Method of making a tobacco extract

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include a method of making a tobacco extract comprising; (a) contacting tobacco with an extraction solvent such that tobacco components are extracted from the tobacco into the solvent, wherein the extraction solvent comprises a supercritical fluid; (b) separating residual tobacco solids from the extraction solvent containing tobacco components; (c) providing an entrapment solvent in a vessel, exposing the extraction solvent containing tobacco components to conditions in that vessel, wherein the conditions in the vessel are such that the extraction solvent is subcritical, thereby releasing the tobacco components from the extraction solvent, and wherein the entrapment solvent dissolves the tobacco components released from the extraction solvent.

1 . A method of making a tobacco extract, the method comprising:
 (a) contacting tobacco with an extraction solvent such that tobacco components are extracted from the tobacco into the solvent, wherein the extraction solvent comprises a supercritical fluid;   (b) separating residual tobacco solids from the extraction solvent containing tobacco components;   (c) providing an entrapment solvent in a vessel, exposing the extraction solvent containing tobacco components to conditions in that vessel, wherein the conditions in the vessel are such that the extraction solvent is subcritical, thereby releasing the tobacco components from the extraction solvent,   and wherein the entrapment solvent dissolves the tobacco components released from the extraction solvent.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the extraction solvent comprises carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein at (a), the temperature is in the range of about 308-473K, preferably about 328-350K, and the pressure is in the range of about 8-85 MPa, preferably about 20-30 MPa. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the entrapment solvent comprises an aerosol generating agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the entrapment solvent comprises a polyol such as glycerol and/or propylene glycol. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco components include one or more of nicotine and tobacco aromas and flavors. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing the entrapment solvent containing dissolved tobacco components in a cartridge, wherein the cartridge is configured for use in a smoking article. 
     
     
         8 . A tobacco extract obtainable by a method according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A cartridge configured for use in a smoking article, the cartridge containing a tobacco extract according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         10 . A smoking article containing a tobacco extract according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         11 . Use of a tobacco extract obtainable by a method according to  claim 1  to generate an inhalable aerosol. 
     
     
         12 . Use of a tobacco extract according to  claim 11 , wherein the tobacco extract is used in a smoking article.