Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Smokeless Tobacco Composition
The present invention relates to a smokeless tobacco composition, and to a
process
for producing the smokeless tobacco composition.
Background
Tobacco fermentation is basically a process that starts spontaneously soon
after the
tobacco is harvested. As tobacco fermentation was early on found to enhance
certain
properties of the tobacco, such as smell and taste, this spontaneous process
is fre-
quently consciously stimulated in various industrial processes in the course
of tobac-
co production.
However, tobacco fermentation ¨ spontaneous as well as industrially stimulated
¨ al-
so has the effect of generating undesired byproducts, such as for instance
tobacco-
specific nitrosamines, abbreviated TSNA.
US20130276801 describes chemical pulping of tobacco and bleaching the tobacco
pulp to produce a dissolving grade pulp. Bleaching the tobacco pulp may
include
chlorination of the tobacco pulp with a chlorine dioxide solution, and caustic
extrac-
tion of the tobacco pulp with a second strong base. Carbohydrate content is
not sug-
gested to be reduced or limited, but on the contrary to be protected during
the treat-
ments. Fermentation is not discussed in the document.
It would be desirable to be able to provide an improved smokeless tobacco
composi-
tion. For example, it would be desirable to provide a smokeless tobacco
composition
that can easily be provided with such desirable properties as is associated
with to-
bacco fermentation, such as enhanced smell and taste, while not being burdened
by
the undesired side effects of tobacco fermentation. It would also be desirable
to pro-
vide a smokeless tobacco composition having improved physical properties to en-
hance the user's experience.
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Summary of the invention
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a
smoke-
less tobacco composition comprising bleached tobacco material and guar gum.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a
process
for the production of a smokeless tobacco composition as defined herein, the
pro-
cess comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the bleached tobacco material; and
(b) contacting the bleached tobacco material with guar gum to produce the
smokeless tobacco composition.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein,there is provided a smoke-
less tobacco composition obtained or obtainable by the process comprising the
steps
of:
(a) providing the bleached tobacco material; and
(b) contacting the bleached tobacco material with guar gum to produce the
smokeless tobacco composition.
For ease of reference, these and further aspects of the present invention are
now
discussed under appropriate section headings. However, the teachings under
each
section are not necessarily limited to each particular section.
Detailed Description
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular
configurations,
process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process
steps,
and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the
terminology
employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only
and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention
will be lim-
ited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the claims, the
singular forms
"a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates other-
wise.
In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the term "about" modifying the
quantity
of an ingredient in the tobacco material or tobacco compositions of the
invention or
employed in the methods of the invention refers to variation in the numerical
quantity
that can occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handling
proce-
dures used for making concentrates or use solutions in the real world; through
mad-
vertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture,
source, or
purity of the ingredients employed to make the tobacco material or tobacco
composi-
tions, or to carry out the methods; and the like. The term "about" also
encompasses
amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition
resulting
from a particular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term
"about", the
claims include equivalents to the quantities.
In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the term "bleached" refers to
an object,
such as for instance a tobacco material, such as a tobacco raw material, whose
visi-
ble color has been reduced by any known method for this purpose, such as
washing
with one or more solvents, or treatment with one or more bleaching agents, or
any
combination thereof.
In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the term "fermentable
carbohydrates"
refers to carbohydrates that can be metabolically broken down in and by the
human
.. body. For example, the term "fermentable carbohydrate" may encompass
starch, glu-
cose, fructose and sucrose.
In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the term "oral" in connection
to a prod-
uct refers to a product which, in normal use, is suited to be placed somewhere
in the
oral cavity of the user, for example under the lips, in the same way as moist
snuff
products are generally used.
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The ranges provided herein provide preferred amounts of each of the
components.
Each of these ranges may be taken alone or combined with one or more other com-
ponent ranges to provide a preferred aspect of the invention.
Composition
As described herein, the smokeless tobacco composition comprises bleached
tobac-
co material and guar gum.
In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is a bleached tobacco raw
ma-
terial.
In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of
from about 0.001% to about 15% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition.
In
some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of
from
about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In
some
embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of from
about
0.01% to about 7.5% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some em-
bodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of from about
0.05% to about 5% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some em-
bodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of from about
0.05% to about 2.5% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some em-
bodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of from about
0.05% to about 2% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some em-
bodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of from about
0.1% to about 1% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some embod-
iments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of from about
0.1% to
about 0.5% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition.
In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is present in an amount of
from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition.
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In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is as described in WO
2015/150506, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material comprises less than about 4
weight-%, such as less than about 2 weight-%, such as less than about 1 weight-
%,
of fermentable carbohydrates, calculated on the dry total weight of the
bleached to-
bacco material.
In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material has an ISO brightness that
is
not less than about 60, such as not less than about 70, such as not less than
about
80, as measured according to ISO 2470:1999.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco
composi-
tion that comprises a tobacco material (such as a tobacco raw material) that
is sub-
stantially free from undesired substances, as described in WO 2015/150506.
In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is particulate. As used
herein,
the term "particulate" means that the average length to width ratio of
particles of the
material is less than 2:1, such as less than 1.5:1, such as about 1:1. In some
em-
bodiments the particles of the bleached tobacco material are substantially
spherical.
In some embodiments, the bleached tobacco material is granular.
In some embodiments, at least 50% by weight of the bleached tobacco particles
have
a particle size as measured by sieve analysis of no greater than about 1000
pm,
such as no greater than about 500 pm, such as no greater than about 400 pm,
such
as no greater than about 350 pm, such as no greater than about 300 pm. In some
embodiments, at least 60% by weight of the bleached tobacco particles have a
parti-
cle size as measured by sieve analysis of no greater than about 1000 pm, such
as no
greater than about 500 pm, such as no greater than about 400 pm, such as no
great-
er than about 350 pm, such as no greater than about 300 pm. In some
embodiments,
at least 70% by weight of the bleached tobacco particles have a particle size
as
measured by sieve analysis of no greater than about 1000 pm, such as no
greater
than about 500 pm, such as no greater than about 400 pm, such as no greater
than
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about 350 pm, such as no greater than about 300 pm. In some embodiments, at
least
80% by weight of the bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as
measured by
sieve analysis of no greater than about 1000 pm, such as no greater than about
500
pm, such as no greater than about 400 pm, such as no greater than about 350
pm,
such as no greater than about 300 pm. In some embodiments, at least 90% by
weight of the bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by
sieve
analysis of no greater than about 1000 pm, such as no greater than about 500
pm,
such as no greater than about 400 pm, such as no greater than about 350 pm,
such
as no greater than about 300 pm. In some embodiments, at least 95% by weight
of
.. the bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by sieve
analysis of
no greater than about 1000 pm, such as no greater than about 500 pm, such as
no
greater than about 400 pm, such as no greater than about 350 pm , such as no
greater than about 300 pm. In some embodiments, at least 99% by weight of the
bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by sieve analysis
of no
greater than about 1000 pm, such as no greater than about 500 pm, such as no
greater than about 400 pm, such as no greater than about 350 pm, such as no
great-
er than about 300 pm. In some embodiments, approximately 100% by weight of the
bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by sieve analysis
of no
greater than about 1000 pm, such as no greater than about 500 pm, such as no
greater than about 400 pm, such as no greater than about 350 pm, such as no
great-
er than about 300 pm.
In some embodiments, at least 50% by weight, such as at least 60% by weight,
such
as at least 70% by weight, such as at least 80% by weight, such as at least
90% by
.. weight, such as at least 95% by weight, such as at least 99% by weight of
the
bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by sieve analysis
of
from about 0.01 pm to about 1000 pm, such as from about 0.05 pm to about 750
pm,
such as from about 0.1 pm to about 500 pm, such as from about 0.25 pm to about
500 pm. In some embodiments, at least 50% by weight, such as at least 60% by
.. weight, such as at least 70% by weight, such as at least 80% by weight,
such as at
least 90% by weight, such as at least 95% by weight, such as at least 99% by
weight
of the bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by sieve
analysis
of from about 10 pm to about 400 pm, such as from about 50 pm to about 350 pm,
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such as from about 100 pm to about 350 pm, such as from about 200 pm to about
300 pm.
In some embodiments, at least 70% of the bleached tobacco particles have a
particle
size as measured by sieve analysis of from about 0.01 pm to about 1000 pm,
such
as from about 10 pm to about 500 pm, such as from about 100 pm to about 350
pm,
such as from about 200 pm to about 350 pm. In some embodiments, at least 90%
of
the bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by sieve
analysis of
from about 0.01 pm to about 1000 pm, such as from about 10 pm to about 500 pm,
such as from about 100 pm to about 350 pm, such as from about 200 pm to about
350 pm. In some embodiments, at least 95% of the bleached tobacco particles
have
a particle size as measured by sieve analysis of from about 0.01 pm to about
1000
pm, such as from about 10 pm to about 500 pm, such as from about 100 pm to
about
350 pm, such as from about 200 pm to about 350 pm. In some embodiments, at
least
99% of the bleached tobacco particles have a particle size as measured by
sieve
analysis of from about 0.01 pm to about 1000 pm, such as from about 10 pm to
about 500 pm, such as from about 100 pm to about 350 pm, such as from about
200
pm to about 350 pm.
The particle size of the bleached tobacco material may be measured by sieve
analy-
sis. As the skilled person will readily appreciate, sieve analysis (otherwise
known as
a gradation test) is a method used to measure the particle size distribution
of a par-
ticulate material. Typically, sieve analysis involves a nested column of
sieves which
comprise screens, preferably in the form of wire mesh cloths. A pre-weighed
sample
may be introduced into the top or uppermost sieve in the column, which has the
larg-
est screen openings or mesh size (i.e. the largest pore diameter of the
sieve). Each
lower sieve in the column has progressively smaller screen openings or mesh
sizes
than the sieve above. Typically, at the base of the column of sieves is a
receiver por-
tion to collect any particles having a particle size smaller than the screen
opening
size or mesh size of the bottom or lowermost sieve in the column (which has
the
smallest screen opening or mesh size).
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In some embodiments, the column of sieves may be placed on or in a mechanical
agitator. The agitator causes the vibration of each of the sieves in the
column. The
mechanical agitator may be activated for a pre-determined period of time in
order to
ensure that all particles are collected in the correct sieve. In some
embodiments, the
column of sieves is agitated for a period of time from 0.5 minutes to 10
minutes, such
as from 1 minute to 10 minutes, such as from 1 minute to 5 minutes, such as
for ap-
proximately 3 minutes.
Once the agitation of the sieves in the column is complete, the material
collected on
each sieve is weighed. The weight of each sample on each sieve may then be
divid-
ed by the total weight in order to obtain a percentage of the mass retained on
each
sieve.
As the skilled person will readily appreciate, the screen opening sizes or
mesh sizes
for each sieve in the column used for sieve analysis may be selected based on
the
granularity or known maximum/minimum particle sizes of the sample to be
analysed.
In some embodiments, a column of sieves may be used for sieve analysis,
wherein
the column comprises from 2 to 20 sieves, such as from 5 to 15 sieves. In some
em-
bodiments, a column of sieves may be used for sieve analysis, wherein the
column
comprises 10 sieves. In some embodiments, the largest screen opening or mesh
sizes of the sieves used for sieve analysis may be 1000 pm, such as 500 pm,
such
as 400 pm, such as 300 pm.
In some embodiments, the guar gum is present in an amount of from about 0.01%
to
about 20% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some embodiments,
the guar gum is present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 15% by weight
of
the smokeless tobacco composition. In some embodiments, the guar gum is
present
in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the smokeless
tobacco
composition. In some embodiments, the guar gum is present in an amount of from
about 1% to about 10% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some
embodiments, the guar gum is present in an amount of from about 2% to about 8%
by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some embodiments, the guar
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gum is present in an amount of from about 2.5% to about 7.5% by weight of the
smokeless tobacco composition. In some embodiments, the guar gum is present in
an amount of from about 3% to about 7% by weight of the smokeless tobacco com-
position. In some embodiments, the guar gum is present in an amount of from
about
4% to about 6% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition.
It has been surprisingly found by the present inventors that the inclusion of
guar gum
with a bleached tobacco material provides a smokeless tobacco composition
which is
mouldable. As used herein, the term "mouldable" means that the composition can
be
pushed and formed into different shapes by the user's hands, without requiring
any
additional mechanical means and without cracking and/or crumbling. In
particular, a
smokeless tobacco composition may be provided which has a soft dough-like
texture,
and/or which can be moulded by the user into any desired shape. This
mouldability
was not previously achieved by smokeless tobacco compositions comprising
bleached tobacco material, but which did not include guar gum. It was also
surpris-
ingly found by the present inventors that hydrocolloids other than guar gum
did not
provide the composition with the desired mouldability.
In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition may be provided in the
form of a loose powder. However, due to the inclusion of the guar gum, it was
surpisingly found by the present inventors that it was possible for the user
to take a
'pinch' of the powder and press it together using their hands so as to form a
soft
dough-like portion, which can be moulded into different shapes. The
composition
therefore provides the user with an enhanced experience and desirable sensory
ex-
perience upon picking up the product to place into the oral/nasal cavity.
One advantage of the smokeless tobacco composition comprising the bleached to-
bacco material as defined herein is that it provides for tobacco products that
does not
discolour the user's fingers, and ¨ in the case of oral smokeless tobacco
products ¨
does not discolour the user's teeth.
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In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition is nasal snuff, i.e.
snuff
products suited for nasal administration. Therefore, in some embodiments,
there is
provided a nasal snuff which comprises bleached tobacco material and guar gum.
In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition is an oral smokeless to-
bacco composition (i.e. one which is suitable for placing into the mouth of
the user).
Therefore, in some embodiments, there is provided an oral smokeless tobacco
com-
position comprising bleached tobacco material and guar gum. The oral smokeless
tobacco composition may be or comprise, but is not limited to, moist snuff
such as
snus, chewing tobacco, sucking tobacco (commonly referred to as "lutsch-
tabak"),
oral dry snuff, or hard snuff.
In some embodiments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition comprises snus.
The
snus may be Swedish-style snuff. Snus is a moist powder tobacco product
originating
from a variant of dry snuff. Snus is typically used by placing it under the
upper lip for
extended periods of time.
In some embodiments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition is chewing tobacco
comprising a gum base. The gum base may be chosen among ¨ but is not limited
to -
commercial chewing gum bases, bubble gum bases, and natural gum base materi-
als.
In some embodiments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition is sucking
tobacco.
Therefore, in some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition is a sucking
tobacco composition that comprises bleached tobacco material and guar gum.
In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition may comprise salt (sodi-
um chloride) and/or other flavourants.
In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition (such as an oral smoke-
less tobacco composition) further comprises one or more additives selected
from the
group consisting of sodium chloride, xylitol, microcrystalline cellulose,
flavouring
agents, sodium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the
smoke-
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less tobacco composition further comprises sodium chloride. In some
embodiments,
the smokeless tobacco composition further comprises flavouring agents. In some
embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition further comprises xylitol. In
some
embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition further comprises sodium bicar-
bonate. In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition further compris-
es microcrystalline cellulose.
The oral smokeless tobacco composition may comprise additives chosen among -
but not limited to - one or more substances belonging to any of the following
catego-
ries, or combinations thereof: API (active pharmaceutical substances), food
additives,
natural or synthetic nutrients, flavoring substances, natural medicaments or
naturally
occurring substances that can have an effect on humans. Examples of such sub-
stances are green tea, white tea, caffeine, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E,
bi-
operin, Q10, selenium, glutathione, liponic acid, folic acid, ginseng, pollen
extract, an-
tioxidants, minerals, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, Russian root, and
rose root.
In some embodiments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition further comprises
nicotine in addition to the nicotine naturally present in the bleached tobacco
material.
In some embodiments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition contains an
alginate
composition of the kind, and in the way described in WO 2010/114445, the
contents
of which is hereby incorporated by reference. More specifically, the oral
smokeless
tobacco composition according to this embodiment contains an alginate
composition,
distributed in the product and comprising at least water, alginate and an
added sub-
stance intended to be released from the product when said product is used,
said
composition containing an alginate matrix that retains at least a major
proportion of
the added substance so long as the matrix is intact, and the alginate matrix
being
formed so as to disintegrate and/or dissolve in the chemical and physical
environ-
ment that exists in a user's mouth. In some embodiments, the alginate contains
an
alginate salt of monovalent cations. In some embodiments, the alginate is
soluble in
cold water.
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The oral smokeless tobacco composition may be provided in baked or compressed
form, from which portions may be punched or pressed in portions, such as
lozenges
or tablets.
In some embodiments, the smokeless oral tobacco product can be provided to the
user in a portioned format. In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composi-
tion is surrounded by a pouch. For example, moist snuff may be prepared by
sealing
the tobacco material in a permeable pouch.
A pouch holds the tobacco material in place, while at the same time allowing
sub-
stances such as flavours and nicotine to diffuse through the pouch and into
the
mouth of the user for absorption through the user's mucous membranes.
In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition can be provided to the
user in a non-portioned format. In one embodiment, the smokeless tobacco compo-
sition is packaged in loose form in a container, such as a can, sachet or tin.
In some embodiments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition may be provided in
loose form or in the form of portion-size sachets. In some embodiments, the
oral
smokeless tobacco composition is provided as a loose powder. In some embodi-
ments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition is provided as as a powder that
is
contained in a pouch. Therefore, in some embodiments, there is provided a
pouched
oral smokeless tobacco composition comprising bleached tobacco material and
guar
gum.
In some embodiments, the oral smokeless tobacco composition is in the form of
a
powder, either provided as a loose powder or in pouches. The oral smokeless
tobac-
co composition may be particulate. In some embodiments, at least 50% of the
parti-
cles of oral smokeless tobacco composition have a particle size of less than
about
2000 pm, such as from about 0.01 pm to about 1000 pm, such as from about 0.1
to
about 500 pm, such as from about 1 to about 400 pm, such as from about 10 pm
to
about 350 pm, such as from about 100 pm to about 350 pm, such as from about
200
pm to about 300 pm.
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As a further alternative the oral smokeless tobacco composition may have a
film-like
form.
The smokeless tobacco composition may have a pH of about 7-12, such as about 8-
12, such as about 8-9.
In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition has a water content of
from about 5% to about 60%, such as from about 20% to about 60%, such as from
about 40 to about 55%, such as from about 45% to about 55%, such as from about
45% to about 50% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition. In some embod-
iments, the smokeless tobacco composition has a water content of from about
40%
to about 60% by weight of the smokeless tobacco composition.
Also described herein is a smokeless product, which comprises non-tobacco
plant
material and guar gum, but does not comprise tobacco. In other words,
described
herein is a smokeless non-tobacco product comprising non-tobacco plant
material
and guar gum. The non-tobacco plant material may be selected from the group
con-
sisting of maize, oat, tomato, barley, rye, sugar beet, buck wheat, potato,
cellulose,
cellulose derivatives, apple, cocoa, bamboo, citrus, and mixtures thereof. In
some
embodiments, the non-tobacco plant material is or comprises cellulose,
microcrystal-
line cellulose, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the non-tobacco
plant ma-
terial is or comprises microcrystalline cellulose. In some embodiments, the
smoke-
less non-tobacco product comprises nicotine. Therefore, in some embodiments,
the
smokeless non-tobacco product comprises non-tobacco plant material, guar gum
and
nicotine. The smokeless non-tobacco product may comprise each of the features
as
described hereinabove, with the exception that said product does not comprise
the
bleached tobacco material as described herein.
Process
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a process
for the
production of a smokeless tobacco composition comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing bleached tobacco material; and
(b) contacting the bleached tobacco material with guar gum to produce the
smokeless tobacco composition.
In some embodiments, the process is for the production of the smokeless
tobacco
composition as described hereinabove.
In some embodiments, the step (a) of providing the bleached tobacco material
com-
prises the steps of:
(i) treating unbleached tobacco material at an acidic pH and at a temperature
range
of from about 70 C to about 180 C with an aqueous solution of comprising
sulfite ion;
(ii) defibrating the tobacco material from step (ii);
and
(iii) treating the defibrated tobacco material from step (ii) with an
effective amount of a
bleaching agent at a temperature range of from about 60 C to about 90 C.
The bleaching agent may be, but is not limited to, chlorine dioxide, sodium
hypo-
chlorite, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, enzymes, oxygen, or a combination thereof.
The bleaching agent may also be constituted by, or at least involve the use of
ultra-
sound.
In some embodiments, the step (a) of providing the bleached tobacco material
com-
prises steps as described in WO 2015/150506, the entire contents of which are
in-
corporated herein by reference.
In some embodiments, the step (a) of providing the bleached tobacco material
com-
prises the steps of:
(i) mechanically defibrating uncooked tobacco material to produce a defibrated
tobacco material; and
(ii) treating the defibrated tobacco material from step (i) with at least one
bleach-
ing agent to product a bleached tobacco material.
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In some embodiments, the step (a) of providing the bleached tobacco material
com-
prises steps as described in WO 2018/083114, the entire contents of which are
in-
corporated herein by reference.
In some embodiments, the process further comprises contacting the bleached
tobac-
co material and/or the guar gum with one or more additives selected from the
group
consisting of sodium chloride, xylitol, microcrystalline cellulose, flavouring
agents,
sodium bicarbonate, API (active pharmaceutical substances), nicotine, food
addi-
tives, natural or synthetic nutrients, natural medicaments or naturally
occurring sub-
stances that can have an effect on humans and mixtures thereof. In some embodi-
ments, the process comprises the step (a-i) of contacting the bleached tobacco
mate-
rial with one or more additives before and/or during and/or after contacting
the
bleached tobacco material with guar gum. In some embodiments, the process com-
prises the step (a-i) of contacting the bleached tobacco material with one or
more
additives before contacting the bleached tobacco material with guar gum. In
some
embodiments, the process comprises the step (a-i) of contacting the bleached
tobac-
co material with one or more additives during contacting the bleached tobacco
mate-
rial with guar gum. In some embodiments, the process comprises the step (a-i)
of
contacting the bleached tobacco material with one or more additives after
contacting
the bleached tobacco material with guar gum.
In some embodiments, the process comprises the step (a-i) of contacting the
bleached tobacco material with one or more additives selected from the group
con-
sisting of sodium chloride, microcrystalline cellulose, and mixtures thereof
during the
step (b) of contacting the bleached tobacco material with guar gum. In some
embod-
iments, the process comprises the step (a-i) of contacting the bleached
tobacco ma-
terial with one or more additives selected from the group consisting of sodium
bicar-
bonate, flavouring agents, nicotine, and mixtures thereof after the step (b)
of contact-
ing the bleached tobacco material with guar gum.
In some embodiments, the process further comprises the step (a-ii) of
contacting the
bleached tobacco material with water. In some embodiments, the process further
comprises the step (a-ii) of contacting the bleached tobacco material with
water be-
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fore and/or during and/or after the step (b) of contacting the bleached
tobacco mate-
rial with guar gum. In some embodiments, the process comprises the step (a-ii)
of
contacting the bleached tobacco material with water before the step (b) of
contacting
the bleached tobacco material with guar gum. In some embodiments, the process
comprises the step (a-ii) of contacting the bleached tobacco material with
water dur-
ing the step (b) of contacting the bleached tobacco material with guar gum. In
some
embodiments, the process comprises the step (a-ii) of contacting the bleached
to-
bacco material with water after the step (b) of contacting the bleached
tobacco mate-
rial with guar gum.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a smokeless tobacco composition
obtained
or obtainable by the inventive process. In some embodiments, the invention
provides
a smokeless tobacco composition obtained or obtainable by the process
described
hereinabove, wherein the smokeless tobacco composition comprises bleached to-
bacco material and guar gum. In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco com-
position comprises bleached tobacco material that comprises less than about 4
weight-% fermentable carbohydrates, calculated on the dry total weight of the
bleached tobacco material.
In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco composition is as described in any
one of the embodiments described above.
The invention will now be illustrated in closer detail in the following non-
limiting ex-
amples.
Examples
Example 1
Digestion
Step 1
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Unbleached tobacco raw material was cooked with water in a digesting vessel at
120 C for 30 minutes, after which the liquid was drawn off, and the material
was
flushed with water.
Step 2
Cooking liquor, with pH adjusted to 4.5 by S02, was added to the digesting
vessel.
The cooking liquor contained mainly sodium bisulfite, but also partly sodium
sulfite.
The cooking was performed at 165 C for 40 minutes, after which the digesting
vessel
was degassed. Water was added and circulated at 80 C. The digesting vessel was
emptied and the material was flushed.
Screening
The digested material was taken to a defibrator, in which the fibres were
freed by
beating.
.. The obtained fiber suspension was led to a screen with 0.25 mm slots to
screen
away undigested fibres. The remaining fibres were brought to a centrifuge in
which
the material, pulp, was dewatered to dry content of about 30%.
Bleaching
The bleaching was carried out in a plastic vessel heated by a water bath.
Step 1
The pulp was treated at 70 C for 30 minutes with C102 in an amount of 38
kg/ton of
pulp, at a pulp concentration of 10%.
Step 2
The pulp was treated at 80 C for 120 minutes with 0102 in an amount of 38
kg/ton of
pulp, at a pulp concentration of 10%.
.. Step 3
The pulp was treated at 80 C for 120 minutes with C102 in an amount of 19
kg/ton of
pulp, at a pulp concentration of 10%.
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The pulp was washed after each step according to the following:
Bleaching liquor was drawn off in a centrifuge; the pulp was diluted with
water and
slurried by means of a stirrer; and the pulp was then washed in the centrifuge
with 1
liter of water per 10 grams of pulp.
Analysis
The resulting pulp was analyzed at Eurofins Food & Agro Testing Norway AS
(Skansen), in Trondheim, Norway, with respect to the content of starches and
simple
sugars, which proved to be <1.0%.
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Food & Agro Testing Sweden AB,
Lidkoping,
Sweden, with resepct to the content of sucrose, which proved to be <0.04 g/100
g,
i.e. <0.04%.
Thus, the total content of fermentable carbohydrates was <1.04%.
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Food & Agro Testing Sweden AB with re-
spect to the content of nitrite, which proved to be <1.0 mg/kg.
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Food & Agro Testing Sweden AB with re-
spect to the combined amount of NNN (N-nitrosonornicotine) and NNK ((4-
methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridy1)-1-butanone), which proved to be <0.020 mg/kg.
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Food & Agro Testing Sweden AB with re-
spect to the content of NDMA (N-Nitrosodimethylamine), which proved to be
<0.20
pg/kg.
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Food & Agro Testing Sweden AB with re-
spect to the content of B(a)P (Benzo(a)pyrene) which proved to be <1.0 pg/kg.
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Environment Sweden, LidkOping, Sweden,
with respect to the content of Cd, which proved to be 0.063 mg/kg 20%
(analysis
method/reference NMKL No 161 1998 mod).
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The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Environment Sweden, LidkOping, Sweden,
with respect to the content of Pb, which proved to be 0.63 mg/kg 20%
(analysis
method/reference NMKL No 161 1998 mod).
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Environment Sweden, LidkOping, Sweden,
with respect to the content of As, which proved to be <0.050 mg/kg 35%
(analysis
method/reference NMKL No 161 1998 mod).
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Environment Sweden, Lidkoping, Sweden,
with respect to the content of Ni, which proved to be 0.63 mg/kg 25%
(analysis
method/reference NMKL No 161 1998 mod).
The pulp was also analyzed at Eurofins Environment Sweden, LidkOping, Sweden,
with respect to the content of Cr, which proved to be 1.5 mg/kg 20%
(analysis
method/reference NMKL No 161 1998 mod).
Example 2
A smokeless tobacco composition was prepared using the bleached tobacco
material
of Example 1.
A smokeless tobacco composition having the following formula was prepared:
Ingredient % by weight
Water 55
Microcrystalline cellulose 34
Bleached tobacco material of Example 1 0.5
Sodium chloride 4
Guar gum 4
Nicotine 1
Sodium alginate 0.5
Flavouring agent 0.5
Sodium bicarbonate 0.5
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The composition was prepared using the following method:
1. The bleached tobacco material is mixed with microcrystalline cellulose,
sodium
chloride, sodium alginate and guar gum, and the resulting tobacco mixture in-
troduced into a blender
2. In a separate container, sodium bicarbonate is mixed with water. The
mixture
is stirred until the sodium bicarbonate fully dissolves to form an aqueous
solu-
tion
3. The sodium bicarbonate solution is then added to the tobacco mixture from
step 1, and blended for about 5 minutes
4. In a separate container, flavouring agents and nicotine are mixed together.
These are then added to the tobacco mixture from step 3, and blended for
about 10 minutes
5. The resulting mixture is then removed from the blender and placed into stor-
age containers
It is found that the smokeless tobacco composition could be pushed and pressed
into
different shapes by the user's hands without cracking or crumbling. The
product
when pushed into shape has a soft dough-like texture, and is readily
mouldable.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in under-
standing and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as
a
representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclu-
sive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples,
functions, fea-
tures, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be
considered limi-
tations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations
on
equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and
modifica-
tions may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
Vari-
ous embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist
es-
sentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components,
fea-
tures, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described
herein. In ad-
dition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed,
but which
may be claimed in future.
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