Method for reduction of tobacco specific nitrosamines

Abstract

Tobacco is treated before or during curing to lower or eliminate bacterial populations and/or activity, fungal growth, and/or tobacco-specific nitrosamine or bacterial endotoxin levels in the cured tobacco, wherein the tobacco is treated with an effective amount of a wash solution. Air-cured tobacco may be cured in four weeks or less when treated with a wash solution of bicarbonate salts.

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       28 . A cured tobacco leaf in a condition of having been contacted with a wash solution comprising a disinfectant and a solvent such that said leaf is with a reduced amount of tobacco-specific nitrosamines as compared to cured unprocessed tobacco leaf of a same type.  
   
   
       29 . The tobacco leaf of  claim 28 , wherein the tobacco leaf is flue-cured tobacco.  
   
   
       30 . The tobacco leaf of  claim 28 , wherein the tobacco leaf is an air-cured tobacco.  
   
   
       31 . The tobacco leaf of  claim 30 , wherein the wash solution further comprises a surfactant.  
   
   
       32 . The tobacco leaf of  claim 30 , wherein the solvent is water or a polar organic solvent.  
   
   
       33 . The tobacco leaf of  claim 30 , wherein the disinfectant comprises one or more of a chlorine-containing compound, peroxide, a low molecular weight alcohol or a derivative thereof.  
   
   
       34 . The tobacco leaf of  claim 33 , wherein the chlorine-containing compound comprises one or more of chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite or sodium chlorite.  
   
   
       35 . The tobacco leaf of  claim 33 , wherein the low molecular weight alcohol comprises one or more methanol, ethanol or propanol.  
   
   
       36 . A method of reducing tobacco-specific nitrosamines and bacterial endotoxins from a harvested tobacco leaf before or during curing comprising: 
 washing the surface of the tobacco leaf with an effective amount of a wash solution to reduce tobacco-specific nitrosamines and bacterial endotoxins.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the washing occurs at least twice before completion of curing.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the tobacco leaf is a green leaf or a partially cured leaf.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the curing comprises flue-curing wherein the leaves are heated using a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the wash solution comprises a disinfectant dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the wash solution further comprises a surfactant.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the solvent is water or a polar organic solvent.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the disinfectant comprises one or more of a chlorine-containing compound, peroxide, a low molecular weight alcohol, a quaternary ammonium compound, or a derivative thereof.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the chlorine containing compound comprises one or more of chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite or sodium chlorite.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the low molecular weight alcohol comprises one or more of methanol, ethanol or propanol.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising rinsing the washed tobacco leaf with water.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the wash solution is at a temperature of from about 0° C. to 55° C.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the wash solution is at a temperature of from about 25° C. to 55° C.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the wash solution consists essentially of water heated to a temperature from about 25° C. to 55° C.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the wash solution consists essentially of water heated to a temperature from about 25° C. to 55° C.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein washing the surface of the tobacco leaf further comprises agitating the tobacco leaf in one or more directions.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein washing the surface of the tobacco leaf comprises one or more of spraying, rinsing or submerging the harvested tobacco leaf in the wash solution.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein washing the surface of the tobacco leaf comprises submerging the tobacco leaf in the wash solution for at least about 10 minutes.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein washing the surface of the tobacco leaf comprises rinsing or spraying the surface of the tobacco leaf with the wash solution such that the wash solution runs freely from the surface of the tobacco leaf.