixture preferably has a pH in the range from 7.5 to 9.6 or in the range from 8 to 9.5.

Another advantage of using lactic acid or its salt in the smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition of the present invention is that they can be used in effective amounts without the use of regulatory restrictions. Other preservatives, such as salts of sorbic and propionic acids, may be subject to regulatory restrictions in some cases and may not provide any bactericidal effect even when using their maximum permissible concentration according to the specified regulatory restrictions. In the case of the composition according to the present invention, the amount of preservatives, such as sorbates, for example potassium sorbate, propionates, for example sodium propionate, or benzoic acid or its salts, can be completely eliminated or reduced without increasing the risk of microorganisms. Thus, smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions for oral use according to the present invention may not contain preservatives selected from the group consisting of sorbates, propionates and benzoic acid and its salts.

Another advantage of using lactic acid or its salt in the smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition of the present invention is that they change the consistency of the composition so that it becomes more cohesive than a mixture with the same water content, but without lactic acid or its salt. Thus, the water content of the composition according to the present invention can be reduced while maintaining the same consistency as felt by the consumer. Reduced water content has the additional advantage that it can also contribute to the reduced development of microorganisms, as water activity is reduced.

A more cohesive texture of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff compositions for oral administration with reduced water content may also be an advantage in the manufacturing process, so that they can be packaged in bags at a lower water content than is usually possible. A method for producing sachets of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use is described in US Pat. No. 6,135120.

In addition, due to the increased cohesive texture, when lactic acid or its salt is introduced into the smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to the present invention, it is easier to form the mixture into a portion bag or snuff compared to the corresponding oral mixture with the same water content, but without the introduction of lactic acid or its salt.

The oral mixture of the present invention is preferably a smokeless tobacco mixture, such as snus.

The smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to the present invention can be provided in the form of sachets or, as is in dispersed form, in cans or boxes.

A general description of snus is provided, for example, in the ESTOC - European Smokeless Tobacco Coucil and the GothiaTek standard for snus quality. Methods for preparing a wet snuff composition of American type and chewing tobacco are described, for example, in Wahiberg I., Ringbereger T., (1999), Smokeless Tobacco / D Tobacco: Production, Chemistry and Technology , (published by DLDavis & MT Nielsen), pp. 452-460. World Agriculture Series, Blacwell Science Ltd.

A smokeless composition according to the present invention can be obtained in accordance with the GothiaTek standard.

A second aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein the method comprises:

a) the provision of tobacco material or non-tobacco plant fiber material;

b) processing the material provided for in step a) and, optionally, other ingredients; and

c) optionally packaging the smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition either in sachets or as is in jars or boxes,

in which lactic acid or its salt is introduced at one or more of the following stages:

i) to stage b),

ii) in the process of step b) and / or

iii) after step b).

The processing of the material in step b) may comprise a heat treatment, such as pasteurization.

In the method according to the present invention, lactic acid or a salt thereof may be added before step b), during step b) or after step b).

Before processing the tobacco material or non-tobacco plant fiber material in step b), water and possible additional additives may be added. During processing of the tobacco material or non-tobacco plant fiber material in step b), water, flavors, sodium carbonate, and optional additives may be added.

Examples

Example 1

3000 g snus is obtained in accordance with a modified version of the GothiaTek standard. The method was modified by omitting the introduction of sodium chloride before heat treatment. The mixture of crushed tobacco and water is heat treated at a temperature of 100 ° C for 2 hours and then, when the temperature drops from 100 to 70 ° C for 8 hours, the water content is about 42% wt. of the total mass of the final mixture. After heat treatment, the mixture is cooled to about 20 ° C and sodium carbonate is introduced to adjust the pH of the mixture to an alkaline value of about 8.3, and water is introduced to adjust the water content to about 50 wt%. in relation to the total mass of the final mixture. The resulting basic "snus" has a water content of 51.2% wt. and a pH value of 8.33. A bacterial culture known as the snus breeding medium is introduced into the base snus. This results in a bacterial count in the base snus of about lg 4.5 colony forming unit / g (CFU / g) of snus.

From the indicated “snus”, 250 g of a comparative sample (9% NaCl) are obtained with the introduction of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride to obtain a “snus” with a water content of about 57% wt. in relation to the total mass of the final mixture and the content of 9% wt. NaCl in relation to the dry weight of the mixture. This corresponds to the concentration of NaCl and the water content commonly used in Swedish snus. In addition, 250 g of the second comparative sample (Ref 0%) are obtained from the same basic “snus” with the introduction of water to obtain a “snus” with a water content of approximately 57%, but without the content of NaCl added. In addition, three 250 g of a snus sample are obtained from the same basic snus with the introduction of aqueous solutions of sodium lactate (NaL) to produce snus with a water content of approximately 57% by weight. in relation to the total mass of the final mixture and with a content of 7.12% wt. and 16% wt. sodium lactate relative to the dry weight of the mixture. Samples are called NaL 7%, NaL 12% and NaL 16%, respectively.

All samples were analyzed to determine pH, water content, water activity (a _W ) and bacterial numbers before the samples were packaged and stored. The pH and water activity values of each sample are presented in Table 1. The samples are then packed in sealed plastic bags and transferred to a controlled climate (22 ° C, 60% relative humidity), where they are stored for 3 weeks (504 hours). After 1, 2, and 3 weeks (168 h, 336 h, and 504 h, respectively) of storage, samples were analyzed to determine the pH and number of bacteria. The pH value for all samples remains above 7.7. The results of determining the number of bacteria presented in figure 2 clearly show the bacteriostatic effect of introducing sodium lactate into the "snus" in all three samples. Typically, Swedish snus products require water activity of not more than 0.90 with a guarantee that the development of microorganisms does not take place. Samples of NaL 7% and NaL 12% have a water activity of 0.92, as shown in table 1, which suggests a strong development of microorganisms, but unexpectedly these samples show a static development of microorganisms, as shown in figure 2. This indicates a bactericidal effect in addition to a _W -decreasing effect.

Claims (21)

1. Smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use, containing at least 20 wt.% Water relative to the total weight of the final mixture, in which the composition contains at least 1 wt.% Lactic acid or its salt relative to the dry weight final composition. 2. The composition according to p. 1, which contains at least 30 wt.% Water in relation to the total weight of the final composition. 3. The composition according to claim 1, which contains less than 4 wt.% NaCl in relation to the dry weight of the final composition. 4. The composition according to claim 3, which contains less than 1 wt.% NaCl in relation to the dry weight of the final composition. 5. The composition according to p. 1, which contains at least 6 wt.% Lactic acid or its salt relative to the dry weight of the final composition. 6. The composition according to p. 5, which contains at least 10 wt.% Lactic acid or its salt relative to the dry weight of the final composition. 7. The composition according to claim 1, in which the lactic acid or its salt is sodium lactate. 8. The composition according to p. 1, which has a pH of at least 7.5 and less than 9.8. 9. The composition according to p. 1, which is a smokeless tobacco composition for oral use. 10. The composition of claim 9, which is a snus composition. 11. The composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, which does not contain preservatives selected from the group consisting of sorbates, propionates and benzoic acid or its salts. 12. A method of obtaining a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition for oral use according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, which includes: a) the provision of tobacco or non-tobacco plant material; b) processing the material provided for in step a) and, optionally, other ingredients and c) optionally, packaging the smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition either in sachets or as is in jars or boxes, in which lactic acid or its salt is introduced at one or more of the following stages: i) before stage b), ii) in the process of step b) and / or iii) after step b). 13. The use of smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11 to obtain portioned packets containing the specified composition. 14. A bag that contains a smokeless tobacco or non-tobacco snuff composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11.

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