U.S. patent application number 12/600212 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for filter for a tobacco product.
This patent application is currently assigned to BIOHIT OYJ. Invention is credited to Mikko Salaspuro, Ville Salaspuro, Osmo Suovaniemi.
Application Number | 20100206318 12/600212 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38069430 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100206318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salaspuro; Ville ; et
al. |
August 19, 2010 |
FILTER FOR A TOBACCO PRODUCT
Abstract
The invention relates to a cigarette holder-type component,
which is intended to be attached to a tobacco product and can be
adapted to the suction head of the tobacco product so that the
smoke travels through the component during smoking. The component
contains porous material, into which an aqueous solution containing
at least one aldehyde-binding compound has been absorbed to form an
aldehyde-binding filter. In the component that is to be attached to
the tobacco product, the water content of the material is kept at a
level where the aldehyde-binding compounds are capable of reacting
with the aldehydes in the smoke, changing them into a harmless
form.
Inventors: |
Salaspuro; Ville; (Helsinki,
FI) ; Salaspuro; Mikko; (Helsinki, FI) ;
Suovaniemi; Osmo; (Helsinki, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
BIOHIT OYJ
Helsinki
FI
|
Family ID: |
38069430 |
Appl. No.: |
12/600212 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
May 16, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI2008/050276 |
371 Date: |
January 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 13/04 20130101;
A24D 3/14 20130101; A24D 3/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/202 |
International
Class: |
A24F 1/20 20060101
A24F001/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 16, 2007 |
FI |
20070387 |
Claims
1. A component intended to be attached to a tobacco product,
comprising: a cylindrical component (1), which is essentially
hollow inside, the component being adaptable to the suction head
(12) of the tobacco product (2) so that the smoke travels through
the component during smoking, characterized in that the space (13)
inside the component (1) contains porous material (3), into which
an aqueous solution containing at least one aldehyde-binding
compound has been absorbed, or to which at least one
aldehyde-binding compound has been attached, in some other way, to
form an aldehyde-binding filter, and that in the component (1) that
is to be attached to the tobacco product, the water content of the
material (3) at the beginning of smoking is high enough for the
aldehyde-binding compounds to react with the aldehydes in the
smoke.
2. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that, after
making the filtering filter, the water content of the material (3)
can be retained essentially unchanged by means of a moisture
barrier(s) (4, 5, 17), the barriers being openable or
removable.
3. The component according to claim 2, characterized in that the
moisture barrier is made of an airtight material, such as aluminium
foil.
4. The component according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that
the moisture barrier (4, 5, 17) partly or fully covers the
component (1).
5. The component according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the porous material is cellulose.
6. The component according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the water content of filter material
contained in the component (1) is 0.1-10 .mu.l/mg of filter
material.
7. The component according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the amount of aldehyde-binding compound in
the filter material contained in the component (1) is 0.5-100
mg.
8. The component according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the component (1) contains a container (19),
inside of which the filtering material has been packed.
9. The component according to claim 8, characterized in that the
container (19) can be included inside the component (1).
10. The component according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that
before use, the container (19) is partly or fully protected by
means of moisture barriers, which can be opened or removed.
11. The component according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the aldehyde-binding compound comprises one
or more free sulphhydryl and amino groups or sulphonic groups.
12. The component according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the aldehyde-binding compound comprises one
or more compounds according to the formula (I) ##STR00002## wherein
R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an acyl group containing 1-4 carbon atoms,
R.sup.2 is a sulphhydryl or sulphonic group, and n is 1, 2, 3 or 4,
or a salt of these compounds.
13. The component according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the aldehyde-binding compound is selected
from a group comprising L-cysteine, D-cysteine, cysteine acid,
cysteine-glycine, cystine, threo- or
erythro-.beta.-phenyl-DL-cysteine,
.beta.-tetramethylene-DL-cysteine, methionine, serine,
D-penicillamine or its N-terminal dipeptide, semicarbazide,
glutathione, reduced glutathione, .beta.-mercaptoethylene amine,
DL-homocysteine, DL-homocysteine acid, N-acetylcysteine,
L-cysteinyl-L-valine, .beta.-.beta.-tetramethylene-DL-cysteine,
cysteinyl glycine, mercaptoethyl glycine, cysteine hydrochloride,
thiamine hydrochloride, sodium metabisulphite, arginine, glycine,
lycine, ammonium chloride, 1,4-dithiothreitol, mercaptane, or a
salt of any of these compounds.
14. The component according to any one of the preceding claims to
be used in reducing the amount of aldehydes contained in cigarette
smoke in the mouth and the saliva.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a component according to the
preamble of Claim 1, which is intended to be attached to a tobacco
product.
[0002] Both alcohol and smoking are risk factors for the cancers of
the upper alimentary tract, and their joint use multiplies the risk
of the upper alimentary tract cancer to as high as 150-fold
(Salaspuro, M. Best Pract Res Clin. Gastroenterol (2003) 17:679-94
and Francheschi et al. Cancer Res (1990) 50:6502-07).
[0003] The inclusion of compounds in cigarettes or filters, which
bind harmful substances from the cigarette smoke, has been
suggested in several patent specifications. For example,
specification U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,449 suggests adding to tobacco,
cigars, pipes or filters a composition that binds harmful
substances from cigarette smoke. The suggested composition contains
L-glutathione, a source of selenium, such as L-selenomethionine or
L-selenocysteine. The composition might also contain L-cysteine or
N-acetylcysteine. This antioxidant complex was suggested to be
dispersed as a powder, a stable solution or an aqueous emulsion in
tobacco or the filter.
[0004] Patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,947 suggests the
use of non-toxic salts of 2-mercaptoalkalene-sulphonate, and/or
cysteine and acetylcysteine in cigarette filters or holders
containing a filter.
[0005] Patent specification EP 1,541,043 describes a cigarette
filter containing amino acids, amino acid salts, and a moisturizing
agent. The moisturizing agent can comprise glycerine, sodium
propionate or sodium lactate.
[0006] The cigarette filter described in patent specification U.S.
Pat. No. 5,860,428 comprises a porous substrate, in which a
humectant, such as sodium pyroglutamate has been dispersed. The
hydrophilic humectant absorbs moisture from the cigarette smoke and
releases the moisture to be wet-filtered in the porous substrate.
The specification states that the filter can contain factors, which
inactivate the toxic components of the smoke. Such factors include
antioxidants and radical scavengers, such as glutathione, cysteine,
N-acetylcysteine, mesna, etc. However, the specification does not
mention the amounts, in which these substances should be used.
[0007] Patent specification PCT/FI2005/000429 suggests a separate
preparation or a composition that is added to the tobacco product,
filter or cigarette holder, binding the aldehydes that enter the
saliva during smoking. For binding the aldehydes, compounds were
used that contained a free sulphhydryl and/or amino group, such as
cysteine.
[0008] Preparations that are sucked or chewed in the mouth and
contain amino acids, such as L-cysteine, selenomethionine, taurine
or arginine, ascorbic acid, vitamins A and E, have been suggested
to be used in decreasing the effect of the harmful free radical
compounds that are formed in connection with using tobacco products
or being exposed to the same. It is believed that, after being
absorbed, amino acids affect in various tissues (Hersch, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,922,346, Hersch, International Patent Application No
PCT/US98/12617).
[0009] The present invention tries to solve at least some of the
problems of the known technology.
[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a
component, which can be attached to the tobacco product and which
is capable of removing an essential part of the aldehydes in the
smoke of the tobacco product.
[0011] More specifically, the composition according to the
invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing
part of claim 1.
[0012] In solutions according to the known technology, the problem
with filters or other solutions that bind harmful substances from
smoke has been that the filter has dried or been too dry already
from the start, so that the filter has not bound the harmful
compounds as desired. The present invention is based on the fact
that the material inside the component that is to be attached to
the tobacco product is sufficiently moist, when the smoking starts,
so that the compounds in the material, which are capable of binding
aldehydes, are active.
[0013] According to the invention, compounds that are capable of
binding aldehydes are absorbed as an aqueous solution into or, in
another way, attached to the material, which is packed in the
component that is intended to be attached to the tobacco product.
When the component is tightly attached to the suction head of the
tobacco product, the cigarette smoke travels through the component,
and the material inside the component, containing compounds capable
of biding aldehydes, binds the aldehydes from the cigarette smoke
so that the aldehyde content cannot rise to a harmfully high level
in the mouth and the saliva. As the compounds, which are capable of
binding aldehydes, bind aldehydes in the aqueous phase, the
material that contains the aldehyde-binding compounds should be
moist enough at the beginning of smoking for the binding reaction
to take place.
[0014] The purpose of one advantageous embodiment of the present
invention, in particular, is to provide a solution, due to which
the capability of the component, which is to be attached to the
tobacco product, to bind harmful aldehydes is preserved during the
storage of the product.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
compounds capable of binding aldehydes are absorbed into the porous
material as an aqueous solution, and the purpose is to keep the
water content of the material high enough until the filter with its
material is utilized. The high enough water content herein means
that the aldehyde-binding compounds in the material remain active,
i.e., they are capable of binding the aldehydes into a form
harmless to health.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
moisture in the material contained in the component that is
attached to the tobacco product is retained by means of moisture
barriers. The moisture barriers are used to fully or partially
protect the component that is attached to the tobacco product.
[0017] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the filter material containing the aldehyde-binding compounds is
packed in a container, which can be inserted into the component
that is attached to the tobacco product. The container can fully or
partially be protected by means of the moisture barriers.
[0018] By means of the filter according to the invention, capable
of binding aldehydes, at least 60%, typically at least 80%,
preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, and most
preferably at least 95% of the aldehydes contained in the smoke of
the tobacco, cigar, pipe or other tobacco product can be bound.
[0019] The use of the aldehyde-binding filter is simple. The
component containing filtering material is attached to the tobacco
product in a similar manner as the mouthpieces or cigarette holders
on the market. According to the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the component is fully or partially protected by means
of the moisture barriers. The moisture barriers are removed from
the ends of the component, or the component is removed from its
package that serves as the moisture barrier. The filter is
immediately ready for use. In embodiments, wherein the filtering
material contained in the component contains a sufficient amount of
aldehyde-binding compounds, the component can be used during more
than one use (time of smoking) of the tobacco product.
[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
before use, a container containing the aldehyde-binding filter
material is added to the component, such as the mouthpiece or the
cigarette holder. The container is preferably partly or fully
protected by means of the moisture barriers. Before use, the
moisture barriers are removed and the container is inserted into
the component that is to be attached to the tobacco product.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the filtering effect of a filter moistened with
a water-cysteine solution on the content of the carcinogenic
aldehyde, acetaldehyde, occurring in cigarette smoke. The use of
the cysteine filter lowers the content of acetaldehyde in saliva,
which is measured during smoking, considerably below the limit
value that is internationally set for its carcinogenicity.
[0022] FIG. 2 A-C shows a top view of the tobacco product and the
component (cigarette holder) that can be attached thereto (FIG.
2A), and a cross section from the side so that the component is
separate from the tobacco product (FIG. 2B) or attached to the
tobacco product (FIG. 2).
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the component (the cigarette
holder) as viewed from the end of the holder (FIG. 3A) and from its
side (FIG. 3B). FIG. 3C shows the cigarette holder as viewed from
the end of the holder.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the tobacco product, the
component that can be attached to the tobacco product being
attached between its attachments.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a packaging sheet, wherein the components that
can be attached to the tobacco product have been packed.
[0026] In the following, the present invention is examined closely
by means of a detailed description and application examples.
[0027] The "tobacco product" refers to any tobacco product, such as
a cigarette, cigar or pipe. The tobacco product can already include
a conventional filter or the product can be without a filter.
However, it is preferable that the filter does not prevent the
smoke from drifting through the component (the cigarette holder,
the aldehyde-binding filter) that contains the aldehyde-binding
material according to the invention.
[0028] "Smoking" herein refers to the use of the tobacco product,
such as the cigarette, cigar or other tobacco product.
[0029] The "component that can be attached to the tobacco product"
can also be called a cigarette holder or a filter. In that case, it
refers to the filter that binds aldehydes, as distinct from the
conventional filters that are used in tobacco products.
[0030] Typically, the component that is to be attached to the
tobacco product has the shape of a cigarette holder or a
mouthpiece.
[0031] The solutions according to the invention are now examined
with reference to FIG. 2-5.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a component 1 according to the invention that
is to be attached to the tobacco product, and the tobacco product
2. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the component 1 and the tobacco product 2
are separate, and in FIG. 2C, connected to each other. In FIG. 2A,
the component 1 and the tobacco product 2 are shown from the top,
in FIGS. 2B and 2C as a cross section viewed from the side. The
component 1 that is intended to be attached to the tobacco product
comprises a cylindrical space 13, which is open at both ends
thereof and essentially hollow inside, the component being closely
adaptable to the suction head 12 of the tobacco product 2. When
being adapted to the tobacco product, both ends of the component 1
should be open, so that the smoke drifts through the component
during smoking. The component 1 can also be called a cigarette
holder or a filter. The tobacco product shown in FIG. 2 also
contains a conventional filter 14.
[0033] The space 13 inside the component 1 that is intended to be
attached to the tobacco product contains porous material 3, into
which an aqueous solution containing at least one aldehyde-binding
compound has been absorbed, or to which at least one
aldehyde-binding compound has been attached in another way. The
material containing aldehyde-binding compounds herein can also be
called a filter material. At the end of component 1, which is
adaptable to the suction head 12 of the tobacco product, there is
an empty space 15 that is free of material 3. When adapting the
component 1 to the tobacco product 2, the suction head 12 of the
tobacco product goes inside the empty space 15 at the end of the
component 1, so that the edge 16 of the adapting area covers the
end 12 of the tobacco product.
[0034] After the filtering part of the component has been made, the
material 3 should be moist. It is preferable to moisten the
material with 20-500 .mu.l, more preferably 20-400 .mu.l, most
preferably 50-250 .mu.l of water, or if the aldehyde-binding
compounds are included in the aqueous solution, of the aqueous
solution containing the aldehyde-binding substance. The amount of
aqueous solution, which is needed for moistening the material,
naturally, depends on the length of the component (the cigarette
holder) and the amount of material. The water content of the
material 3 in the component 1 can be kept essentially unchangeable
by means of moisture barrier(s) 4, 5, which can be opened or
removed before starting to smoke.
[0035] According to another embodiment of the invention, the filter
material is moistened before use. However, it should then be
ensured, that the aldehyde-binding compounds in the filter material
are capable of retaining their reactivity with aldehydes, even when
drying. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
aldehyde-binding compounds are attached to the filter material in
the aqueous solution, and the moisture of the filter material is
kept essentially unchangeable until the tobacco product and the
component containing the filter material, which is to be attached
thereto, are utilized.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a moisture barrier 4, 5 according to one
solution according to the invention. It is manufactured from
essentially airtight material, such as aluminium foil. The moisture
barrier 4, 5 covers both ends of the component 1.
[0037] According to one preferred solution of the invention shown
in FIG. 4, the component 1 can be provided with additions 8, 9,
which contain projections 10, 11, which puncture the moisture
barrier 4, 5, when the additions are in place. The additions can be
placed at the suction head 12 of the tobacco product 2 so that the
component 1 remains between the additions 8 and 9, which are
tightly attachable to each other. When the moisture barriers 4, 5
have been pierced open by means of the projections 10, 11, the
smoke is allowed to drift through the tobacco product 2 and the
component 1.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a packaging sheet 16 according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention for packaging the components 1. The
component 1 is packed into a recess 6 of the packaging sheet 16,
which is made of a formable material, such as plastic, the recess
preferably having a shape that conforms to the shape of the
component 1. The recess 6 can be covered with a moisture barrier
17, whereby the component 1 is left in the airtight space in the
recess 6. The component 1 can be pushed out of the recess 6 so that
the moisture barrier 17 is torn or the moisture barrier 17 can be
pulled from the top of the component. The same packaging sheet 16
can have several components 1 packed in respective recesses 6.
[0039] The porous material 3, which the aldehyde-binding compound
is absorbed into or attached to in some other way, is packaged
inside the component 1 so that as large as possible a surface
becomes in contact with the smoke. FIG. 3 shows a way of packaging
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. According to
the embodiment, material 7 is wound into the form of a roll and
packed inside the component 1. In that case, the smoke is allowed
to drift between the slightly spaced apart layers 18 of the
material 7, and the aldehyde-binding compound in the material gets
in contact with the aldehydes in the smoke. According to another
preferred embodiment of the invention, cellulose can be packed as a
wadding-type mass inside the component 1.
[0040] Typically, the component that can be attached to the tobacco
product has an elongated shape of a cigarette
holder/mouthpiece.
[0041] Inside the component 1, there is preferably a container 19,
inside which the porous material 3 and the aldehyde-binding
compounds are packed. The container preferably comprises a material
similar to plastic. The container preferably has such a shape and
size that it fits inside the component 1. The outer dimensions of
the container can be, for example, 6-10 mm.times.30-40 mm,
typically 8 mm.times.35 mm.
[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
container 19 is packed and separately partly or fully protected by
means of the moisture barriers. The container can be inserted into
the component 1, such as the cigarette holder or the mouthpiece,
which is to be attached to the tobacco product, before starting to
smoke.
[0043] The porous material inside the component, such as the
cigarette holder or the container, which can be attached to the
tobacco product, can comprise cellulose, for example. Cellulose can
be, for example, cellulose wadding or filter paper or another
material that behaves in a corresponding manner. The amount of
material per one cigarette holder or container inside the same can
be 50-200 mg, preferably 70-150 mg, typically 90-120 mg. The amount
of porous material depends on the size of the mouthpiece or the
cigarette holder or the container inside the same and also on how
large an amount of aldehyde-binding compounds is to be attached to
the material.
[0044] The amount of aqueous solution per one component, such as
the cigarette holder or the container inside the same, is
preferably 20-500 .mu.l, more preferably 20-400 .mu.l, typically
50-250 .mu.l. The amount of water should be sufficient to keep the
aldehyde-binding compounds active.
[0045] The amount of water (or the solution, typically aqueous
solution, containing the aldehyde-binding compound) in the porous
material contained in the component, such as the cigarette holder
or the container inside the same, is preferably 0.1-10 .mu.l of
water or aqueous solution/mg of porous material (20-500
.mu.l/50-200 mg), more preferably 0.1-5.7 .mu.l/mg (20-400
.mu.l/70-150 mg), typically 0.4-2.7 .mu.l/mg (50-250 .mu.l/90-120
mg) of water or aqueous solution/mg of porous material. The water
is typically distilled water.
[0046] The component, such as the cigarette holder or the container
inside the same, which is intended to be attached to the tobacco
product, preferably contains the aldehyde-binding compound in an
amount, which is sufficient for binding the aldehydes contained in
the smoke of at least one tobacco product. This amount is
preferably 0.5 mg-100 mg, typically 10-50 mg. A larger amount is
preferable, especially when the component, such as the cigarette
holder or the container, is used more than once.
[0047] The amount of aldehyde-binding compounds in the aqueous
solution containing the aldehyde-binding compound is preferably
1-5000 mg/ml of solution (0.5 mg-100 mg/20-500 .mu.l of solution,
more preferably 25-2500 mg/ml of solution (10-50 mg/20-400 .mu.l of
solution), typically 40-1000 mg/ml of solution (10-50 mg/50-250
.mu.l of solution), generally 40-400 mg/ml (10-100 mg/250 .mu.l of
solution) of aqueous solution, most generally 40-200 mg/ml of
aqueous solution (10-50 mg/250 .mu.l of solution).
[0048] The aqueous solution containing the aldehyde-binding
compound also refers to aqueous solutions, which have been
buffered, their acid content having been adjusted and/or to which
salts have been added. The binding of aldehydes and their filtering
from the cigarette smoke can be improved, for example, by buffering
or adjusting the acid content to a slightly alkaline or acidic
direction by adding small amounts of salts to the aqueous
solutions.
[0049] "Aldehydes" refer to C.sub.1-C.sub.7 aldehydes, which can be
hydrocarbon chains with a linear, branched or cyclic structure. In
addition to the aldehyde group, they can also contain other
reactive groups as well as double or triple bonds between the
atoms. Low-molecular aldehydes comprise formaldehyde (C.sub.1),
acetaldehyde (C.sub.2), and acrolein (C.sub.3) and crotonaldehyde
(C.sub.4), the latter two containing a double bond. Of these,
especially acetaldehyde is important. Aldehydes herein refer to the
aldehydes that occur in the smoke of tobacco products. Although in
the following, we refer to acetaldehyde, in particular, the
intention is to also refer to other aldehydes that are found in
cigarette smoke.
[0050] According to the invention, the compounds that are obtained
from aldehydes, acetaldehyde, in particular, by chemically binding,
are harmless to the organs.
[0051] "Binding of aldehydes" refers to the chemical reaction
between aldehyde and a compound that has a free sulphhydryl and/or
amino group, aldehyde in the reaction forming a larger molecule
together with an "aldehyde-binding substance", and water being
possibly formed in the reaction. Correspondingly, "binding of
acetaldehyde" refers to the chemical reaction between acetaldehyde
and a compound having a free amino group and/or sulphhydryl or
sulphonic group, acetaldehyde in the reaction forming a larger
molecule together with an "acetaldehyde-binding substance", and
water being possibly formed in the reaction. The
"acetaldehyde-binding substance" preferably refers to a compound
having one or more free amino groups and sulphhydryl groups or
sulphonic groups. The "compound" can refer to one or more
compounds.
[0052] For example, when reacting with cysteine, acetaldehyde binds
itself to both the sulphhydryl and the amino group, forming
2-methyl-L-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and water.
[0053] Acetaldehyde can bind itself to the amino group of almost
any protein, whereby a Schiff base or a 2-methyl-imidazole ring is
formed.
[0054] Cysteine and its derivatives are especially suitable for the
purpose according to the invention. The most suitable amino acids
in the use according to the invention comprise L- and D-cysteine,
acetylcysteine, N-penicillamine or the derivatives of cysteine,
which function in the same way as L- or D-cysteine. The compound is
most suitably L-cysteine.
[0055] Suitable compounds for binding acetaldehyde in the organs
also comprise the compounds according to the formula (I):
##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an acyl group containing 1-4 carbon
atoms; R.sup.2 is a sulphhydryl or sulphonic group; n is 1, 2, 3 or
4.
[0056] Amino acids or other compounds that suitably bind
acetaldehyde and contain a free sulphhydryl (SH) and/or amino
(NH.sub.2) group include
L-cysteine,
D-cysteine,
[0057] cysteine acid, cysteine-glycine, threo- or
erythro-.beta.-phenyl-DL-cysteine,
.beta.-tetramethylene-DL-cysteine, methionine, D-penicillamine and
its N-terminal dipeptides, semicarbazide, reduced glutathione,
.beta.-mercaptoethyl amine
D,L-homocysteine,
N-acetylcysteine,
L-cysteinyl-L-valine,
[0058] .beta.-.beta.-tetramethylene-DL-cysteine, cysteinylglycine,
mercaptoethyl glycine, thiamine hydrochloride, sodium
metabisulphite, mercaptanes.
[0059] However, only those aldehyde-binding compounds, which show
no health hazards in the dosages used, are suitable for the
preparations according to the present invention.
[0060] Suitable compounds to be used in the invention also include
the salts of the aldehyde-binding compounds.
[0061] The "content of acetaldehyde that is harmful/causes cancer"
in human mouth, oesophagus, stomach and large intestine is 20-800
.mu.mol/l of saliva or content of the intestine.
[0062] "In connection with smoking" herein refers to the period of
time that begins from starting to smoke and ends, when the smoking
is ended.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Moistened Cysteine Filter
[0063] The Materials Used in the Tests
Tobacco
Marlboro Red, Amer Tupakka
North State Plain, BAT
[0064] The entire filter of Marlboro Red was removed or, in some
tests, 2-3 mm of the original filter was left in the cigarette.
The Cigarette Holder
[0065] In the tests, ready commercial cigarette holders/mouthpieces
of Denicotea, www.denicotea.de were used. In the cigarette
holders/mouthpieces, plastic cylinder-shaped "containers" were
used, the filtering material being packed in the containers. The
original content (intended for the removal of nicotine) of the
containers was removed and replaced with the material that was used
in the study. The outer dimensions of the container were: diameter
8 mm and length 35 mm.
The Filter Material
[0066] Cellulose wadding (c. 100 mg), filter paper (Whattman),
Commercial filters: Smart (the importer: Altadia Finland Oy) and
Ventti (Philip Morris Finland Oy),
Cysteine
[0067] Cysteine was dissolved in distilled water, 30-180 mg of
L-Cysteine/1 ml. The manufacturer: Fluka, 30089.
Test Arrangements
[0068] The filter material that had been packed in plastic
cylinders was moistened with a water-cysteine solution (50-250
.mu.l), and the filter container thus made was placed in the
Denicotea cigarette holder. After this, the testees smoked the
cigarettes that had been placed in the mouthpieces. During smoking,
saliva samples were collected from those participating in the tests
and the acetaldehyde in the saliva was analyzed by gas
chromatography, Perkin-Elmer, HS40, headspace Gas
Chromatograph.
Results
[0069] Similar results were obtained with both tobacco brands.
[0070] The filter material that had been moistened with the
water-cysteine solution removed almost all acetaldehyde from the
saliva (95%), FIG. 1 [0071] The acetaldehyde contents measured from
the saliva in connection with the use of the cysteine filter
decreased to considerably below the international limit value 100
.mu.M set for the carcinogenicity of acetaldehyde. [0072] The
filterability was dependent on the amount of cysteine; FIG. 1 shows
the effect of the moistened cysteine filter on the acetaldehyde
content of the saliva during smoking.
[0073] The results show that: [0074] The filter material alone does
not filter acetaldehyde. [0075] The filter moistened with water
does not filter acetaldehyde. [0076] The filter and cysteine in
solid form do not filter acetaldehyde. [0077] The results can be
generalized to various tobacco brands, with or without a filter.
[0078] The commercial filters do not bind water; therefore, they
are not suited for the filter material. [0079] It is not preferable
to use the cysteine filter together with the original filter of the
cigarette. In that case, the smoke does not flow normally and
easily through the two filters. A small part of the original filter
can be preserved, if the material of the cysteine filter is porous
enough.
* * * * *
References