A composition, method and use thereof for reducing leaf dusting

Abstract

This invention discloses a composition, method, and application for reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation, relating to the field of tobacco processing technology. This invention utilizes the synergistic effect between gentianic acid and 4-hexylresorcinol, spraying them onto the surface of tobacco leaves before conventional curing processes. This significantly inhibits the activity of polyphenol oxidase, thereby greatly reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation. Simultaneously, it can increase the yield of high-grade and medium-grade tobacco, improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco processing technology, and in particular to a composition, method and application for reducing ash accumulation on tobacco leaves. Background Technology

[0002] Curing is the final and crucial step in tobacco processing that determines the yield and quality of tobacco leaves. However, after curing, indistinct gray or dark brown spots of varying sizes appear on the surface of the tobacco leaves; this phenomenon is called ash residue. Ash-residue tobacco has weak combustion, an off-flavor, poor aroma quality, low aroma intensity, increased irritation, and overall reduced quality, severely impacting the usability of the flue-cured tobacco. Related technologies often aim to improve ash residue by adjusting curing conditions, but this requires a high level of skill and experience from the operator, has poor operability, and yields unsatisfactory results.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a composition that can effectively improve the phenomenon of ash accumulation on tobacco leaves. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a composition for reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation, which can effectively reduce the proportion of ash-covered tobacco leaves.

[0005] The present invention also provides a tobacco leaf ash inhibitor.

[0006] The present invention also provides a method for reducing ash accumulation on tobacco leaves.

[0007] The present invention also provides the application of the above composition, the above tobacco ash inhibitor, or the above method.

[0008] A composition for reducing tobacco ash accumulation according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises gentian acid and 4-hexylresorcinol; wherein the mass ratio of gentian acid to 4-hexylresorcinol is 1:0.05 to 1.

[0009] The composition according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0010] The synergistic effect between gentic acid and 4-hexylresorcinol can significantly inhibit the activity of polyphenol oxidase, reduce tobacco ash accumulation, and increase the yield of high-grade and medium-grade tobacco, thus greatly improving production efficiency.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the mass ratio of gentianic acid to 4-hexylresorcinol is 1:0.1 to 0.6. For example, it can be 1:0.1, 1:0.15, 1:0.2, 1:0.25, 1:0.3, 1:0.35, 1:0.4, 1:0.45, 1:0.5, 1:0.55, or 1:0.6.

[0012] A tobacco ash inhibitor according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises the above-described composition.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the mass percentage of the composition in the tobacco ash inhibitor is 3 wt% to 6 wt%. For example, it can be 3 wt%, 3.4 wt%, 3.8 wt%, 4.2 wt%, 4.6 wt%, 5 wt%, 5.2 wt%, 5.6 wt%, or 6 wt%.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the mass percentage of the composition in the tobacco ash inhibitor is 3.2 wt% to 5.5 wt%.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tobacco ash inhibitor further includes water.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tobacco ash inhibitor may further include other substances that help reduce tobacco ash accumulation. The substances are preferably those that do not affect the effects of gentian acid and 4-hexylresorcinol. The substances include polyphenol oxidase inhibitors. The polyphenol oxidase inhibitors include at least one selected from cysteine, thiourea, citric acid, isocitrate, and glycyrrhizin.

[0017] A method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the following steps: contacting the tobacco leaves with the above-described composition or the above-described tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor followed by baking. Since the method employs all the technical solutions of the compositions or tobacco ash accumulation inhibitors of the above embodiments, it possesses at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the method specifically includes the following steps:

[0019] S1. Contact the tobacco leaves with the composition or the tobacco ash inhibitor;

[0020] S2, Yellowing stage:

[0021] S21) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 35.5℃~36.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 34℃~36℃, and bake until the tips of the leaves in the high-temperature layer turn yellow;

[0022] S22) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 37.5℃~38.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 35.5℃~36.5℃, and bake until the middle of the high-temperature layer of leaves turns yellow;

[0023] S23) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 39.5℃~40.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37℃~39℃, and bake until the base of the leaves in the high-temperature layer turns greenish-yellow;

[0024] S24) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 41.5℃~42.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37℃~38℃, and bake until the base of the leaf in the low-temperature layer is slightly bluish, the midrib is soft, and the leaf collapses.

[0025] S3, Color Fixing Period:

[0026] S31) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 44.5℃~45.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 36.5℃~37.5℃, and bake until the leaf base veins in the low-temperature layer are completely white and the tobacco leaves have hooked tips;

[0027] S32) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 47.5℃~48.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37.5℃~38.5℃, and bake until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is completely white, forming small tobacco rolls;

[0028] S33) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 53.5℃~54.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 38.5℃~39.5℃, and bake the tobacco leaves into large rolls at the low temperature layer;

[0029] S4, Drying stage:

[0030] S41) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 59.5℃~60.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 39.5℃~40.5℃, and bake until the main vein of the low-temperature layer turns purple;

[0031] S42) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 67.5℃~68.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 41.5℃~42.5℃, and bake until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is dry.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the dosage of the tobacco ash inhibitor is 1L of tobacco ash inhibitor / 800-1000 tobacco leaves.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the contact method in step S1 includes at least one of spraying, impregnation, and coating. Spraying is preferred.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S21) is 1℃ / 0.8h to 1.2h; and / or the baking time is 5h to 7h.

[0035] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S22) is 1°C / 1.8h to 2.2h; and / or the baking time is 18h to 24h.

[0036] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S23) is 1°C / 1.8h to 2.2h; and / or the baking time is 8h to 14h.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S24) is 1°C / 1.8h to 2.2h; and / or the baking time is 12h to 16h.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S31) is 1°C / 2 to 4 hours; and / or the baking time is 10 to 12 hours.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S32) is 1°C / 2 to 4 hours; and / or the baking time is 12 hours to 18 hours.

[0040] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S33) is 1°C / 1.8h to 2.2h; and / or the baking time is 11h to 13h.

[0041] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S41) is 1°C / 0.8h to 1.2h; and / or the baking time is 5h to 7h.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heating rate in step S42) is 1°C / 0.8h to 1.2h; and / or the baking time is 18h to 22h.

[0043] The application of the above-described composition, the above-described tobacco ash inhibitor, or the above-described method in tobacco processing according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0044] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The following will describe the concept and technical effects of the present invention clearly and completely with reference to embodiments, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] Unless otherwise specified in the examples, the procedures should be performed under standard conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer. Reagents or instruments whose manufacturers are not specified are all commercially available products.

[0047] In the description of this invention, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, or product that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such processes, methods, or products.

[0048] When a numerical range is disclosed herein, the range is considered continuous and includes the minimum and maximum values ​​of the range, as well as every value between the minimum and maximum values. Furthermore, when the range refers to integers, it includes every integer between the minimum and maximum values ​​of the range. Additionally, when multiple ranges are provided to describe a feature or characteristic, the ranges may be combined. In other words, unless otherwise specified, all ranges disclosed herein should be understood to include any and all subranges to which they are incorporated.

[0049] In this embodiment, the "high-temperature layer" in the method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation refers to the bottom layer of the curing barn in the case of an upward airflow type, and the top layer of the curing barn in the case of a downward airflow type.

[0050] In this embodiment, the "low-temperature layer" in the method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation refers to the top layer of the curing barn when the airflow rises, and the bottom layer when the airflow descends.

[0051] Example 1

[0052] This embodiment provides a composition for reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation, which is obtained by mixing gentian acid and 4-hexylresorcinol in a mass ratio of 1:0.6.

[0053] This embodiment also provides a tobacco ash inhibitor containing an aqueous solution of 3.2 wt% of the above composition.

[0054] This embodiment also provides a method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation, based on the aforementioned tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor. The steps are as follows:

[0055] S1. Spray the above-mentioned tobacco ash inhibitor evenly onto the surface of the tobacco leaves, with a spraying amount of 1000 tablets / L;

[0056] S2, Yellowing stage:

[0057] After ignition (S21), raise the dry bulb temperature to 36°C and the wet bulb temperature to 34°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 6 hours until the tips of the leaves in the high-temperature layer turn yellow.

[0058] S22) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 38°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 36°C at a rate of 1°C / 2h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 24h until the middle of the high-temperature layer turns yellow.

[0059] S23) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 40°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 37°C at a rate of 1°C / 2h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 14h until the base of the leaf in the high-temperature layer turns greenish-yellow.

[0060] S24) Increase the dry bulb temperature to 42℃ at a heating rate of 1℃ / 2h, and keep the wet bulb temperature at 37℃. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 16h until the base of the leaf in the low temperature layer is slightly bluish, the midrib softens, and the leaf collapses.

[0061] S3, Color Fixing Period:

[0062] S31) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 45℃ at a rate of 1℃ / 2h, and keep the temperature of the wet bulb at 37℃. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 12h until the veins at the base of the leaves in the low-temperature layer are completely white and the tips of the tobacco leaves are hooked.

[0063] S32) At a heating rate of 1℃ / 2h, raise the dry bulb temperature to 48℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 38℃. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 18h until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is completely white and the tobacco leaves are rolled into small tubes.

[0064] S33) At a heating rate of 1℃ / 2h, the dry bulb temperature is raised to 54℃ and the wet bulb temperature is raised to 39℃. After the temperature stabilizes, the tobacco leaves are baked for 12h to reach the low-temperature layer tobacco leaf roll.

[0065] S4, Drying stage:

[0066] S41) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 60°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 40°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 6 hours until the main vein of the low-temperature layer turns purple.

[0067] S42) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 68°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 42°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 22 hours until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is dry.

[0068] Example 2

[0069] This embodiment provides a composition for reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation, which is obtained by mixing gentian acid and 4-hexylresorcinol in a mass ratio of 1:0.1.

[0070] This embodiment also provides a tobacco ash inhibitor containing an aqueous solution of 5.5 wt% of the above composition.

[0071] This embodiment also provides a method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation, based on the aforementioned tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor. The steps are as follows:

[0072] S1. Spray the above-mentioned tobacco ash inhibitor evenly onto the surface of the tobacco leaves at a rate of 800 tablets / L.

[0073] S2, Yellowing stage:

[0074] After ignition (S21), raise the dry bulb temperature to 36°C and the wet bulb temperature to 36°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 6 hours until the tips of the leaves in the high-temperature layer turn yellow.

[0075] S22) Increase the dry bulb temperature to 38°C at a heating rate of 1°C / 2h, and keep the wet bulb temperature at 36°C. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 18h until the middle of the high-temperature layer turns yellow.

[0076] S23) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 40°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 39°C at a rate of 1°C / 2h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 8 hours until the base of the leaf in the high-temperature layer turns greenish-yellow.

[0077] S24) Increase the dry bulb temperature to 42℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 38℃ at a heating rate of 1℃ / 2h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 12h until the leaf base in the low temperature layer is slightly bluish, the midrib softens, and the leaves collapse.

[0078] S3, Color Fixing Period:

[0079] S31) Increase the dry bulb temperature to 45℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37℃ at a heating rate of 1℃ / 4h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 10h until the leaf base veins in the low-temperature layer are completely white and the tobacco leaves have hooked tips.

[0080] S32) At a heating rate of 1℃ / 4h, the dry bulb temperature is raised to 48℃ and the wet bulb temperature is raised to 38℃. After the temperature stabilizes, the tobacco leaves are baked for 12h until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is completely white and the tobacco leaves are rolled into small tubes.

[0081] S33) At a heating rate of 1℃ / 2h, the dry bulb temperature is raised to 54℃ and the wet bulb temperature is raised to 39℃. After the temperature stabilizes, the tobacco leaves are baked for 12h to reach the low-temperature layer tobacco leaf roll.

[0082] S4, Drying stage:

[0083] S41) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 60°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 40°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 6 hours until the main vein of the low-temperature layer turns purple.

[0084] S42) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 68°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 42°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 18 hours until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is dry.

[0085] Example 3

[0086] This embodiment provides a composition for reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation, which is obtained by mixing gentian acid and 4-hexylresorcinol in a mass ratio of 1:0.3.

[0087] This embodiment also provides a tobacco ash inhibitor containing an aqueous solution of 3.2 wt% of the above composition.

[0088] This embodiment also provides a method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation, based on the aforementioned tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor. The steps are as follows:

[0089] S1. Spray the above-mentioned tobacco ash inhibitor evenly onto the surface of the tobacco leaves at a rate of 900 tablets / L.

[0090] S2, Yellowing stage:

[0091] After ignition (S21), raise the dry bulb temperature to 36°C and the wet bulb temperature to 35°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 6 hours until the tips of the leaves in the high-temperature layer turn yellow.

[0092] S22) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 38°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 36°C at a rate of 1°C / 2h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 20h until the middle of the high-temperature layer turns yellow.

[0093] S23) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 40°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 38°C at a rate of 1°C / 2h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 10h until the base of the leaf in the high-temperature layer turns greenish-yellow.

[0094] S24) Increase the dry bulb temperature to 42℃ at a heating rate of 1℃ / 2h, and keep the wet bulb temperature at 38℃. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 14h until the base of the leaf in the low temperature layer is slightly bluish, the midrib softens, and the leaf collapses.

[0095] S3, Color Fixing Period:

[0096] S31) Increase the dry bulb temperature to 45℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37℃ at a heating rate of 1℃ / 4h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 10h until the leaf base veins in the low-temperature layer are completely white and the tobacco leaves have hooked tips.

[0097] S32) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 48℃ and the temperature of the wet bulb to 38℃ at a rate of 1℃ / 4h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 16h until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is completely white and the tobacco leaves are rolled into small rolls.

[0098] S33) At a heating rate of 1℃ / 2h, the dry bulb temperature is raised to 54℃ and the wet bulb temperature is raised to 39℃. After the temperature stabilizes, the tobacco leaves are baked for 12h to reach the low-temperature layer tobacco leaf roll.

[0099] S4, Drying stage:

[0100] S41) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 60°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 40°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 6 hours until the main vein of the low-temperature layer turns purple.

[0101] S42) Increase the temperature of the dry bulb to 68°C and the temperature of the wet bulb to 42°C at a heating rate of 1°C / h. After the temperature stabilizes, bake for 20 hours until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is dry.

[0102] Comparative Example 1

[0103] This comparative example provides a tobacco leaf ash inhibitor, which is an aqueous solution containing 2 wt% gentianic acid.

[0104] This comparative example also provides a method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation, based on the tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor of this comparative example. The steps are basically the same as in Example 1, except that the tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor used in step S1 is different.

[0105] Comparative Example 2

[0106] This comparative example provides a tobacco ash inhibitor, which is an aqueous solution containing 1.2 wt% 4-hexylresorcinol.

[0107] This comparative example also provides a method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation, based on the tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor of this comparative example. The steps are basically the same as in Example 1, except that the tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor used in step S1 is different.

[0108] Comparative Example 3

[0109] This embodiment provides a method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation. The steps are basically the same as those in Embodiment 1, except that the tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor in step S1 is replaced with water.

[0110] Comparative Example 4

[0111] This comparative example provides a composition for reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation, which is obtained by mixing cysteine ​​and 4-hexylresorcinol in a mass ratio of 1:0.6.

[0112] This comparative example also provides a tobacco ash inhibitor containing an aqueous solution of 3.2 wt% of the above composition.

[0113] This comparative example provides a method for reducing tobacco ash accumulation, based on the tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor of this comparative example. The steps are basically the same as in Example 1, except that the tobacco ash accumulation inhibitor used in step S1 is different.

[0114] Detection example

[0115] Five thousand pieces of Yunyan 87 upper tobacco leaves with similar freshness and quality were treated using the methods of Examples 1-2 and Comparative Examples 1-4, and the proportions of high-grade tobacco, medium-grade tobacco and ash-covered tobacco after baking were counted.

[0116] The statistical results are shown in Table 1.

[0117] Table 1

[0118]

[0119]

[0120] Pre-spraying the composition of Example 1 or 2 can significantly reduce the proportion of ash smoke and increase the proportion of high-quality and medium-quality tobacco. The absence of either gentianic acid or 4-hexylresorcinol will result in poorer curing performance. This indicates that gentianic acid and 4-hexylresorcinol can synergistically reduce the proportion of ash smoke and improve the quality of the obtained flue-cured tobacco.

[0121] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. Use of a composition for reducing leaf dusting, characterized in that, The composition comprises gentic acid and 4-hexylresorcinol; the mass ratio of gentic acid to 4-hexylresorcinol is 1:0.1~0.6; The method for reducing tobacco leaf ash accumulation using the composition includes the following steps: S1. To bring tobacco leaves into contact with a tobacco ash inhibitor comprising the composition; The mass percentage of the composition in the tobacco ash inhibitor is 3.2wt%~5.5wt%; the dosage of the tobacco ash inhibitor is 1 L tobacco ash inhibitor / 800~1000 tobacco leaves; S2, Yellowing stage: S21) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 35.5℃~36.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 34℃~36℃, and bake until the tips of the leaves in the high-temperature layer turn yellow; S22) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 37.5℃~38.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 35.5℃~36.5℃, and bake until the middle of the high-temperature layer of leaves turns yellow; S23) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 39.5℃~40.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37℃~39℃, and bake until the base of the leaves in the high-temperature layer turns greenish-yellow; S24) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 41.5℃~42.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37℃~38℃, and bake until the base of the leaf in the low-temperature layer is slightly bluish, the midrib is soft, and the leaf collapses. S3, Color Fixing Period: S31) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 44.5℃~45.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 36.5℃~37.5℃, and bake until the leaf base veins in the low-temperature layer are completely white and the tobacco leaves have hooked tips; S32) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 47.5℃~48.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 37.5℃~38.5℃, and bake until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is completely white, forming small tobacco rolls; S33) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 53.5℃~54.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 38.5℃~39.5℃, and bake the tobacco leaves into large rolls at low temperature. S4, Drying stage: S41) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 59.5℃~60.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 39.5℃~40.5℃, and bake until the main vein of the low-temperature layer turns purple; S42) Adjust the dry bulb temperature to 67.5℃~68.5℃ and the wet bulb temperature to 41.5℃~42.5℃, and bake until the main vein of the low-temperature layer is dry.

2. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact method includes spraying.

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