A solvent system for a smoking-leaf surface flavoring essence and a smoking-leaf surface flavoring essence

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of solvent system of cigarette top note perfume, and high flash point cigarette top note perfume made of the solvent system thereof.The characteristics are that the solvent system includes glyceryl diacetate, propylene glycol, water.The amount of glyceryl diacetate is at least 5% of the mass percentage of cigarette top note perfume, the total amount of propylene glycol and water is at least 45% of the mass percentage of cigarette top note perfume, and the amount or content of water is not less than 20% of the mass percentage of cigarette top note perfume.Using the solvent system to configure cigarette top note perfume can significantly improve the flash point of cigarette top note perfume, increase the flash point of cigarette top note perfume to a safe range, and reduce the difficulty of safety management in the production, processing, storage and transportation of cigarette top note perfume.The high flash point top note perfume is clear and transparent, uniform, without turbidity, oil beads, oil-water layering and other phenomena, and the quality of the perfume is stable and controllable, and the cigarette flavoring process and quality are stable and controllable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a solvent system for tobacco flavoring and a high flash point tobacco flavoring. Technical Background

[0002] The most abundant ingredient in tobacco flavorings is the solvent, commonly made from various spirits containing ethanol, alcohol of various concentrations, or propylene glycol. Therefore, the main components of the solvent are ethanol, water, and propylene glycol. Ethanol has a flash point of 13°C (closed-cup method) and is classified as a Class A flammable liquid; spirits have a flash point of 25°C; and solutions containing more than 5% ethanol typically have a flash point below 60°C. Since tobacco flavorings often use spirits or alcohol as solvents, and their ethanol content is generally higher than 20%, they are generally classified as Class B flammable liquids. Increasing the flash point of tobacco flavorings can reduce the difficulty of safety management during flavoring formulation, storage, and transportation in tobacco product manufacturing.

[0003] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of ethanol-based solvents, industry professionals are actively seeking alternative solvents for tobacco flavorings. However, due to ethanol's excellent hydrophilicity and lipophilicity—meaning it is miscible with water and many organic solvents—reports on alternative solvents have yet to emerge. Summary of the Invention:

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to develop a solvent system for tobacco flavoring (also referred to as a mixed solvent), and a high flash point tobacco flavoring formulated with this solvent system, thereby improving the safety of tobacco flavoring during formulation, storage, and transportation, and reducing the difficulty of safety production management and operating costs.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to provide an application of the mixed solvent of the aforementioned tobacco flavoring in tobacco flavoring.

[0006] The third objective of this invention is to provide a high-lightning smoke flavoring containing the aforementioned mixed solvent.

[0007] To improve the flash point of tobacco flavoring and reduce the difficulty of safety production management during the formulation, storage and transportation of flavorings in the production of tobacco products, this invention provides a mixed solvent for tobacco flavoring, which includes glyceryl diacetate, propylene glycol and water; wherein the weight part of glyceryl diacetate is not less than 5 parts, the total weight part of propylene glycol and water is not less than 45 parts, and the weight part of water is not less than 20 parts.

[0008] This invention innovatively replaces ethanol, which is widely used in the industry, with glyceryl diacetate. It innovatively utilizes the structural characteristics of glyceryl diacetate, which contains hydrophobic ester groups and hydrophilic hydroxyl groups, and leverages its synergistic effect with other components in the mixed solvent within a certain proportion range to improve the flash point of flavorings and the solubility of tobacco flavorings. The mixed solvent described in this invention not only has a safer (higher) flash point but also exhibits excellent solubility for both lipophilic and hydrophilic flavorings, making it more widely applicable. Furthermore, it is non-toxic, colorless, transparent, and free of any impurities or unpleasant odors, making it particularly suitable for the cigarette industry.

[0009] The mixed solvent described in this invention has good hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, which facilitates the dissolution of oily components in tobacco flavorings and dissolves oil-soluble components in the flavorings into the aqueous solution. In addition, it can significantly increase the flash point of tobacco flavorings.

[0010] Preferably, the mixed solvent does not contain ethanol. This invention represents a comprehensive innovation in the solution system of the tobacco flavoring industry. This invention innovatively uses glyceryl diacetate to completely replace the widely used ethanol in the industry. Utilizing its unique structural characteristics and synergistic effect with the components within the stated ratio range, it significantly improves the flash point of the solvent system while also enhancing the solubility of various polar flavoring raw materials.

[0011] Preferably, in the mixed solvent, the weight percentages of glyceryl diacetate are 5-13 parts, the weight percentages of propylene glycol are 25-35 parts, and the weight percentages of water are 20-40 parts (preferably 20-30 parts). Solvents within the preferred range exhibit superior solubility and do not introduce impurities into cigarette smoke. Furthermore, the flash point of the formulated flavoring is not lower than 75°C.

[0012] Preferably, the mixed solvent also contains triacetylglycerol and monoacetylglycerol.

[0013] Preferably, the total amount of triacetylglycerol and monoacetylglycerol is less than the amount of diacetylglycerol.

[0014] Preferably, the ratio of diacetylglycerol to triacetylglycerol is greater than or equal to 2.5.

[0015] As a preferred application, the mixed solvent is used to prepare a tobacco flavoring with a temperature not lower than 60°C.

[0016] As a preferred application, the mixed solvent is used to prepare a tobacco flavoring with a temperature not lower than 75°C.

[0017] In the aforementioned application, the preferred weight percentage of the tobacco flavoring raw material is 15-45%, with the remainder being the mixed solvent.

[0018] The present invention also provides a tobacco flavoring, comprising the aforementioned mixed solvent and tobacco flavoring raw materials dissolved in the mixed solvent.

[0019] Preferably, in the tobacco flavoring, the amount of diacetylglycerol is at least 5% of the tobacco flavoring by mass, the total amount of propylene glycol and water is at least 45% of the tobacco flavoring by mass, and the amount or content of water is not less than 20% of the tobacco flavoring by mass; the remainder is tobacco flavoring raw material.

[0020] In this invention, a mixed solvent of diacetylglycerol, water, propylene glycol, etc., is used to replace solvents containing ethanol such as distilled spirits and alcohol; wherein, the amount of diacetylglycerol is at least 5% of the mass percentage of the tobacco flavoring, the total amount of propylene glycol and water is at least 45% of the mass percentage of the tobacco flavoring, and the amount or content of water is not less than 20% of the mass percentage of the tobacco flavoring. Because glyceryl diacetate replaces solvents with high ethanol content, such as Daqu liquor, Tequ liquor, and alcohol, commonly used in flavorings, the flash point of the flavoring is significantly increased. Furthermore, the olfactory quality characteristics of this high-flash-point flavoring, as well as the quality characteristics of the flavored cigarettes, remain consistent with those of flavorings dissolved in conventional solvents such as Daqu liquor without glyceryl diacetate, and the flavored cigarettes after addition. Glyceryl diacetate does not significantly alter the quality characteristics of the cigarettes, and has virtually no negative sensory impact. This high-flash-point flavoring is clear and transparent, without turbidity, obvious oil droplets, or oil-water separation. The flavoring quality is stable and controllable, the cigarette flavoring process is stable and controllable, and the cigarette product quality is stable. Because the synergistic mixed solvent replaces solvents with high ethanol content, such as Daqu liquor, Tequ liquor, and alcohol, in the original flavoring, the flavoring contains no ethanol or has an ethanol content of less than 5%, significantly increasing the flash point, with a closed-cup flash point above 60°C.

[0021] Preferably, the content of diacetylglycerol is 5% to 13% of the mass percentage of the tobacco flavoring, and the total content of propylene glycol and water is 45% to 65% of the mass percentage of the tobacco flavoring, wherein the content of water is 20% to 40% of the mass percentage of the tobacco flavoring; the remainder is tobacco flavoring raw material.

[0022] Further optimization: In addition to diacetylglycerol, the flavoring essence for tobacco contains triacetylglycerol and monoacetylglycerol, and the total amount of triacetylglycerol and monoacetylglycerol is less than that of diacetylglycerol, and the ratio of diacetylglycerol to triacetylglycerol is greater than or equal to 2.5.

[0023] The flavoring ingredients mentioned are flavoring ingredients listed in the licensed list of all tobacco additives.

[0024] Preferably, the tobacco fragrance raw materials include hydrophilic tobacco fragrance raw materials and / or lipophilic tobacco fragrance raw materials.

[0025] Further preferably, the tobacco fragrance raw material includes at least a hydrophilic tobacco fragrance raw material, and optionally also includes an oleophilic tobacco fragrance raw material.

[0026] The present invention also provides an application of the aforementioned tobacco flavoring essence, which is added to tobacco shreds for flavoring cigarettes.

[0027] Preferably, the flavoring essence is added to the tobacco shreds by injection.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention brings the following beneficial effects:

[0029] Cigarette flavorings typically use spirits, alcohol, or ethanol as the main solvent. While these solvents offer good dissolution of the flavorings or bases, the low flash points of spirits and ethanol impose high safety management requirements on production sites and subsequent storage, transportation, and use. This invention uses glyceryl diacetate to replace ethanol in cigarette flavorings, significantly increasing the flash point and reducing the difficulty and cost of safety management in production, storage, transportation, and use. Furthermore, it maintains the same quality and style characteristics of the flavorings and cigarette products as those without glyceryl diacetate. The high-flash-point flavorings retain the same clarity, transparency, and uniformity as the original flavorings, without exhibiting turbidity, oil droplets, or oil-water separation. This ensures stable and controllable flavoring quality, and makes the cigarette flavoring process and flavoring quality consistently controllable. Detailed implementation method:

[0030] The example uses the flavoring formula of a certain cigarette product as an example. The formula is summarized and classified into four parts: concentrated flavor base (a mixture of various flavoring raw materials in the formula), menthol (representing oily substances), propylene glycol, and Daqu liquor. The high flash point flavoring is based on the original formula, keeping the proportion of concentrated flavor base and menthol unchanged. Diacetyl ester and water are used to replace the Daqu liquor in the formula, and the amounts of diacetyl ester, water, and propylene glycol are adjusted to ensure that the total mass of the formula remains unchanged.

[0031] In the examples, unless otherwise specified, the commercially available product contains 52% diacetylglycerol, and the total amount of triacetylglycerol and monoacetylglycerol is 48%, of which the content of triacetylglycerol is 19.9%.

[0032] In this invention, the flavoring raw materials can be any flavoring raw materials listed in the licensed list of tobacco additives. The concentrated flavoring base used in the following examples and comparative examples is, for example, a certain specification of Baisha flavoring base, whose components are tobacco extract, monk fruit extract and other natural plant extracts, trimethylpyrazine, oxoionone, octahydrocoumarin, commercially available code flavorings, etc.

[0033] Comparative Example 1

[0034] Fragrance control sample:

[0035] Dissolve 24.50g of concentrated flavor base in 25.00g of propylene glycol, add 2.00g of menthol and 48.50g of Daqu liquor, shake well to obtain a clear, transparent and uniform tobacco flavoring essence; the formula of the flavoring essence is shown in Table 1. The flash point of this tobacco flavoring essence was determined to be 32℃ using the closed-cup method.

[0036] Table 1

[0037]

[0038] Example 1

[0039] Fragrance and flavoring experimental sample A:

[0040] Take 25.20g of a commercially available product with a diacetylglycerol content of 52%, add it to 24.50g of concentrated flavor base and 2g of menthol, shake well, then add 25g of propylene glycol, and finally add 23.30g of water. Shake well, and the tobacco flavoring will be completely transparent, uniform, and clear. The flavoring formula is shown in Table 2. The flash point determined by the closed-cup method is greater than 75℃, which is at least 43℃ higher than the flash point of the flavoring using Daqu liquor as a solvent in the original formula.

[0041] Table 2

[0042]

[0043] Example 2.

[0044] Fragrance and flavoring experimental sample B:

[0045] Take 20.00g of a commercially available product with a diacetylglycerol content of 52%, add it to 24.50g of concentrated flavor base and 2g of menthol, shake well, then add 25.00g of propylene glycol, and finally add 28.5g of water. Shake well, and the tobacco flavoring will be completely transparent, uniform, and clear. The flavoring formula is shown in Table 3. The flash point determined by the closed-cup method is greater than 75℃, which is at least 43℃ higher than the flash point of the flavoring formula using Daqu liquor as a solvent.

[0046] Table 3

[0047]

[0048] Example 3.

[0049] Fragrance and flavoring experimental sample C:

[0050] The original formula replaced the Daqu liquor with glyceryl diacetate and water. 20.00g of a commercially available product with a glyceryl diacetate content of 52% was added to 24.50g of concentrated flavor base and 2.00g of menthol, shaken well, then 25.00g of propylene glycol was added, followed by 23.30g of water. After shaking well, the tobacco flavoring was completely homogeneous, transparent, and clear. Finally, 5.2g of ethanol was added, and the tobacco flavoring was completely homogeneous, transparent, and clear. The flavoring formula is shown in Table 4. The flash point, determined by the closed-cup method, was 53℃. The results indicate that when the ethanol content reaches 5% or higher, the flash point of the tobacco flavoring is below 60℃.

[0051] Table 4

[0052]

[0053]

[0054] Example 4.

[0055] Fragrance and flavoring experimental sample D:

[0056] Take 22.48g of a commercially available product with a diacetylglycerol content of 52%, add it to 24.50g of concentrated flavor base and 2.00g of menthol, shake well, then add 25.00g of propylene glycol, and finally add 20.82g of water, shake well. Then add 5.2g of Daqu liquor (equivalent to a mixture of 2.72g of ethanol and 2.48g of water). The flavoring essence for tobacco is completely uniform, transparent, and clear; the flavoring essence formula is shown in Table 5. The flash point determined by the closed-cup method is 64℃, indicating that adding less than 5% Daqu liquor can maintain the flash point of the flavoring above 60℃.

[0057] Table 5

[0058]

[0059] Example 5.

[0060] Fragrance and flavoring experimental sample E:

[0061] Take 10.00g of a commercially available product with a diacetylglycerol content of 52%, add it to 24.50g of flavor base and 2.00g of menthol, shake well, then add 35.00g of propylene glycol, and finally add 28.50g of water. Shake well, and the tobacco flavoring is completely uniform, transparent, and clear. The flavoring formula is shown in Table 6. The tobacco flavoring is completely uniform, transparent, and clear. The flash point, determined by the closed-cup method, is greater than 75℃.

[0062] Table 6

[0063]

[0064] Example 6

[0065] Fragrance and flavoring experimental sample F:

[0066] Using a product with a diacetylglycerol content of 95%, prepare according to Table 7. After shaking, the tobacco flavoring is completely uniform, transparent, and clear; the flavoring formula is shown in Table 7. The flash point determined by the closed-cup method is greater than 75℃.

[0067] Table 7

[0068]

[0069] Comparative Example 2

[0070] Fragrance and flavoring test sample G:

[0071] The flavoring was prepared according to Table 8 using a product with a triacetin content of 98%; the flavoring formula is shown in Table 8. After the mixture was thoroughly stirred and left to stand, the solution was found to be cloudy and separated into oil and water layers, which did not meet the requirements for flavorings used in tobacco.

[0072] Table 8

[0073]

[0074] Comparative Example 3

[0075] Fragrance and flavoring experimental sample H:

[0076] The mixed solvent for the flavoring formula does not use glyceryl diacetate; instead, propylene glycol is used. After thoroughly mixing and stirring 24.50g of concentrated flavoring, 2g of menthol, 45g of propylene glycol, and 28.50g of water, and allowing it to stand, an oil layer separates, resulting in oil-water separation. This does not meet the requirements for flavorings used in tobacco products.

[0077]

[0078] The fragrance control sample, and experimental samples A, B, C, D, and E were compared by smell. The results showed that the quality style characteristics of the fragrances in each experimental sample were consistent with those of the fragrance control sample, with no difference.

[0079] Using a specific grade of cigarette as the flavoring agent, flavored cigarettes were prepared via injection. The flavoring effects were evaluated on the control sample, experimental samples A, B, C, D, and E of the flavoring agent. The results showed that the quality and style characteristics of the flavored cigarettes with the flavoring agent were consistent with those of the control sample, with virtually no negative sensory impact.

[0080] The above embodiments illustrate that the solvent system for a tobacco flavoring agent according to the present invention, and the high flash point tobacco flavoring agent prepared from the solvent system, can effectively increase the flash point of the tobacco flavoring agent, reducing the difficulty of safety management in production, storage, transportation and use; moreover, the obtained flavoring agent is completely uniform, transparent and clear, without turbidity, oil droplets, oil-water separation and other phenomena, the flavoring quality is stable and controllable, and the cigarette flavoring process and flavoring quality are stable and controllable; the olfactory quality and style characteristics of the obtained flavoring agent, as well as the quality and style characteristics of cigarette flavoring evaluation, are consistent with the flavoring agent control sample, with basically no negative sensory impact.

Claims

1. A flavoring agent for tobacco, characterized in that, It comprises a mixed solvent and a tobacco flavoring raw material dissolved in the mixed solvent; The mixed solvent is a mixed solvent for tobacco flavoring, which is composed of glyceryl diacetate, propylene glycol and water; or composed of glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl monoacetate, propylene glycol and water; the total amount of glyceryl triacetate and glyceryl monoacetate is less than the amount of glyceryl diacetate. The diacetylglycerol is present in 5-13 parts by weight, propylene glycol is present in 25-35 parts by weight, and water is present in 20-40 parts by weight. The aforementioned tobacco flavoring essence comprises hydrophilic tobacco flavoring raw materials and lipophilic tobacco flavoring raw materials, which include concentrated flavor base and menthol; the concentrated flavor base includes tobacco extract, monk fruit extract, trimethylpyrazine, oxoionone and octahydrocoumarin.

2. The flavoring agent for tobacco as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of diacetylglycerol to triacetylglycerol is greater than or equal to 2.

5.

3. The flavoring agent for tobacco as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Its flash point is not lower than 60℃.

4. The flavoring agent for tobacco as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Its flash point is not lower than 75℃.

5. The flavoring agent for tobacco as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In the aforementioned tobacco flavoring, the tobacco flavoring raw material comprises 15-45% by weight, with the remainder being the aforementioned mixed solvent.

6. The flavoring agent for tobacco as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the aforementioned tobacco flavoring, the content of diacetylglycerol is 5% to 13% of the tobacco flavoring by mass, the total content of propylene glycol and water is 45% to 65% of the tobacco flavoring by mass, wherein the content of water is 20% to 30% of the tobacco flavoring by mass; the remainder is tobacco flavoring raw material.

7. The application of the tobacco flavoring essence according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It is added to tobacco to flavor cigarettes.

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