Method for Producing Triacetin from Tobaccl

Abstract

A method for producing triacetin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The triacetin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass or from seed. In certain embodiments, the triacetin is produced by condensation of glycerin, generated by hydrolysis of acylglycerol-containing starting material derived from tobacco biomass or seed, and acetic acid, also derived from tobacco biomass or seed. The invention also provides articles and compositions including tobacco articles and tobacco compositions that include triacetin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 (a) triacetin produced by a method comprising:
 (i) contacting an acylglycerol-containing first starting material derived from one or more plants of genus  Nicotiana  with a composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth oxide or hydroxide, a mineral acid, or an esterase for a period of time sufficient for at least some of the acylglycerol contained in the starting material to be hydrolyzed, thereby producing an intermediate comprising glycerin; 
 (ii) isolating glycerin from the intermediate comprising glycerin to form an isolated glycerin reactant; 
 (iii) subjecting an acetate-containing second starting material derived from one or more plants of genus  Nicotiana  to destructive distillation, thereby producing an intermediate comprising acetic acid; 
 (iv) isolating acetic acid from the intermediate comprising acetic acid to form an isolated acetic acid reactant; 
 (v) contacting a quantity of the isolated glycerin reactant with a quantity of the isolated acetic acid reactant under conditions favoring esterification, thereby producing triacetin; and 
   (b) biomass from one or more plants of genus  Nicotiana  or reconstituted tobacco.   
     
     
         2 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass from one or more plants of genus  Nicotiana  comprises tobacco biomass. 
     
     
         3 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass from one or more plants of genus  Nicotiana  comprises tobacco leaf. 
     
     
         4 . A composition comprising triacetin produced by a method comprising:
 (a) contacting an acylglycerol-containing first starting material derived from one or more plants of genus  Nicotiana  with a composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth oxide or hydroxide, a mineral acid, or an esterase for a period of time sufficient for at least some of the acylglycerol contained in the starting material to be hydrolyzed, thereby producing an intermediate comprising glycerin;   (b) isolating glycerin from the intermediate comprising glycerin to form an isolated glycerin reactant;   (c) subjecting an acetate-containing second starting material derived from one or more plants of genus  Nicotiana  to destructive distillation, thereby producing an intermediate comprising acetic acid;   (d) isolating acetic acid from the intermediate comprising acetic acid to form an isolated acetic acid reactant;   (e) contacting a quantity of the isolated glycerin reactant with a quantity of the isolated acetic acid reactant under conditions favoring esterification, thereby producing triacetin.