U.S. patent application number 17/540891 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-24 for stabilizer for moist snuff.
The applicant listed for this patent is American Snuff Company, LLC. Invention is credited to John E. Bunch, Robert Reinbold.
Application Number | 20220087307 17/540891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006004570 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220087307 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reinbold; Robert ; et
al. |
March 24, 2022 |
STABILIZER FOR MOIST SNUFF
Abstract
The disclosure provides a method for improving the storage
stability of a moist smokeless tobacco product configured for oral
use, for example, a moist snuff tobacco product. The moist
smokeless tobacco product includes a tobacco formulation containing
a tobacco material. The method includes mixing the tobacco material
with one or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives to form
the tobacco formulation. The disclosure also provides a moist
smokeless tobacco product incorporating a tobacco material and one
or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives. Such moist
smokeless tobacco products exhibit improved storage stability with
respect to one or more characteristics such as nitrite, tobacco
specific nitrosamine, organic acid, pH, and moisture content.
Inventors: |
Reinbold; Robert;
(Collierville, TN) ; Bunch; John E.; (Cary,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
American Snuff Company, LLC |
Memphis |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006004570 |
Appl. No.: |
17/540891 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16407619 |
May 9, 2019 |
11213062 |
|
|
17540891 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/301
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/30 20060101
A24B015/30 |
Claims
1. A method for improving the storage stability of a moist
smokeless tobacco product configured for oral use, the moist
smokeless tobacco product comprising a tobacco formulation
comprising a tobacco material having a moisture content of from
about 40% to about 70%, the method comprising: mixing the tobacco
material with one or more antioxidants added in an amount to
provide an initial total antioxidant concentration in the tobacco
formulation of from about 1 part per million (ppm) to about 1000
ppm by weight on a dry weight basis; and mixing the tobacco
material with one or more preservatives added in an amount to
provide an initial total preservative concentration in the tobacco
formulation from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm by weight on a dry
weight basis, to form the tobacco formulation.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the moist smokeless tobacco
product is in the form of moist snuff.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material has a
moisture content from about 50% to about 60%.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material has a water
activity (Aw) from about 0.85 to about 0.88.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more antioxidants are
selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, sodium
ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, citric acid,
Vitamin E or a derivative thereof, a tocopherol, propyl gallate,
octyl gallate, dodecyl gallate, monosterol citrate, epicatechol,
epigallocatechol, epigallocatechol gallate, erythorbic acid, sodium
erythorbate, 4-hexylresorcinol, theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate
A or B, theaflavin digallate, phenolic acids, glycosides,
quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, polyphenols, catechols,
resveratrol s, oleuropein, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA),
butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ),
and combinations thereof.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the antioxidant is TBHQ.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more preservatives are
selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben,
propylparaben, sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, sodium
benzoate, and combinations thereof.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the preservative is
propylparaben.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the antioxidant is TBHQ and the
preservative is propylparaben.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding one or more
additional components to the tobacco formulation, the additional
components selected from the group consisting of flavorants,
fillers, binders, pH adjusters, buffering agents, colorants,
disintegration aids, and humectants.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the following is
maintained for a storage period of at least about 10 days at a
temperature of less than about 10.degree. C. in a closed container.
a concentration of citrate between about 1% and about 2%; an Aw
value between about 0.85 and about 0.88; a pH between about 7.5 and
about 8.1; a concentration of nitrite below about 10 ppm; a
concentration of acetate between about 1% and about 4%.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein a tobacco-specific nitrosamines
(TSNA) concentration is maintained below about 50 ppm on a dry
weight basis for a storage period of at least about 10 days at a
temperature of less than about 10.degree. C. in a closed
container.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein a TSNA concentration of the
tobacco formulation is reduced over a storage period of at least
about 10 days, at a temperature of less than about 10.degree. C. in
a closed container, relative to a control tobacco formulation which
does not contain the one or more antioxidants and the one or more
preservatives.
14. A moist smokeless tobacco product configured for oral use, the
moist smokeless tobacco product comprising a tobacco material, one
or more antioxidants, and one or more preservatives, wherein the
one or more antioxidants are present in the moist smokeless tobacco
product in a total antioxidant concentration from about 1 part per
million (ppm) to about 1000 ppm, and the one or more preservatives
are present in the tobacco formulation in a total preservative
concentration from about 1 part per million (ppm) to about 10,000
ppm, and wherein the moist smokeless tobacco product has a moisture
content from about 40% to about 70%.
15. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
moist smokeless tobacco product is in the form of moist snuff.
16. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
moist smokeless tobacco product has a moisture content of from
about 50% to about 60%.
17. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
moist smokeless tobacco product has a water activity (Aw) of about
0.85 to about 0.88.
18. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
one or more antioxidants are selected from the group consisting of
ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl
palmitate, citric acid, Vitamin E or a derivative thereof, a
tocopherol, propyl gallate, octyl gallate, dodecyl gallate,
monosterol citrate, epicatechol, epigallocatechol, epigallocatechol
gallate, erythorbic acid, sodium erythorbate, 4-Hexylresorcinol,
theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate A or B, theaflavin digallate,
phenolic acids, glycosides, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside,
polyphenols, catechols, resveratrols, oleuropein, butylated
hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary
butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), and combinations thereof.
19. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
antioxidant is TBHQ.
20. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
one or more preservatives are selected from the group consisting of
methyl paraben, propylparaben, sodium propionate, potassium
sorbate, sodium benzoate, and combinations thereof.
21. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
preservative is propylparaben.
22. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
antioxidant is TBHQ and the preservative is propylparaben.
23. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, further
comprising one or more additional components selected from the
group consisting of flavorants, fillers, binders, pH adjusters,
buffering agents, colorants, disintegration aids, and
humectants.
24. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
moist smokeless tobacco product is characterized, after a storage
period of at least about 10 days at a temperature of less than
about 10.degree. C. in a closed container, by a tobacco specific
nitrosamine (TSNA) concentration that is reduced relative to a
control moist smokeless tobacco product which does not comprise the
one or more antioxidants and the one or more preservatives.
25. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
moist smokeless tobacco product is characterized, after a storage
period of at least about 10 days at a temperature of less than
about 10.degree. C. in a closed container, by one or more of: a
TSNA concentration below about 50 ppm on a dry weight basis; a
concentration of citrate between about 1% and about 2%; an Aw value
between about 0.85 and about 0.88; a pH between about 7.5 and about
8.1; a concentration of nitrite below about 10 ppm; a concentration
of acetate between about 1% and about 4%.
26. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 14, wherein the
storage period is from about 10 days to about 150 days.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/407,619, filed May 9, 2019, and which is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to products made or derived
from tobacco, or that otherwise incorporate tobacco, and are
intended for human consumption.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Cigarettes, cigars and pipes are popular smoking articles
that employ tobacco in various forms. Such smoking articles are
used by heating or burning tobacco, and aerosol (e.g., smoke) is
inhaled by the smoker. Tobacco also may be enjoyed in a so-called
"smokeless" form. Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products
are employed by inserting some form of processed tobacco or
tobacco-containing formulation into the mouth of the user.
[0004] Various types of smokeless tobacco products are known. See
for example, the types of smokeless tobacco formulations,
ingredients, and processing methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat.
No. 1,376,586 to Schwartz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,917 to Levi; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,513,756 to Pittman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,993 to
Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,269 to Story et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,599 to Tibbetts; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,907 to
Townsend; U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,352 to Sprinkle, III et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,839 to
Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No.
6,953,040 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,601 to Atchley et
al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,686 to Atchley et al.; US Pat. Pub.
Nos. 2004/0020503 to Williams; 2005/0115580 to Quinter et al.;
2006/0191548 to Strickland et al.; 2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. et
al.; 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186942 to Strickland
et al.; 2008/0029110 to Dube et al.; 2008/0029116 to Robinson et
al.; 2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0196730 to Engstrom et
al.; 2008/0209586 to Neilsen et al.; 2008/0305216 to Crawford et
al.; 2009/0065013 to Essen et al.; 2009/0293889 to Kumar et al.;
2010/0291245 to Gao et al; and 2011/0139164 to Mua et al.; PCT WO
04/095959 to Arnarp et al. and WO 2010/132444 to Atchley; each of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0005] One type of smokeless tobacco product is referred to as
"snuff" Representative types of moist snuff products, commonly
referred to as "snus," are manufactured in Europe, particularly in
Sweden, by or through companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler
& Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S,
and Rocker Production AB. Snus products available in the U.S.A. are
marketed under the tradenames CAMEL Snus, CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips
and CAMEL Sticks by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; GRIZZLY moist
tobacco, KODIAK moist tobacco, LEVI GARRETT loose tobacco and
TAYLOR'S PRIDE loose tobacco by American Snuff Company, LLC; KAYAK
moist snuff and CHATTANOOGA CHEW chewing tobacco by Swisher
International, Inc.; REDMAN chewing tobacco by Pinkerton Tobacco
Co. LP; COPENHAGEN moist tobacco, COPENHAGEN Pouches, SKOAL
Bandits, SKOAL Pouches, RED SEAL long cut and REVEL Mint Tobacco
Packs by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company; and MARLBORO Snus and
Taboka by Philip Morris USA. See also, for example, Bryzgalov et
al., 1N1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparative Life Cycle
Assessment of General Loose and Portion Snus (2005). In addition,
certain quality standards associated with snus manufacture have
been assembled as a so-called GothiaTek.RTM. standard (see, e.g.,
https://www.swedishmatch.
com/Snus-and-health/GOTHIATEK/GOTHIATEK-standard/ and Runquist et
al., Harm Reduction Journal 2011, 8:11).
[0006] It would be desirable in the art to provide moist smokeless
tobacco products intended for oral use which exhibit improved
storage stability. Examples of improving storage stability include,
generally, suppressing undesirable enzymatic and microbial activity
and specifically, improving the flavor profile, retaining moisture,
maintaining or enhancing levels of acetate and citrate, and
suppressing nitrite and tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA)
formation. Maintaining or suppressing such characteristics during
storage is particularly challenging due to the high moisture
content of moist smokeless tobacco products, which may promote
undesirable enzymatic and microbial activity leading to product
degradation. Accordingly, methods of stabilizing moist smokeless
tobacco products are needed.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure provides a method for improving the
storage stability of a moist smokeless tobacco product configured
for oral use, and further provides storage-stabilized moist
smokeless tobacco products. The methods and moist smokeless tobacco
products rely on the surprising finding that adding one or more
antioxidants and one or more preservatives to a moist tobacco
material improves the storage stability of such tobacco materials,
in some cases providing a synergistic effect.
[0008] Accordingly, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a
method for improving the storage stability of a moist smokeless
tobacco product configured for oral use, the moist smokeless
tobacco product comprising a tobacco formulation comprising a
tobacco material, the method comprising mixing the tobacco material
with one or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives to form
the tobacco formulation.
[0009] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
in the form of moist snuff.
[0010] In some embodiments, the tobacco formulation comprises a
tobacco material having a moisture content of from about 40% to
about 70%, about 45 to about 65%, or about 50 to about 60%. In some
embodiments, the tobacco formulation comprises a tobacco material
having a moisture content of from about 50% to about 60%. In some
embodiments, the tobacco formulation comprises a tobacco material
having a water activity (Aw) of from about 0.85 to about 0.88.
[0011] In some embodiments, the one or more antioxidants are added
in an amount to provide an initial total antioxidant concentration
in the tobacco formulation of from about 1 part per million (ppm)
to about 1000 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, or from
about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0012] In some embodiments, the one or more antioxidants are
selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, sodium
ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, citric acid,
Vitamin E or a derivative thereof, a tocopherol, propyl gallate,
octyl gallate, dodecyl gallate, monosterol citrate, epicatechol,
epigallocatechol, epigallocatechol gallate, erythorbic acid, sodium
erythorbate, 4-Hexylresorcinol, theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate
A or B, theaflavin digallate, phenolic acids, glycosides,
quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, polyphenols, catechols,
resveratrols, oleuropein, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), and
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the antioxidant is
TBHQ.
[0013] In some embodiments, the one or more preservatives are added
in an amount to provide an initial total preservative concentration
in the tobacco formulation of from about 1 part per million (ppm)
to about 10,000 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 5000 ppm, or from
about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm by weight on a dry weight basis. In
some embodiments, the one or more preservatives are selected from
the group consisting of methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium
propionate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and combinations
thereof. In some embodiments, the preservative is propylparaben. In
some embodiments, the antioxidant is TBHQ and the preservative is
propylparaben. In some embodiments, the initial concentration of
TBHQ is about 300 ppm, and the initial concentration of
propylparaben is about 1000 ppm.
[0014] In some embodiments, the method further comprises adding one
or more additional components to the tobacco formulation, the
additional components selected from the group consisting of
flavorants, fillers, binders, pH adjusters, buffering agents,
colorants, disintegration aids, and humectants.
[0015] In some embodiments, a concentration of citrate in the
tobacco formulation is maintained between about 1% and about 2% for
a storage period of at least about 10 days.
[0016] In some embodiments, a water activity (Aw) value is
maintained between about 0.85 and about 0.88 for a storage period
of at least about 10 days.
[0017] In some embodiments, the pH of the smokeless tobacco product
is maintained between about 7.5 and about 8.1 for a storage period
of at least about 10 days.
[0018] In some embodiments, a concentration of acetate is
maintained between about 1% and about 4% over a storage period of
at least about 10 days.
[0019] In some embodiments, a concentration of nitrite is
maintained below about 10 ppm for a storage period of at least
about 10 days.
[0020] In some embodiments, a tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA)
concentration is maintained below about 50 ppm on a dry weight
basis for a storage period of at least about 10 days. In some
embodiments, a TSNA concentration of the tobacco formulation is
reduced over a storage period of at least about 10 days relative to
a control tobacco formulation which does not contain the one or
more antioxidants and the one or more preservatives.
[0021] The present disclosure also provides a smokeless tobacco
configured for oral use, the moist smokeless tobacco prepared
according to the methods disclosed herein.
[0022] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a smokeless
tobacco product comprising a moist smokeless tobacco product
configured for oral use, the moist smokeless tobacco product
comprising a tobacco material, one or more antioxidants, and one or
more preservatives. In some embodiments, the moist smokeless
tobacco product is in the form of moist snuff
[0023] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product has
a moisture content of from about 40% to about 70%, about 45 to
about 65%, or about 50 to about 60%. In some embodiments, the moist
smokeless tobacco product has a moisture content of from about 50%
to about 60%. In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco
product has a water activity (Aw) of about 0.85 to about 0.88.
[0024] In some embodiments, the one or more antioxidants are
present in the moist smokeless tobacco product in a total
antioxidant concentration of from about 1 part per million (ppm) to
about 1000 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, or from about
100 ppm to about 300 ppm. In some embodiments, the one or more
antioxidants are selected from the group consisting of ascorbic
acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate,
citric acid, Vitamin E or a derivative thereof, a tocopherol,
propyl gallate, octyl gallate, dodecyl gallate, monosterol citrate,
epicatechol, epigallocatechol, epigallocatechol gallate, erythorbic
acid, sodium erythorbate, 4-Hexylresorcinol, theaflavin, theaflavin
monogallate A or B, theaflavin digallate, phenolic acids,
glycosides, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, polyphenols,
catechols, resveratrols, oleuropein, butylated hydroxyanisole
(BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary butylhydroquinone
(TBHQ), and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the one or
more antioxidants is TBHQ.
[0025] In some embodiments, the one or more preservatives are
present in the tobacco formulation in a total preservative
concentration of from about 1 part per million (ppm) to about
10,000 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 5000 ppm, or from about 100
ppm to about 1000 ppm. In some embodiments, the preservative is
selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben,
propylparaben, sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, sodium
benzoate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the
preservative is propylparaben. In some embodiments, the antioxidant
is TBHQ and the preservative is propylparaben. In some embodiments,
the initial concentration of TBHQ is about 300 ppm, and the initial
concentration of propylparaben is about 1000 ppm.
[0026] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product
further comprises one or more additional components selected from
the group consisting of flavorants, fillers, binders, pH adjusters,
buffering agents, colorants, disintegration aids, and
humectants.
[0027] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a concentration of citrate between about 1% and about 2%. In some
embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is characterized,
after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by a
concentration of acetate between about 1% and about 4%.
[0028] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
an Aw value between about 0.85 and about 0.88.
[0029] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a pH between about 7.5 and about 8.1.
[0030] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a concentration of nitrite below about 10 ppm.
[0031] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a TSNA concentration that is reduced relative to a control moist
smokeless tobacco product which does not comprise the one or more
antioxidants and the one or more preservatives. In some
embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is characterized,
after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by a TSNA
concentration below about 50 ppm on a dry weight basis.
[0032] In some embodiments, the storage period is from about 10
days to about 150 days. In some embodiments, the storage period is
about 10 days, about 20 days, about 30 days, about 40 days, about
60 days, about 80 days, about 100 days, about 120 days, about 140
days, or about 150 days.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless tobacco
product embodiment, taken across the width of the product, showing
an outer pouch filled with a smokeless tobacco composition of the
present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a line graph illustrating the moisture content
over a storage period for certain embodiments of smokeless tobacco
compositions of the disclosure relative to a control smokeless
tobacco composition which has not been stabilized;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a line graph illustrating the pH for certain
embodiments of smokeless tobacco compositions of the disclosure
over a storage period, relative to a control smokeless tobacco
composition which has not been stabilized;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a line graph illustrating the nitrite content for
certain embodiments of smokeless tobacco compositions of the
disclosure over a storage period, relative to a control smokeless
tobacco composition which has not been stabilized;
[0037] FIG. 5 is another line graph illustrating the nitrite
content for certain embodiments of smokeless tobacco compositions
of the disclosure over a storage period, relative to a control
smokeless tobacco composition which has not been stabilized;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a line graph illustrating the tobacco-specific
nitrosamine (TSNA) content for certain embodiments of smokeless
tobacco compositions of the disclosure over a storage period,
relative to a control smokeless tobacco composition which has not
been stabilized;
[0039] FIG. 7 is another line graph illustrating the
tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) content for certain embodiments
of smokeless tobacco compositions of the disclosure over a storage
period, relative to a control smokeless tobacco composition which
has not been stabilized;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a line graph illustrating the level of various
organic acids over a storage period for a control smokeless tobacco
composition which has not been stabilized;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a line graph illustrating the level of various
organic acids over a storage period for an embodiment of a
smokeless tobacco composition of the disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a line graph illustrating the level of various
organic acids over a storage period for another embodiment of a
smokeless tobacco composition of the disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a line graph illustrating the level of various
organic acids over a storage period for yet another embodiment of a
smokeless tobacco composition of the disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 12 is a line graph illustrating the level of nitrite,
acetate and citrate over a storage period for a control smokeless
tobacco composition which has not been stabilized;
[0045] FIG. 13 is a line graph illustrating the level of nitrite,
acetate and citrate over a storage period for an embodiment of a
smokeless tobacco composition of the disclosure; and
[0046] FIG. 14 is a line graph illustrating the acetate content for
certain embodiments of smokeless tobacco compositions of the
disclosure over a storage period, relative to a control smokeless
tobacco composition which has not been stabilized.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] For both customer satisfaction and simplification of
production, it is desirable to provide a moist smokeless tobacco
product with a high moisture content. Moist smokeless tobacco
products with a high moisture content typically exhibit less
storage stability relative to moist smokeless tobacco products
having a lower moisture content. In particular, a high moisture
content is associated with certain degradations in product quality
upon extended product storage, as higher moisture content promotes
microbial growth and enzymatic reactions leading to unfavorable
characteristics. Surprisingly, according to the present disclosure,
it has been found that, in certain embodiments, a combination of an
antioxidant and a preservative provides a moist smokeless tobacco
product which exhibits a favorable profile with respect to one or
more of pH, moisture content, nitrite content, TSNA content, and
organic acid component content over a storage period, relative to a
moist smokeless tobacco product which has not been produced
according to the disclosed method. Accordingly, the present
disclosure provides a method for improving the storage stability of
a moist smokeless tobacco product configured for oral use, and
provides a moist smokeless tobacco product configured for oral use,
the moist smokeless tobacco product comprising a tobacco material,
one or more antioxidants, and one or more preservatives.
[0048] The present disclosure will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to example embodiments thereof. These
example embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may
be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and
the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference
to "dry weight percent" or "dry weight basis" refers to weight on
the basis of dry ingredients (i.e., all ingredients except
water).
Tobacco Formulation
[0049] The moist smokeless tobacco product comprises a tobacco
formulation comprising a tobacco material, one or more antioxidants
and one or more preservatives. The individual components of the
tobacco formulation are described herein below.
Tobacco Material
[0050] The tobacco material of the present disclosure can vary in
species, type, and form. Generally, the tobacco material is
obtained from for a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species.
Example Nicotiana species include N. tabacum, N. rustica, N. alata,
N. arentsii, N. excelsior, N. forgetiana, N. glauca, N. glutinosa,
N. gossei, N. kawakamii, N. knightiana, N. langsdorffi, N.
otophora, N. setchelli, N. sylvestris, N. tomentosa, N.
tomentosiformis, N. undulata, N. x sanderae, N. africana, N.
amplexicaulis, N. benavidesii, N. bonariensis, N. debneyi, N.
longiflora, N. maritina, N. megalosiphon, N. occidentalis, N.
paniculata, N. plumbaginifolia, N. raimondii, N. rosulata, N.
simulans, N. stocktonii, N. suaveolens, N. umbratica, N. velutina,
N. wigandioides, N. acaulis, N. acuminata, N. attenuata, N.
benthamiana, N. cavicola, N. clevelandii, N. cordifolia, N.
corymbosa, N. fragrans, N. goodspeedii, N. linearis, N. miersii, N.
nudicaulis, N. obtusifolia, N. occidentalis subsp. Hersperis, N.
pauciflora, N. petunioides, N. quadrivalvis, N. repanda, N.
rotundifolia, N. solanifolia, and N. spegazzinii. Various
representative other types of plants from the Nicotiana species are
set forth in Goodspeed, The Genus Nicotiana, (Chonica Botanica)
(1954); U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,577 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,066 to
Lawson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,153 to Lawrence, Jr. and U.S.
Pat. No. 8,186,360 to Marshall et al.; each of which is
incorporated herein by reference. Descriptions of various types of
tobaccos, growing practices and harvesting practices are set forth
in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al.
(Eds.) (1999), which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0051] Nicotiana species from which suitable tobacco materials can
be obtained can be derived using genetic-modification or
crossbreeding techniques (e.g., tobacco plants can be genetically
engineered or crossbred to increase or decrease production of
components, characteristics or attributes). See, for example, the
types of genetic modifications of plants set forth in U.S. Pat. No.
5,539,093 to Fitzmaurice et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,295 to Wahab
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,624 to Fitzmaurice et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,844,119 to Weigl; U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,832 to Dominguez et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,173,170 to Liu et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,659
to Colliver et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,230,160 to Benning et al.;
US Patent Appl. Pub. No. 2006/0236434 to Conkling et al.; and PCT
WO2008/103935 to Nielsen et al. See, also, the types of tobaccos
that are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,577 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al.; and U.S. Pat. No.
6,730,832 to Dominguez et al., each of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
[0052] The Nicotiana species can, in some embodiments, be selected
for the content of various compounds that are present therein. For
example, plants can be selected on the basis that those plants
produce relatively high quantities of one or more of the compounds
desired to be isolated therefrom. In certain embodiments, plants of
the Nicotiana species (e.g., Galpao commun tobacco) are
specifically grown for their abundance of leaf surface compounds.
Tobacco plants can be grown in greenhouses, growth chambers, or
outdoors in fields, or grown hydroponically.
[0053] Various parts or portions of the plant of the Nicotiana
species can be included within a tobacco formulation as disclosed
herein. For example, virtually all of the plant (e.g., the whole
plant) can be harvested, and employed as such. Alternatively,
various parts or pieces of the plant can be harvested or separated
for further use after harvest. For example, the flower, leaves,
stem, stalk, roots, seeds, and various combinations thereof, can be
isolated for further use or treatment. In some embodiments, the
tobacco material comprises tobacco leaf (lamina). The tobacco
formulations disclosed herein can have the form of processed
tobacco parts or pieces, cured and aged tobacco in essentially
natural lamina and/or stem form, a tobacco extract, extracted
tobacco pulp (e.g., using water as a solvent), or a mixture of the
foregoing (e.g., a mixture that combines extracted tobacco pulp
with granulated cured and aged natural tobacco lamina).
[0054] In certain embodiments, the tobacco material comprises solid
tobacco material selected from the group consisting of lamina and
stems. The tobacco that is used for the tobacco formulation most
preferably includes tobacco lamina, or a tobacco lamina and stem
mixture (of which at least a portion is smoke-treated). Portions of
the tobaccos within the tobacco formulation may have processed
forms, such as processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut-rolled stems,
cut-rolled-expanded stems or cut-puffed stems), or volume expanded
tobacco (e.g., puffed tobacco, such as dry ice expanded tobacco
(DIET)). See, for example, the tobacco expansion processes set
forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,073 to de la Burde et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,259,403 to Guy et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,032 to
Poindexter, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,047 to Poindexter, et
al., all of which are incorporated by reference. In addition, the
tobacco formulation optionally may incorporate tobacco that has
been fermented. See, also, the types of tobacco processing
techniques set forth in PCT WO2005/063060 to Atchley et al., which
is incorporated herein by reference.
[0055] The tobacco material is typically used in a form that can be
described as particulate (i.e., shredded, ground, granulated, or
powder form). The manner by which the tobacco material is provided
in a finely divided or powder type of form may vary. Preferably,
plant parts or pieces are comminuted, ground or pulverized into a
particulate form using equipment and techniques for grinding,
milling, or the like. Most preferably, the plant material is
relatively dry in form during grinding or milling, using equipment
such as hammer mills, cutter heads, air control mills, or the like.
For example, tobacco parts or pieces may be ground or milled when
the moisture content thereof is less than about 15 weight percent
or less than about 5 weight percent. Most preferably, the tobacco
material is employed in the form of parts or pieces that have an
average particle size between 1.4 millimeters and 250 microns. In
some instances, the tobacco particles may be sized to pass through
a screen mesh to obtain the particle size range required. If
desired, air classification equipment may be used to ensure that
small sized tobacco particles of the desired sizes, or range of
sizes, may be collected. If desired, differently sized pieces of
granulated tobacco may be mixed together.
[0056] The manner by which the tobacco is provided in a finely
divided or powder type of form may vary. Preferably, tobacco parts
or pieces are comminuted, ground or pulverized into a powder type
of form using equipment and techniques for grinding, milling, or
the like. Most preferably, the tobacco is relatively dry in form
during grinding or milling, using equipment such as hammer mills,
cutter heads, air control mills, or the like. For example, tobacco
parts or pieces may be ground or milled when the moisture content
thereof is less than about 15 weight percent to less than about 5
weight percent. The tobacco material can be processed to provide it
in the desired form before and/or after being subjected to the
method comprising mixing the tobacco material with one or more
antioxidants and one or more preservatives to form the tobacco
formulation described herein.
[0057] For example, the tobacco plant or portion thereof can be
separated into individual parts or pieces (e.g., the leaves can be
removed from the stems, and/or the stems and leaves can be removed
from the stalk). The harvested plant or individual parts or pieces
can be further subdivided into parts or pieces (e.g., the leaves
can be shredded, cut, comminuted, pulverized, milled or ground into
pieces or parts that can be characterized as filler-type pieces,
granules, particulates or fine powders). The plant, or parts
thereof, can be subjected to external forces or pressure (e.g., by
being pressed or subjected to roll treatment). When carrying out
such processing conditions, the plant or portion thereof can have a
moisture content that approximates its natural moisture content
(e.g., its moisture content immediately upon harvest), a moisture
content achieved by adding moisture to the plant or portion
thereof, or a moisture content that results from the drying of the
plant or portion thereof. For example, powdered, pulverized, ground
or milled pieces of plants or portions thereof can have moisture
contents of less than about 25 weight percent, often less than
about 20 weight percent, and frequently less than about 15 weight
percent.
[0058] For the preparation of moist smokeless tobacco products, it
is typical for a harvested plant of the Nicotiana species to be
subjected to a curing process. The tobacco materials incorporated
within tobacco formulations for inclusion within moist smokeless
tobacco products as disclosed herein are those that have been
appropriately cured and/or aged. Descriptions of various types of
curing processes for various types of tobaccos are set forth in
Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.)
(1999). Examples of techniques and conditions for curing flue-cured
tobacco are set forth in Nestor et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int.,
20, 467-475 (2003) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,974 to Peele, which are
incorporated herein by reference. Representative techniques and
conditions for air curing tobacco are set forth in U.S. Pat. No.
7,650,892 to Groves et al.; Roton et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch.
Int., 21, 305-320 (2005) and Staaf et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch.
Int., 21, 321-330 (2005), which are incorporated herein by
reference. Certain types of tobaccos can be subjected to
alternative types of curing processes, such as fire curing or sun
curing.
[0059] In certain embodiments, tobacco materials that can be
employed include flue-cured or Virginia (e.g., K326), burley,
sun-cured (e.g., Indian Kurnool and Oriental tobaccos, including
Katerini, Prelip, Komotini, Xanthi and Yambol tobaccos), Maryland,
dark, dark-fired, dark air cured (e.g., Madole, Passanda, Cubano,
Jatin and Bezuki tobaccos), light air cured (e.g., North Wisconsin
and Galpao tobaccos), Indian air cured, Red Russian and Rustica
tobaccos, as well as various other rare or specialty tobaccos and
various blends of any of the foregoing tobaccos.
[0060] The tobacco within a tobacco formulation also may have a
so-called "blended" form. For example, the tobacco within a tobacco
formulation of the present disclosure may include a mixture of
parts or pieces of flue-cured, burley (e.g., Malawi burley tobacco)
and Oriental tobaccos (e.g., as tobacco composed of, or derived
from, tobacco lamina, or a mixture of tobacco lamina and tobacco
stem). For example, a representative blend may incorporate about 30
to about 70 parts burley tobacco (e.g., lamina, or lamina and
stem), and about 30 to about 70 parts flue cured tobacco (e.g.,
stem, lamina, or lamina and stem) on a dry weight basis. Other
example tobacco blends incorporate about 75 parts flue-cured
tobacco, about 15 parts burley tobacco, and about 10 parts Oriental
tobacco; or about 65 parts flue-cured tobacco, about 25 parts
burley tobacco, and about 10 parts Oriental tobacco; or about 65
parts flue-cured tobacco, about 10 parts burley tobacco, and about
25 parts Oriental tobacco; on a dry weight basis. Other example
tobacco blends incorporate about 20 to about 30 parts Oriental
tobacco and about 70 to about 80 parts flue-cured tobacco.
[0061] The tobacco materials described in the present invention can
be treated and/or processed in other ways before or after mixing
the tobacco material with the one or more antioxidants and the one
or more preservatives to form the tobacco formulation. Tobacco
materials used in the present disclosure can be subjected to, for
example, fermentation, bleaching, and the like. If desired, the
tobacco materials can be, for example, irradiated, pasteurized, or
otherwise subjected to controlled heat treatment. Such treatment
processes are detailed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,362 to
Mua et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. In certain
embodiments, tobacco materials can be treated with water and an
additive capable of inhibiting reaction of asparagine to form
acrylamide upon heating of the tobacco material (e.g., an additive
selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine,
alanine, methionine, cysteine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid,
proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, compositions
incorporating di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, certain
non-reducing saccharides, certain reducing agents, phenolic
compounds, certain compounds having at least one free thiol group
or functionality, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, natural
plant extracts (e.g., rosemary extract), and combinations thereof.
See, for example, the types of treatment processes described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,434,496, 8,944,072, and 8,991,403 to Chen et al.,
which are all incorporated herein by reference. In certain
embodiments, this type of treatment is useful where the original
tobacco material is subjected to heat in the processes previously
described.
[0062] In some embodiments, the one or more antioxidants and one or
more preservatives as disclosed herein are admixed with a tobacco
material prior to or during a fermentation step. In some
embodiments, the one or more antioxidants and one or more
preservatives as disclosed herein are admixed with a tobacco
material after a fermentation step.
[0063] The moisture content of the moist smokeless tobacco product,
the tobacco formulation, and the tobacco material as disclosed
herein can vary. It is generally desirable to provide a moist
smokeless tobacco product having a particular range of moisture
content. In some embodiments, the tobacco formulation comprises a
tobacco material having a moisture content of from about 40% to
about 70%, about 45 to about 65%, or about 50 to about 60%. In some
embodiments, the tobacco formulation comprises a tobacco material
having a moisture content of from about 50% to about 60%.
Antioxidants and Preservatives
[0064] The tobacco formulation as disclosed herein comprises one or
more antioxidants. As used herein, the term "antioxidant" refers to
a compound added to the formulation to prevent or suppress
oxidation by terminating free radical reactions. Particularly in
the context of high moisture content tobacco materials as disclosed
herein, the presence oxygen and/or free radicals may lead to
undesirable oxidation reactions resulting in degradation of certain
product characteristics during storage. Without wishing to be bound
be theory, it is believed that the presence of antioxidants
suppresses oxidation reactions which otherwise may result in
diminishing acetate and citrate concentration, and increasing
nitrite and TSNA concentration, during storage.
[0065] In some embodiments, the one or more antioxidants are
selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, sodium
ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, citric acid,
Vitamin E or a derivative thereof, a tocopherol, propyl gallate,
octyl gallate, dodecyl gallate, monosterol citrate, epicatechol,
epigallocatechol, epigallocatechol gallate, erythorbic acid, sodium
erythorbate, 4-Hexylresorcinol, theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate
A or B, theaflavin digallate, phenolic acids, glycosides,
quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, polyphenols, catechols,
resveratrols, oleuropein, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), and
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the antioxidant is
TBHQ.
[0066] The quantity of antioxidant added to the tobacco material,
as well as the antioxidant concentration in the formulation over
time, can vary. In some embodiments, the one or more antioxidants
are added in an amount to provide an initial total antioxidant
concentration in the tobacco formulation of from about 1 part per
million (ppm) to about 1000 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 500
ppm, or from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm by weight on a dry
weight basis. For example, in some embodiments, the initial total
antioxidant concentration is about 1000 ppm, about 900 ppm, about
800 ppm, about 700 ppm, about 600 ppm, about 500 ppm, about 400
ppm, about 300 ppm, about 250 ppm, about 200 ppm, about 150 ppm, or
about 100 ppm.
[0067] The tobacco formulation as disclosed herein comprises one or
more preservatives. As used herein, the term "preservative" refers
to a substance added to the formulation to prevent decomposition
associated with microbial growth. Particularly in the context of
high moisture content tobacco materials as disclosed herein,
microbial growth may lead to undesirable enzymatic reactions
resulting in degradation of certain product characteristics during
storage. Without wishing to be bound be theory, it is believed that
the presence of preservatives has a synergistic effect with
antioxidants in diminishing formation of nitrite and TSNAs, and
maintaining the presence of desirable organic acids, moisture
content, and pH.
[0068] In some embodiments, the one or more preservatives are
selected from the group consisting of methylparaben, propylparaben,
sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the preservative is
propylparaben. The quantity of preservative added to the tobacco
material can vary, as can the quantity of preservative present in
the formulation over a storage period. In some embodiments, the one
or more preservatives are added in an amount to provide an initial
total preservative concentration in the tobacco formulation of from
about 1 part per million (ppm) to about 10,000 ppm, from about 10
ppm to about 5000 ppm, or from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm by
weight on a dry weight basis. For example, in some embodiments, the
initial total preservative concentration is about 10,000 ppm, about
5000 ppm, about 2500 ppm, about 1000 ppm, about 900 ppm, about 800
ppm, about 700 ppm, about 600 ppm, about 500 ppm, about 400 ppm,
about 300 ppm, about 250 ppm, about 200 ppm, about 150 ppm, or
about 100 ppm. One of skill in the art will recognize that
antioxidant may decrease from the initial concentration over the
time of the storage period due to consumption in free radical
oxidation reactions.
[0069] In specific embodiments, the antioxidant is TBHQ and the
preservative is propylparaben. In specific embodiments, the initial
concentration of TBHQ is about 300 ppm, and the initial
concentration of propylparaben is about 1000 ppm.
Additional Components
[0070] Depending on the type of moist smokeless tobacco product
desired, the tobacco formulation as disclosed herein can include
one or more additional components beyond the tobacco material,
antioxidants, and preservatives as described above. For example,
the tobacco material can be processed, blended, formulated,
combined and/or mixed with other materials or ingredients, such as
other tobacco materials or flavorants, fillers, binders, pH
adjusters, buffering agents, salts, sweeteners, colorants, oral
care additives, disintegration aids, and humectants. See, for
example, those representative components, combination of
components, relative amounts of those components and ingredients
relative to tobacco, and manners and methods for employing those
components, set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 9,237,769 to Mua et al. and
U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,728 to Holton, Jr. et al. and US Pat. App. Pub.
No. 2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. et al., each of which is
incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiment, the moist
smokeless tobacco product further comprises one or more additional
components selected from the group consisting of flavorants,
fillers, binders, pH adjusters, buffering agents, colorants,
disintegration aids, and humectants.
[0071] As used herein, a "flavorant" or "flavoring agent" is any
flavorful or aromatic substance capable of altering the sensory
characteristics associated with the smokeless tobacco composition.
Examples of sensory characteristics that can be modified by the
flavorant include taste, mouthfeel, moistness, coolness/heat,
and/or fragrance/aroma. Examples of flavorants that can be used are
components, or suitable combinations of those components, that act
to alter the bitterness, sweetness, sourness, or saltiness of the
smokeless tobacco product, enhance the perceived dryness or
moistness of the formulation, or the degree of tobacco taste
exhibited by the formulation. Flavorants may be natural or
synthetic, and the character of the flavors imparted thereby may be
described, without limitation, as fresh, sweet, herbal,
confectionary, floral, fruity, or spicy. Specific types of flavors
include, but are not limited to, vanilla, coffee, chocolate/cocoa,
cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen,
eucalyptus, lavender, cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove,
cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage,
licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry,
and any combinations thereof. See also, Leffingwell et al., Tobacco
Flavoring for Smoking Products, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
(1972), which is incorporated herein by reference. Flavorings also
may include components that are considered moistening, cooling or
smoothening agents, such as eucalyptus. These flavors may be
provided neat (i.e., alone) or in a composite (e.g., spearmint and
menthol, or orange and cinnamon). Representative types of
components also are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White
et al.; US Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0244521 to Strickland et al.;
and PCT Application Pub. No. WO 05/041699 to Quinter et al., each
of which is incorporated herein by reference. Types of flavorants
include salts (e.g., sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium
citrate, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, and
the like), natural sweeteners (e.g., fructose, sucrose, glucose,
maltose, mannose, galactose, lactose, and the like), artificial
sweeteners (e.g., sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K,
neotame, and the like); and mixtures thereof. The amount of
flavorants utilized in the tobacco formulation can vary, but is
typically up to about 10 dry weight percent, and certain
embodiments are characterized by a flavorant content of at least
about 1 dry weight percent, such as about 1 to about 10 dry weight
percent. Sweeteners can be used in natural or artificial form or as
a combination of artificial and natural sweeteners. In one
embodiment, sucralose is a primary sweetener ingredient. When
present, a representative amount of sweetener, whether an
artificial sweetener and/or natural sugar, may make up at least
about 0.2 percent or at least about 5 percent, of the total dry
weight of the composition. Preferably, the amount of sweetener
within the composition will not exceed about 40 percent, often will
not exceed about 35 percent, and frequently will not exceed about
30 percent, of the total dry weight of the composition.
Combinations of flavorants are often used, such as about 0.1 to
about 2 dry weight percent of an artificial sweetener, about 0.5 to
about 8 dry weight percent of a salt such as sodium chloride and
about 1 to about 5 dry weight percent of an additional
flavoring.
[0072] The smokeless tobacco compositions of the disclosure may
typically include at least one filler ingredient in addition to the
polysaccharide filler component. Such components of the composition
often fulfill multiple functions, such as enhancing certain
organoleptic properties such as texture and mouthfeel, enhancing
cohesiveness or compressibility of the product, and the like.
Examples of filler materials include vegetable fiber materials such
as sugar beet fiber materials (e.g., FIBREX.RTM. brand filler
available from International Fiber Corporation), oats or other
cereal grain (including processed or puffed grains), bran fibers,
starch, or other modified or natural cellulosic materials such as
microcrystalline cellulose. Additional specific examples include
corn starch, maltodextrin, dextrose, calcium carbonate, calcium
phosphate, lactose, manitol, xylitol, and sorbitol. The amount of
filler, where utilized in the tobacco formulation, can vary, but is
typically up to about 20 dry weight percent, and certain
embodiments are characterized by a filler content of up to about 10
dry weight percent, up to about 5 dry weight percent or up to about
1 dry weight percent. Combinations of fillers can also be used.
[0073] A binder may be employed in amounts sufficient to provide
the desired physical attributes and physical integrity to the
smokeless tobacco composition. Typical binders can be organic or
inorganic, or a combination thereof. Representative binders include
povidone, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and other modified
cellulosic materials, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, starch-based
binders, gum arabic, pectin, carrageenan, pullulan, zein, guar gum,
ghatti gum, gum tragacanth, karaya gum, locust bean gum, gellan
gum, and the like, and combinations thereof. The amount of binder
utilized in the tobacco formulation can vary, but is typically up
to about 30 dry weight percent, and certain embodiments are
characterized by a binder content of at least about 5 dry weight
percent, such as about 5 to about 30 dry weight percent.
[0074] An emulsifier may be employed in amounts sufficient to
provide desired stabilization attributes to the smokeless tobacco
composition. When present, a representative amount of emulsifier
will typically make up less than about 5 percent of the total dry
weight of the composition.
[0075] Preferred pH adjusters or buffering agents provide and/or
buffer within a pH range of about 6 to about 10, and example agents
include metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, metal bicarbonates, and
mixtures thereof. Specific example materials include citric acid,
sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium
carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. The amount of pH adjuster or
buffering material utilized in the tobacco formulation can vary,
but is typically up to about 5 dry weight percent, and certain
embodiments can be characterized by a pH adjuster/buffer content of
less than about 0.5 dry weight percent, such as about 0.05 to about
0.2 dry weight percent. Particularly in embodiments comprising an
extract clarified by distillation, the pH may be lowered by the
addition of one or more pH adjusters (e.g., citric acid).
[0076] A colorant may be employed in amounts sufficient to provide
the desired physical attributes to the tobacco formulation.
Examples of colorants include various dyes and pigments, such as
caramel coloring and titanium dioxide. The amount of colorant
utilized in the tobacco formulation can vary, but is typically up
to about 3 dry weight percent, and certain embodiments are
characterized by a colorant content of at least about 0.1 dry
weight percent, such as about 0.5 to about 3 dry weight
percent.
[0077] A humectant (e.g., glycerin) may be employed in amounts
sufficient to provide desired moisture attributes to the smokeless
tobacco composition. When present, a representative amount of
humectant will typically make up at least about 1 percent of the
total dry weight of the composition, and often at least about 2
percent by weight. In certain embodiments, the amount of humectants
is at least about 10 dry weight percent or at least about 20 dry
weight percent. An example dry weight range is about 1 to about 40
weight percent, more often about 3 to about 35 dry weight
percent.
[0078] Other ingredients such as disintegration aids (e.g.,
microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone,
sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized corn starch, and the like)
can also be used. Typically, such ingredients, where used, are used
in amounts of up to about 10 dry weight percent and usually at
least about 0.1 dry weight percent, such as about 0.5 to about 10
dry weight percent. A disintegration aid is generally employed in
an amount sufficient to provide control of desired physical
attributes of the tobacco formulation such as, for example, by
providing loss of physical integrity and dispersion of the various
component materials upon contact of the formulation with water
(e.g., by undergoing swelling upon contact with water).
[0079] As noted, in some embodiments, any of the components
described above can be added in an encapsulated form (e.g., in the
form of microcapsules), the encapsulated form a wall or barrier
structure defining an inner region and isolating the inner region
permanently or temporarily from the tobacco composition. The inner
region includes a payload of an additive either adapted for
enhancing one or more sensory characteristics of the smokeless
tobacco product, such as taste, mouthfeel, moistness,
coolness/heat, and/or fragrance, or adapted for adding an
additional functional quality to the smokeless tobacco product.
See, for example, the subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,362 to
Mua et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0080] Representative tobacco formulations may incorporate about
80% to about 95% percent tobacco material, and in addition to the
one or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives as disclosed
herein, about 0.1% to about 5% artificial sweetener, about 0.5% to
about 2% salt, about 1% to about 5% flavoring, about 1% to about 5%
humectants (e.g., propylene glycol), and up to about 10% pH
adjuster or buffering agent (e.g., sodium bicarbonate or citric
acid), based on the total dry weight of the tobacco formulation.
The particular percentages and choice of ingredients will vary
depending upon the desired flavor, texture, and other
characteristics.
Method of Improving Storage Stability and Improved Storage
Stability Characteristics
[0081] The method of improving the storage stability as disclosed
herein generally comprises mixing the tobacco material as disclosed
herein with one or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives
as disclosed herein to form a tobacco formulation. The components
of the tobacco formulation can be brought together in admixture
using any mixing technique or equipment known in the art. The
components noted above, which may be in liquid or dry solid form,
can be admixed with tobacco material in a pretreatment step prior
to mixture with any remaining components of the formulation or
simply mixed with the tobacco material together with all other
liquid or dry ingredients. Any mixing method that brings the
tobacco formulation ingredients into intimate contact can be used.
A mixing apparatus featuring an impeller or other structure capable
of agitation is typically used. Examples of mixing equipment
include casing drums, conditioning cylinders or drums, liquid spray
apparatus, conical-type blenders, ribbon blenders, mixers available
as FKM130, FKM600, FKM1200, FKM2000 and FKM3000 from Littleford
Day, Inc., Plough Share types of mixer cylinders, and the like. As
such, the overall mixture of various components with the tobacco
material may be relatively uniform in nature. See also, for
example, the types of methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No.
4,148,325 to Solomon et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,855 to Korte et
al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 to Williams, each of which is
incorporated herein by reference. Manners and methods for
formulating snus-type tobacco formulations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art of snus tobacco product production.
[0082] In some embodiments, the one or more antioxidants and one or
more preservatives as disclosed herein are admixed with a moist
smokeless tobacco prior to fermentation. In some embodiments the
one or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives as disclosed
herein are admixed with a tobacco material after a fermentation
step. In some embodiments the one or more antioxidants and one or
more preservatives as disclosed herein are admixed with a tobacco
material both before and after a fermentation step
[0083] The moist smokeless tobacco product provided herein exhibits
improved storage stability relative to a control smokeless tobacco
product which does not contain the one or more antioxidants and the
one or more preservatives as described herein. The improvement in
stability with respect to storage comprises maintaining or
improving a number of characteristics of the moist smokeless
tobacco product over a storage period.
[0084] Nitrosamines (containing the nitroso-amine group,
N--N.dbd.O) are known to be present in air, foods, beverages,
cosmetics, and even pharmaceuticals. Preussman, R. et al., In
Chemical Carcinogens, 2nd ed., Vol. 2, Searle, C. E. (Ed.); ACS
Monograph 182; 1984; pp 829-868. Tobacco and tobacco smoke also are
known to contain nitrosamines. Green et al. Rec. Adv. Tob. Sci.
1996, 22, 131. Tobacco is known to contain a class of nitrosamines
known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Hecht, S. Chem.
Res. Toxicol. 1998, 11, 6, 559-603; Hecht, S. Mut. Res. 1999, 424,
1-2, 127-142. TSNAs have been reported to be present in smokeless
tobacco (see, e.g., Brunnemann, K. et al. Canc. Lett. 1987, 37,
7-16, Tricker, A. Canc. Lett. 1988, 42, 113-118, Andersen, R. et
al. Canc. Res. 1989, 49, 5895-5900); cigarette smoke (see, e.g.,
Spiegelhalder, B. et al. Euro. J. Canc. Prev. 1996, 5, 1, 33-38;
Hoffmann, D. et al. J. Toxicol. Env. Hlth. 1997, 50, 307-364;
Borgerding, M. et al. Food Chem. Toxicol. 1998, 36, 169-182);
nicotine-containing gum (see, e.g., Osterdahl, B.-G. Food Chem.
Toxic. 1990, 28, 9, 619-622); and a nicotine-containing transdermal
patch (see, e.g., Adlkofer, F. In Effects of Nicotine on Biological
Systems II, Clarke, P. et al. (Eds.); 1998, pp 17-25).
[0085] TSNAs are classified as electrophilic alkylating agents, and
it is therefore desirable to minimize their presence in tobacco
products to reduce the potential for consumer exposure. Examples of
TSNAs are N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN),
4-methyl-N-nitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK),
N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT),
4-methyl-N-nitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), and
N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB). The two TSNAs of greatest concern are
N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and
4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). Of these
two, NNK is of the greatest concern.
[0086] Green and freshly harvested tobaccos have been reported to
be virtually free of TSNAs. Parsons, A. Tob. Sci. 1986, 30, 81-82;
Spiegelhalder, B. et al. Euro. J. Canc. Prey. 1996, 5, 1, 33-38;
Brunnemann, K. et al. J. Toxicol.-Clin. Toxicol. 1982-3, 19,
6&7, 661-668; Andersen, R. et al. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1989,
37, 1, 44-50; Djordjevic, M. et al. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1989, 37,
752-756. However, it has been observed that TSNAs form during the
post-harvest processing to which tobacco is subjected. Tricker, A.
Canc. Lett. 1998, 42, 113-118; Chamberlain, W. et al. J. Agric.
Food Chem. 1988, 36, 48-50. TSNAs are recognized as being formed
when tobacco alkaloids, such as nicotine and nornicotine, are
nitrosated by reaction between nitrite and tobacco alkaloids.
Hecht, S. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 1998, 11, 6, 559-603. This
nitrosation may occur during the processing and storage of tobacco,
and by combustion of tobacco containing nicotine and nornicotine in
a nitrate-rich environment.
[0087] Significant efforts have been expended towards studying the
mechanism of TSNA formation during tobacco curing. For example, it
has been postulated that TSNAs form during the air-curing of Burley
tobacco as a result of microbial mediated conversion of nitrate to
nitrite. Once the conversion to nitrite is effected, numerous
reactive nitrogen/oxygen compounds can be produced in a cascade of
chemical conversions of nitrous acid to dinitrogen trioxide,
dinitrogen tetroxide and nitric oxide, for example. TSNAs are
formed by the subsequent reaction of these nitrate-derived chemical
species with alkaloids present in the tobacco. Hamilton et al. Tob.
Sci. 26, 133-137 (1982); Burton, H. et al. J. Agric. Food Chem.
1992, 40, 1050-1055; Bush et al., Coresta Bulletin Information
1995, Abstract, 9814; Wiernik, A. et al. Rec. Adv. Tob. Sci. 21,
39-80 (1995); Cui et al., TCRC (1996); deRoton, C. et al. Beitrage
Tabakforsch. Int. 2005, 21, 6, 305-320; and Staaf, M. et al.,
Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int. 2005, 21, 6, 321-330. Specifically,
bacteria (e.g., gram negative bacteria) can produce the enzyme
nitrate reductase, which converts nitrates to nitrite and nitric
oxide; nitric oxide can subsequently react with precursor tobacco
alkaloids to produce TSNAs. Additionally, for example, it has been
postulated that TSNAs form during the flue-curing of Virginia
tobaccos due to interaction of those tobaccos with nitric oxide
combustion products present in exhaust gases produced during use of
so-called direct-fired flue-curing barns. U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,406
to Peele; Nestor et al. Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int. 2003, 20,
467-475; see also U.S. Pat. No. 7,650,892 to Groves et al.
[0088] Various efforts to reduce TSNA levels by modifying the
growth or curing process have been attempted. See, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,343,317 and 4,347,859 to Bokelman; U.S. Pat. No.
5,803,081 to O'Donnell; U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,649 to Williams; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,805,134 to Peele; U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,564 to Perfetti et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,406 to Peele; U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,300 to
Li et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,538 to Chen et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
9,155,334 to Moldoveanu et al.; US Pat. Pub. Nos. 2016/0331020 and
US2013/0269719 to Marshall et al., PCT Appl. Publ. Nos. WO 83/01180
to Malik; WO 98/05226 and WO 98/58555 to Williams; WO 01/35770 and
WO 02/13636 to Hempfling et al., and WO 03/094639 to Koga et al.,
and Muller et al. Molec. Gen. Genet. 1987, 161, 67-76, which are
all incorporated herein by reference.
[0089] Additional efforts to reduce or remove TSNAs from tobacco
products have been directed toward preventing their formation by 1)
inhibiting conversion of nitrate to nitrite; and 2) decreasing the
concentration of nitrate present in harvested tobacco leaves. To
inhibit reduction of nitrate in the tobacco leaves to nitrite by
the function of the nitrate-reducing enzymes produced by
microorganisms present on the tobacco leaf surface during the
curing process, methods have been proposed to remove or reduce the
concentration of such microorganisms. For example, a method of
removing such microorganisms by washing with bicarbonate of soda
has been reported in PCT Appl. Publ. No. WO 01/35770 to Hempfling
et al. Also reported is a method of killing microorganisms with
chlorine dioxide gas in PCT Appl. Publ. No. WO 02/13636 to
Hempfling et al. Efforts have also been directed toward reducing or
eliminating the presence of microorganisms responsible for
producing nitrate-reducing enzymes on tobacco leaves by promoting a
competitive overgrowth of microorganisms which do not produce
nitrate reducing enzymes. For example, PCT Appl. Publ. No. WO
83/01180 to Malik et al. discloses use of a microorganism derived
from tobacco leaves. However, while the disclosed method made it
possible to decrease the content of nitrate and nitrogen compounds
in cured tobacco leaves, it proved insufficient to efficiently
reduce TSNA content. U.S. Pat. No. 7,549,425 discloses a method of
reducing TSNA content comprising treating tobacco leaves with
microorganisms from the Enterobacter or Pantoea genus. Treatment
with probiotics to alter the microbiome present on tobacco leaves
has also been disclosed, in, for example, US Patent Application
Publication No. 2013/0269719 to Marshall et al.
[0090] Despite such efforts to remove or prevent formation of TSNAs
in tobacco, it would be useful to provide methods for the
prevention of formation of at least a portion of the TSNAs in moist
smokeless tobacco products which may otherwise form during storage,
and to provide moist smokeless tobacco products having a lower
concentration of TSNAs after a storage period. As disclosed herein,
high moisture content smokeless tobacco products, by virtue of
their high moisture content, are more susceptible to formation of
TSNAs during storage. Therefore, methods for reducing formation of
TSNAs during storage is particularly valuable for high moisture
smokeless tobacco products such as those described herein.
[0091] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the moist smokeless
tobacco product as disclosed herein is characterized, after a
storage period of at least about 10 days, by a tobacco-specific
nitrosamine (TSNA) concentration that is reduced relative to a
control moist smokeless tobacco product which does not comprise the
one or more antioxidants and the one or more preservatives. The
TSNA concentration may be measured in various units, for example in
relative measures (e.g., weight %, parts per million (ppm),
.mu.g/gram, mmol/gram, and the like). Methods for quantitating TSNA
concentration are known in the art, for example, using quantitative
liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS).
[0092] In certain embodiments, the TSNA concentration can vary but
generally, a moist smokeless tobacco product as described herein,
after a storage period, will comprise between about 10% and about
90% by weight on a dry weight basis of TSNAs generally as compared
with the amount of TSNAs present in a comparable moist smokeless
tobacco product which does not comprise the one or more
antioxidants and the one or more preservatives as described herein.
For example, in certain embodiments, moist smokeless tobacco
product may exhibit at least a 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%,
80%, 90%, or greater than 90% decrease in the concentration of one
or more than one TSNA by weight on a dry weight basis as compared
with a control moist smokeless tobacco product which does not
comprise the one or more antioxidants and the one or more
preservatives as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the moist
smokeless tobacco product is characterized, after a storage period
of at least about 10 days, by a TSNA concentration below about 50
ppm on a dry weight basis.
[0093] In some embodiments, the TSNA that is reduced in
concentration in the moist smokeless tobacco product after a
storage period is NNN, NNK, NAT, NAB, or any combination thereof.
For example, in some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco
product is characterized, after a storage period of at least about
10 days, by a the NNN content of less than about 50 ppm, less than
about 25 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less
than about 9 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 7 ppm,
less than about 6 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, less than about 4
ppm, less than about 3 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, or less than
about 1 ppm.
[0094] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a the NNK content of less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25
ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than
about 9 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 7 ppm, less
than about 6 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, less than about 4 ppm,
less than about 3 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, or less than about 1
ppm.
[0095] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a the NAT content of less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25
ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than
about 9 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 7 ppm, less
than about 6 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, less than about 4 ppm,
less than about 3 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, or less than about 1
ppm.
[0096] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a the NAB content of less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25
ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than
about 9 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 7 ppm, less
than about 6 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, less than about 4 ppm,
less than about 3 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, or less than about 1
ppm.
[0097] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
advantageously characterized, after a storage period of at least
about 10 days, by a total combined NNN, NAT, NAB, and NNK content
less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25 ppm, less than about 20
ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than about 9 ppm, less than about
8 ppm, less than about 7 ppm, less than about 6 ppm, less than
about 5 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, less than about 3 ppm, less
than about 2 ppm, or less than about 1 ppm.
[0098] In some embodiments, a total combined tobacco-specific
nitrosamines (TSNA) concentration is maintained below about 50 ppm
on a dry weight basis for a storage period of at least about 10
days. In some embodiments, a TSNA concentration of the tobacco
formulation is reduced over a storage period of at least about 10
days relative to a control tobacco formulation which does not
contain the one or more antioxidants and the one or more
preservatives.
[0099] As disclosed herein above, the presence of nitrite in a
tobacco material may, under certain conditions, be associated with
production of TSNAs by nitrosation during storage. Accordingly, it
is desirable to maintain a low concentration of nitrite to prevent
such reaction. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the moist
smokeless tobacco product as disclosed herein is characterized,
after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by a
concentration of nitrite below about 10 ppm. In some embodiments, a
concentration of nitrite is maintained below about 10 ppm for a
storage period of at least about 10 days. Without wishing to be
bound by theory, it is believed that the particular combination of
an antioxidant and a preservative as described herein has a
synergistic effect on the enzymatic and/or chemical reactions
responsible for creation of nitrite and/or TSNAs.
[0100] It is generally desirable to provide a moist smokeless
tobacco product having a certain concentration of various organic
acids which contribute to the flavor profile of the product.
Preferably, acetic acid and citric acid (measured as acetate and
citrate, respectively) are present in a higher concentration
relative to malic and lactic acids. Various microbial and enzymatic
reactions occurring during storage contribute to the particular
distribution of organic acids which may be present. Surprisingly,
it has been found that the presence of a preservative and
antioxidant effectively maintains a desirable concentration of
acetate and citrate, while suppressing formation of lactate and
malate. In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
characterized, after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by
a concentration of citrate between about 1% and about 2%. In some
embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is characterized,
after a storage period of at least about 10 days, by a
concentration of acetate between about 1% and about 4%. In some
embodiments, a concentration of citrate in the tobacco formulation
is maintained between about 1% and about 2% for a storage period of
at least about 10 days. In some embodiments, a concentration of
acetate is maintained between about 1% and about 4% over a storage
period of at least about 10 days.
[0101] The moisture content of the moist smokeless tobacco product,
prior to use by a consumer, may vary. In some embodiments, the
moist smokeless tobacco product has a moisture content of from
about 40% to about 70%, about 45 to about 65%, or about 50 to about
60%. Typically, the moisture content of the product is less than
about 55 weight percent, generally is less than about 50 weight
percent, and often is less than about 45 weight percent. For
certain tobacco products, such as those incorporating snus-types of
tobacco compositions, the moisture content may exceed 20 weight
percent, and often may exceed 30 weight percent. For example, a
representative snus-type product may possess a tobacco composition
exhibiting a moisture content of about 20 weight percent to about
50 weight percent, preferably about 20 weight percent to about 40
weight percent.
[0102] In some embodiments, the tobacco formulation comprises a
tobacco material having a water activity (Aw) of from about 0.85 to
about 0.88. As used herein, the term "water activity" or "Aw"
refers to the partial vapor pressure of water in a tobacco material
divided by the partial vapor pressure of pure water at the same
temperature. According to this definition, pure distilled water has
an Aw of exactly one. In some embodiments, a water activity (Aw)
value is maintained between about 0.85 and about 0.88 for a storage
period of at least about 10 days. In some embodiments, the moist
smokeless tobacco product is characterized, after a storage period
of at least about 10 days, by an Aw value between about 0.85 and
about 0.88.
[0103] The acidity or alkalinity of the tobacco formulation, which
is often characterized in terms of pH, can vary. Typically, the pH
of that formulation is at least about 6.5, and preferably at least
about 7.5. Typically, the pH of that formulation will not exceed
about 9, and often will not exceed about 8.5. A representative
tobacco formulation exhibits a pH of about 6.8 to about 8.2 (e.g.,
about 7.8). A representative technique for determining the pH of a
tobacco formulation involves dispersing 5 g of that formulation in
100 ml of high performance liquid chromatography water, and
measuring the pH of the resulting suspension/solution (e.g., with a
pH meter). The presence of, particularly, a preservative, has been
found according to the present disclosure to maintain a desirable
pH level over a storage period. In some embodiments, the moist
smokeless tobacco product is characterized, after a storage period
of at least about 10 days, by a pH between about 7.5 and about 8.1.
In some embodiments, the pH of the smokeless tobacco product is
maintained between about 7.5 and about 8.1 for a storage period of
at least about 10 days.
Storage and Storage Period
[0104] Products of the present invention may be packaged and stored
in any suitable packaging in much the same manner that conventional
types of smokeless tobacco products are packaged and stored. For
example, a plurality of packets or pouches may be contained in a
cylindrical container. See, for example, the various types of
containers for smokeless types of products that are set forth in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,039 to Henson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,110
to Kutsch et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,843 to Kutsch et al.;
D592,956 to Thiellier and D594,154 to Patel et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub.
No. 2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. No.
2009/0014343 to Clark et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0014450 to
Bjorkholm; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0250360 to Bellamah et al.; U.S.
Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0266837 to Gelardi et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. No.
2009/0223989 to Gelardi; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0230003 to
Thiellier; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0084424 to Gelardi; and U.S.
Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0133140 to Bailey et al; and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/342,212, filed Aug. 20, 2009, to Bailey et
al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/425,180, filed Apr. 16,
2009, to Bailey et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/685,819, filed Jan. 12, 2010, to Bailey et al.; and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/814,015, filed Jun. 11, 2010, to Gelardi et
al., which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0105] If desired, moist tobacco products (e.g., products having
moisture contents of more than about 20 weight percent) may be
refrigerated (e.g., at a temperature of less than about 10.degree.
C., often less than about 8.degree. C., and sometimes less than
about 5.degree. C.).
[0106] The storage period of the moist smokeless tobacco product as
disclosed herein may vary. In some embodiments, the storage period
is from about 10 days to about 150 days. In some embodiments, the
storage period is about 10 days, about 20 days, about 30 days,
about 40 days, about 60 days, about 80 days, about 100 days, about
120 days, about 140 days, or about 150 days. Any number of days
between 10 and 150 are contemplated herein.
Configured for Oral Use
[0107] Provided herein is a moist smokeless tobacco product
configured for oral use, the moist smokeless tobacco product
comprising a tobacco material, one or more antioxidants, and one or
more preservatives, each as described herein. The term "configured
for oral use" as used herein means that the moist smokeless tobacco
product is provided in a form (e.g., a water-permeable pouch or
loose fibers) such that during use, saliva in the mouth of the user
causes some of the components of the tobacco formulation to pass
through e.g., the water-permeable pouch and into the mouth of the
user.
[0108] Such moist smokeless tobacco products in the water-permeable
pouch format are typically used by placing one pouch containing the
tobacco formulation in the mouth of a human subject/user. The pouch
preferably is not chewed or swallowed. The user is provided with
tobacco flavor and satisfaction, and is not required to spit out
any portion of the tobacco formulation. After about 10 minutes to
about 60 minutes, typically about 15 minutes to about 45 minutes,
of use/enjoyment, substantial amounts of the tobacco formulation
and the contents of the optional microcapsules and have been
ingested by the human subject, and the pouch may be removed from
the mouth of the human subject for disposal.
[0109] Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the tobacco formulation
as disclosed herein and any other components noted above are
combined within a moisture-permeable packet or pouch that acts as a
container for use of the tobacco to provide a moist smokeless
tobacco product configured for oral use. Certain embodiments of the
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 of the
accompanying drawings, and these described embodiments involve
snus-type products having an outer pouch and containing a treated
tobacco material as described herein within the tobacco
formulation. As explained in greater detail below, such embodiments
are provided by way of example only, and the smokeless tobacco
products of the present disclosure can include tobacco compositions
in other forms. The composition/construction of such packets or
pouches, such as the container pouch 102 in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1, may be varied. Referring to FIG. 1, there is
shown a first embodiment of a moist smokeless tobacco product 100.
The tobacco product 100 includes a moisture-permeable container in
the form of a pouch 102, which contains a solid tobacco filler
material 104 comprising a moist smokeless tobacco composition as
described herein.
[0110] Suitable packets, pouches or containers of the type used for
the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products are available under
the tradenames CatchDry, Ettan, General, Granit, Goteborgs Rape,
Grovsnus White, Metropol Kaktus, Mocca Anis, Mocca Mint, Mocca
Wintergreen, Kicks, Probe, Prince, Skruf and TreAnkrare. The
tobacco formulation may be contained in pouches and packaged, in a
manner and using the types of components used for the manufacture
of conventional snus types of products. The pouch provides a
liquid-permeable container of a type that may be considered to be
similar in character to the mesh-like type of material that is used
for the construction of a tea bag. Components of the loosely
arranged, granular tobacco formulation readily diffuse through the
pouch and into the mouth of the user.
[0111] Descriptions of various components of snus types of products
and components thereof also are set forth in US Pat. App. Pub. No.
2004/0118422 to Lundin et al., which is incorporated herein by
reference. See, also, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,479 to
Linden; U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,899 to Nielsen; U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,734
to Wydick et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,516 to Derr, and US Pat.
Pub. No. 2005/0061339 to Hansson et al.; each of which is
incorporated herein by reference. See, also, the types of pouches
set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,244 to Kjerstad, which is
incorporated herein by reference. Snus types of products can be
manufactured using equipment such as that available as SB 51-1/T,
SBL 50 and SB 53-2/T from Merz Verpackungmaschinen GmBH. Snus
pouches can be provided as individual pouches, or a plurality of
pouches (e.g., 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30 pouches) can be
connected or linked together (e.g., in an end-to-end manner) such
that a single pouch or individual portion can be readily removed
for use from a one-piece strand or matrix of pouches.
[0112] An example pouch may be manufactured from materials, and in
such a manner, such that during use by the user, the pouch
undergoes a controlled dispersion or dissolution. Such pouch
materials may have the form of a mesh, screen, perforated paper,
permeable fabric, or the like. For example, pouch material
manufactured from a mesh-like form of rice paper, or perforated
rice paper, may dissolve in the mouth of the user. As a result, the
pouch and tobacco formulation each may undergo complete dispersion
within the mouth of the user during normal conditions of use, and
hence the pouch and tobacco formulation both may be ingested by the
user. Other examples of pouch materials may be manufactured using
water dispersible film forming materials (e.g., binding agents such
as alginates, carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum, pullulan, and
the like), as well as those materials in combination with materials
such as ground cellulosics (e.g., fine particle size wood pulp).
Preferred pouch materials, though water dispersible or dissolvable,
may be designed and manufactured such that under conditions of
normal use, a significant amount of the tobacco formulation
contents permeate through the pouch material prior to the time that
the pouch undergoes loss of its physical integrity. If desired,
flavoring ingredients, disintegration aids, and other desired
components, may be incorporated within, or applied to, the pouch
material.
[0113] The amount of material contained within each pouch may vary.
In smaller embodiments, the dry weight of the material within each
pouch is at least about 50 mg to about 150 mg. For a larger
embodiment, the dry weight of the material within each pouch
preferably does not exceed about 300 mg to about 700 mg. In some
embodiments, each pouch/container may have disposed therein a
flavor agent member, as described in greater detail in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,861,728 to Holton, Jr. et al., which is incorporated herein
by reference. If desired, other components can be contained within
each pouch. For example, at least one flavored strip, piece or
sheet of flavored water dispersible or water soluble material
(e.g., a breath-freshening edible film type of material) may be
disposed within each pouch along with or without at least one
capsule. Such strips or sheets may be folded or crumpled in order
to be readily incorporated within the pouch. See, for example, the
types of materials and technologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No.
6,887,307 to Scott et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,981 to Leung et
al.; and The EFSA Journal (2004) 85, 1-32; which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0114] The moist smokeless tobacco product can be packaged within
any suitable inner packaging material and/or outer container. See
also, for example, the various types of containers for smokeless
types of products that are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,039 to
Henson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,110 to Kutsch et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 7,584,843 to Kutsch et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,397,945 to Gelardi
et al., D592,956 to Thiellier; D594,154 to Patel et al.; and
D625,178 to Bailey et al.; US Pat. Pub. Nos. 2008/0173317 to
Robinson et al.; 2009/0014343 to Clark et al.; 2009/0014450 to
Bjorkholm; 2009/0250360 to Bellamah et al.; 2009/0266837 to Gelardi
et al.; 2009/0223989 to Gelardi; 2009/0230003 to Thiellier;
2010/0084424 to Gelardi; and 2010/0133140 to Bailey et al;
2010/0264157 to Bailey et al.; and 2011/0168712 to Bailey et al.
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0115] In some embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product is
in the form of moist snuff.
[0116] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing description. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended
to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although
specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
EXAMPLES
[0117] Aspects of the present invention are more fully illustrated
by the following examples, which are set forth to illustrate
certain aspects of the present invention and are not to be
construed as limiting thereof.
Stabilized Moist Smokeless Tobacco Formulations
[0118] Four moist smokeless tobacco formulations were prepared to
evaluate stability of formulations with and without a preservative
and an antioxidant. These formulations were as follows:
[0119] 1. A control formulation without any stabilizers;
[0120] 2. A formulation with 300 ppm of added TBHQ;
[0121] 3. A formulation with 1000 ppm of added propylparaben;
and
[0122] 4. A formulation with both 1000 ppm propylparaben and 300
ppm TBHQ.
[0123] For each of the formulations, fine cut tobacco and the
appropriate stabilizer were added to a blender, the mixture was
agitated to achieve a uniformly mixed product, and the completed
blend was discharged into tubs to await packaging in finished
product cans for evaluation under storage.
Evaluation of Stability of Moist Smokeless Tobacco Products
[0124] Each of the four tobacco formulations were stored for
various periods of time, and samples withdrawn for analysis of a
number of parameters indicative of storage stability. The
parameters chosen to determine stability of the product during
storage were pH, percent moisture, nitrite, tobacco specific
nitrosamine (TSNA), and percent organic acids (malate, acetate,
citrate and lactate). Methods utilized are indicated below.
Procedure for Determination of pH
[0125] A sample of the tobacco material (5.0.+-.0.1 grams) was
placed in a specimen container. Deionized water (50.+-.1 mL) was
added and the mixture stirred with a magnetic stir bar for 15
minutes. The pH was measured on an Orion Model 3 Combination
Electrode and Meter.
Procedure for Determination of % Moisture
[0126] Determination of % moisture was performed using the oven
drying method, subtracting the end weight after drying for a
predetermined time from the initial weight. The instrument used was
a Brabender Moisture Tester MT-C model #890614. Sample weight was
approximately 10 grams.
Procedure for Determination of Nitrite
[0127] A sample of the tobacco material (1.0000.+-.0.1000 g) was
placed into an empty 50 mL polypropylene conical tube and 25 ml
water was added. The tube was capped and shaken on a platform
shaker for 30.+-.5 minutes. After the extraction was completed, the
tube was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes, then filtered
through a Whatman 0.45 .mu.m autovial filter into a 15 mL
disposable centrifuge tube.
[0128] A Strata-X 33u Polymeric Reversed Phase 500 mg/6 mL filter
cartridge was conditioned by pipetting in 5 mL of Methanol and
allowing it to stand for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, vacuum was
applied to draw through the remaining methanol. The cartridge was
equilibrated by pipetting in 5 mL of deionized (DI) H.sub.2O and
allowing it to stand for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, vacuum was
applied to draw through the remaining DI H.sub.2O. The above
filtered tobacco extract sample (1-2 mL) was added to the cartridge
and allowed to stand for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, vacuum was
applied to draw through the remaining filtrate, which was
discarded. The above filtered tobacco extract (5-6 mL) was then
applied to the cartridge and the filtrate collected, capped, and
stored in the dark until testing.
[0129] The nitrite content in the filtrate sample was determined by
diazotization of sulfanilamide and coupling with
N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride under acidic
conditions to form a reddish/pink azo-dye. The absorbance was
measured at 540 nm and the nitrite concentration calculated by
means of a calibration curve based on standards concentrations of
0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.2875, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6667, 1.0 and 2.0 ppm.
Analysis was performed on an automated Thermo Fisher Gallery Plus
Discrete Analyzer for Photometric Analysis of Nitrite.
[0130] Nitrite (ppm) was calculated according to: Average Result
(mg/l).times.(Water weight (g))/(Sample weight (g)).
Procedure for Determination of TSNAs
[0131] TSNA content was determined by Liquid Chromatography/Triple
Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS/MS) under positive ionization.
Standards used were NNN, NNK, NAT, and NAB, prepared from 1 mg/ml
stock concentration by dilution to provide a range of
concentrations from 0 to 400 ng/ml.
[0132] Tobacco samples were weighed into a 40 ml amber borosilicate
vial and 30 mL of 100 mM ammonium acetate containing deuterated
TSNA internal standards was added. The samples were shaken for 30
minutes on an orbital shaker. Approximately 3 ml of sample was
decanted into a 0.45 .mu.m PVDF Filter Syringe. The first 1 ml of
filtrate was discarded, and about 2 mL of filtrate was collect in
an amber HPLC vial. Samples were injected and analyzed by LC using
the parameters indicated below.
Agilent HPLC Parameters:
[0133] Mobile Phase A--95% 10 mM Ammonium Acetate pH 6.75: 5% ACN
[0134] Mobile Phase B--0.1% Acetic Acid in ACN [0135] Gradient
elution: 0 to 50% B over 4 minutes [0136] Flow rate: 0.6 ml/min
[0137] Column Temperature: 70.degree. C. [0138] Total Time: 8
minutes [0139] Column: Phenomenex Gemini 3 um C18 110 .ANG.
150.times.2 mm [0140] Injection Volume: 2 .mu.L-5 .mu.L [0141]
Autosampler Temperature: 4.degree. C.
ABSciex 5500 Source and Detector Parameters:
[0141] [0142] Curtain Gas(CUR): 40 [0143] Collision Gas(CAD): 3
[0144] Ion Spray Voltage(IS): 2500 [0145] Temperature(TEM): 500
[0146] Nebulizer Gas (GS1): 60 [0147] Auxiliary Gas (GS2): 60
[0148] Vertical Position: 0 [0149] MultiQuant Method Parameters are
provided in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 [0149] TABLE 1 Method Parameters Quantitation Method
d4- d4- d4- d4- NNK NNK NNN NNN NAT NAT NAB NAB Gaussian Smooth
Width 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 (points) Expected RT (min)
4.71 4.70 4.41 4.39 5.07 5.06 5.20 5.19 RT Half Window (sec) 30.0
30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 Update Expected RT No No No No
No No No No Min. Peak Width (points) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Min. Peak
Height 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Noise Percentage (%)
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Baseline Sub.
Window (min) 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Peak Splitting
(points) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Procedure for Determination of Organic Acids
[0150] Organic acid content (acetic, citric, malic, and lactic)
were determined by colorimetric and enzymatic reactions on an
automated ThermoFisher Gallery Plus Discrete Analyzer for
Photometric organic acid analysis.
Principles of Method
[0151] Acetic acid quantitation is based on the reaction of acetate
kinase (AK) in the presence of ATP to convert acetic acid (acetate)
into acetyl-phosphate and adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP). This
reaction is significantly accelerated by the rapid conversion of
the acetyl-phosphate product into acetyl-CoA and inorganic
phosphate, by the action of phosphotransacetylase (PTA) in the
presence of coenzyme A (CoA). The ADP formed is reconverted into
ATP and pyruvate, by phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) in the presence of
ADP-dependent hexokinase (ADP-HK). In the presence of the enzyme
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P-DH), D-Glucose-6-phosphate
is reduced to D-Glucono-o-lactone-6-phosphate by reduced
Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) with the production of
NAD.sup.+. The amount of NADH formed in the above reaction pathway
is stoichiometric with the amount of acetate. It is NADH
consumption which is measured by the decrease in absorbance at 340
nm. The method was performed at 37.degree. C. The acetic acid
concentration was calculated by means of a calibration curve.
[0152] Citric acid quantitation is based on the reaction of
oxaloacetate and acetate catalyzed by the enzyme citric lyase (CL).
In the presence of the enzymes L-malate dehydrogenase (L-MDL) and
L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH), oxaloacetate and its
decarboxylation product pyruvate are reduced to L-malate and
L-lactate, respectively, by reduced nicotinamide-adenine
dinucleotide (NADH). The amount of NADH oxidized in reactions is
stoichiometric to the amount of citrate. The method was performed
at 37.degree. C. and NADH was determined by absorbance at 340 nm.
The citric acid concentration was calculated by means of a
calibration curve.
[0153] L-Lactic Acid quantitation is based on the reaction of
L-Malic Acid (malate) to oxaloacetate in the reaction catalyzed by
the enzyme L-malate dehydrogenase (L-MDL). In the presence of the
enzyme Glutamate-Oxaloacetate-Transaminase (GOT), Oxaloacetate and
L-Glutamate are reduced to L-Aspartame and 2-Oxoglutarate,
respectively. The amount of NADH oxidized in the reactions is
stoichiometric to the amount of malate. The method was performed at
37.degree. C. and NADH was determined by absorbance at 340 nm. The
malic acid concentration was calculated by means of a calibration
curve.
Sample Preparation
[0154] A sample of the tobacco material (1.0000.+-.0.1000 g) was
weighed into an empty 50 mL polypropylene conical tube and 25.0 mL
of water was added. The mixture was shaken on a platform shaker for
30.+-.5 minutes. After the extraction was completed, the tube was
centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes, then filtered through a 0.45
.mu.m filter into a 15 mL disposable centrifuge tube.
[0155] A Strata-X 33u Polymeric Reversed Phase 500 mg/6 mL filter
cartridge was conditioned by pipetting in 5 mL of Methanol and
allowing it to stand for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, vacuum was
applied to draw through the remaining methanol. The cartridge was
equilibrated by pipetting in 5 mL of deionized (DI) H.sub.2O and
allowing it to stand for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, vacuum was
applied to draw through the remaining DI H.sub.2O. The above
filtered tobacco extract sample (1-2 mL) was added to the cartridge
and allowed to stand for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, vacuum was
applied to draw through the remaining filtrate, which was
discarded. The above filtered tobacco extract (5-6 mL) was then
applied to the cartridge and the filtrate collected, capped, and
stored in the dark until testing.
[0156] Samples were analyzed on a ThermoFisher Gallery Plus
Discrete Analyzer and organic acid concentrations calculated from
calibration curves and calculated according to the equation:
Organic Acid (ppm)=Average Result (g/L).times.(Water weight
(g))/(Sample weight (g)).times.1000.
Results
[0157] Generally, when the moist smokeless tobacco formulation
included both propylparaben and TBHQ, the product was more stable
during storage, i.e., there was no major increase in parameters
measured throughout the storage of the product, or there was
desirable decrease in parameters measured during storage of the
product, and a desirable relationship developed between organic
acids throughout the storage of the product.
[0158] The moisture content for each of the four moist smokeless
tobacco formulations over a storage period, measured as Aw, is
provided in FIG. 2. The data indicate that the combination of both
propylparaben and TBHQ was best for maintaining and/or avoiding an
increase in Aw value.
[0159] The pH values for each of the four moist smokeless tobacco
formulations over a storage period are provided in FIG. 3. The data
indicate that propylparaben maintains pH stability.
[0160] The nitrite content for each of the four moist smokeless
tobacco formulations over a storage period is provided in FIGS. 4
and 5 (obtained in two separate studies). The data in FIG. 5
indicate that TBHQ affects nitrate-to-nitrite reduction better then
propylparaben, but both together are best. The data in FIG. 4 more
clearly demonstrate the superiority of both together for avoidance
of increased nitrite formation over the storage period.
[0161] The tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) content for each of
the four moist smokeless tobacco formulations over a storage period
is provided in FIGS. 6 and 7 (obtained in two separate studies).
The data in FIG. 6 indicate that propylparaben alone had little
effect on TSNA formation, and the combination of propylparaben and
TBHQ was far superior for avoiding an increase in TSNA
concentration. The results shown in FIG. 7 were smaller in
magnitude, but still support the advantage of the combination of
propylparaben and TBHQ. The results for all TSNA formation studies
were subjected to three statistical analyses (ANOVA, Regression,
and paired t-test), which indicated the statistically significance
of the treatment effect for the propylparaben/TBHQ combination.
[0162] The level of various organic acids (malate, lactate,
acetate, and citrate) for the control moist smokeless tobacco
formulation over a storage period is provided in FIG. 8. The level
of the same organic acids for the moist smokeless tobacco
formulations containing TBHQ, propylparaben, and both TBHQ and
propylparaben over a storage period are provided in FIGS. 9-11,
respectively. The data indicate that propylparaben most effectively
maintains desirable acetate and citrate concentrations.
[0163] The level of nitrite, acetate, and citrate for the control
moist smokeless tobacco formulation and the moist smokeless tobacco
formulation containing both TBHQ and propylparaben over a storage
period is provided in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively. The data
indicate that the combination of propylparaben and TBHQ effectively
maintains desirable acetate and citrate concentrations while
avoiding a rise in nitrite level.
[0164] The level of acetate for each of the four moist smokeless
tobacco formulations over a storage period is provided in FIG. 14.
The data indicate that propylparaben alone, similar to control, did
not maintain acetate levels over the storage period. In contrast,
TBHQ, and preferably a combination of TBHQ and propylparaben,
provided a favorable acetate profile.
[0165] In general, the trends in data in FIGS. 2-14 can be
summarized as follows:
[0166] Storage of the control smokeless tobacco formulation
(absence of TBHQ and propylparaben) resulted in undesirable
increases in pH, Aw, moisture, nitrite, TSNAs, and unwanted
depletion of in acetate and citrate, which are indicative of poor
product stability.
[0167] Addition of TBHQ and propylparaben individually, provided a
product with better stability relative to the control that had no
additives. TBHQ and propylparaben, used together, provided a
product with the best overall stability profile.
[0168] Finally, addition of TBHQ and propylparaben did not hinder
the attainment of a desirable organic acid profile (e.g., a drop in
malate concentration and an increase in acetate concentration,
along with a slight drop in citrate concentration), which was
indicative of a good product stability.
* * * * *
References