Plant particle and preparation method and application thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a preparation method of plant particles, which comprises the following steps: (1) crushing blocky plants for the first time, and controlling the particle size of discharged materials to be less than 5mm; (2) screening for the first time, and collecting particles with the particle size of 10-60 meshes; (3) carrying out secondary crushing on the residual large particles, and controlling the particle size of the discharged material to be less than 5mm; (4) screening the material for the second time, and collecting particles with the particle size of 10-60 meshes; (5) combining the obtained particles, adding water in an atomized form, and controlling the water activity of the particles to meet the requirement; and (6) baking the obtained particles at a certain temperature for a period of time, and cooling to room temperature to obtain the plant particles. The invention further discloses the plant particles and application of the plant particles to a cigarette filter stick additive. The preparation method disclosed by the invention is low in plant raw material treatment intensity, outstanding in sweet feeling and easy to popularize and apply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of tobacco, and in particular relates to a plant particle, a preparation method thereof and use thereof for increasing the sweetness of cigarettes. Background Art

[0002] As cigarette consumers pay more and more attention to their own health, how to reduce the harm of cigarettes while enhancing the sweetness of smoking cigarettes, increasing the comfort of smoking cigarettes, and improving the quality of cigarettes has become a hot topic of research and development for cigarette manufacturers.

[0003] At present, the most common way to improve the sweetness and comfort of cigarette smoking is to add plant particles into cigarette filters, which has achieved good results and received praise from consumers. There are two main ways to produce plant particles. One is to crush and screen the plant blocks to obtain particles of the required size; the other is to crush the plants into powder, then add adhesives to prepare them into particles. The disadvantage of the first method is that the finished particles have a green smell and the sweetness is not obvious; the disadvantage of the second method is that in addition to the green smell and the sweetness is not obvious, the added adhesive will also produce additional smells, which will have a certain impact on the sensory quality.

[0004] Therefore, how to reduce the green smell and impurities and enhance the sweetness during the particle preparation process has become a technical problem to be solved in the tobacco field. For this purpose, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a plant particle that increases the sweetness of cigarettes and a preparation method. The method of the present invention is to crush blocky plant raw materials with high sugar content or high starch content, and then screen and collect particles within a certain particle size range; crush large particles that exceed the particle size range again, and screen and collect particles within a specified particle size range; and subject the particles within the specified particle size range collected twice to water activity control treatment and sealed baking at a specific temperature to obtain the plant particles that increase the sweetness of cigarettes. The plant particles prepared by the method of the present invention have a 12%-30% enhanced sweetness, a 10%-25% reduced green odor, an 8%-16% increased smoke richness, and no external impurities are generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention discloses a method for preparing plant particles, comprising the following steps:

[0008] (1) Put the blocky plant material into a crusher for the first crushing, and control the output particle size to be less than 5 mm;

[0009] (2) screening the material obtained in step (1) for the first time to collect particles with a particle size of 10-60 mesh;

[0010] (3) sending the remaining large particles from step (2) into the crusher for a second crushing, and controlling the discharge particle size to be less than 5 mm;

[0011] (4) screening the material obtained in step (3) for a second time to collect particles with a particle size of 10-60 mesh;

[0012] (5) combining the particles obtained in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization, and controlling the water activity of the particles to meet the requirements;

[0013] (6) baking the particles obtained in step (5) at a certain temperature for a period of time, and cooling to room temperature to obtain plant particles.

[0014] Preferably, the plant material is a starch-containing plant.

[0015] Preferably, in step (5), the water activity of the particles is controlled to be 0.59-0.70.

[0016] Preferably, the baking temperature in step (6) is 80° C.-130° C., and the baking time is 8 min.-30 min.

[0017] Preferably, the starch-containing plant is one or more of potato, kudzu root, carrot, taro, lotus root, pumpkin or sweet potato.

[0018] The second aspect of the present invention discloses plant particles prepared by the preparation method.

[0019] The third aspect of the present invention discloses the use of the plant particles as a cigarette filter rod additive.

[0020] Preferably, the plant particles are used to increase the sweetness of cigarettes.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The preparation method of the present invention prepares plant particles for use in cigarette filter rods. Compared with plant particles obtained by a traditional direct crushing and granulation method for use in cigarette filter rods, the sweetness of cigarette smoke is improved by 12%-30%, the raw green impurities are reduced by 10%-25%, the richness of smoke is increased by 8%-16%, and no foreign impurities are generated, thereby significantly improving product quality.

[0023] The water activity of plant particles is a measure of the state of water in plant particles, that is, the degree of combination of water and plant particles, and the degree of water availability in plant particles; controlling the water activity of plant particles is more scientific and accurate than controlling the moisture content of plant particles; the present invention improves the quality of cigarette smoke in cigarette filter rods by accurately controlling the water activity of plant particles to 0.59-0.70, while the quality of plant particles not within this range is not significantly improved. The preparation method of the present invention has low processing intensity for plant raw materials, outstanding sweetness, and is easy to promote and apply. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments, but is not intended to limit the present invention. Any changes or improvements made based on the teachings of the present invention fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0025] If no specific techniques or conditions are specified in the examples, the techniques or conditions described in the literature in the field or the product instructions are used. If no manufacturer is specified for the reagents or instruments used, they are all conventional products that can be purchased.

[0026] In addition, since there is currently no standard testing instrument for the evaluation of cigarette aroma, the present invention adopts the most common sensory evaluation method in the cigarette field for testing. 10 professional sensory evaluators smoke the cigarette samples of the following comparative examples and embodiments, and score the sweetness, irritation, aroma richness, and smoke comfort of each sample smoke and take the average value. The average value is used to calculate the degree of improvement of each indicator of the cigarette sample with added flavors relative to the original cigarette sample without added flavors.

[0027] Example 1: Preparation of potato particles, the following steps:

[0028] (1) Put the potato block raw material into a crusher for crushing, and control the output particle size to 4mm;

[0029] (2) sieving the material obtained in step (1) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0030] (3) sending the remaining large particles exceeding the particle size range in step (2) to the crusher for crushing again, and controlling the output particle size to be less than 4 mm;

[0031] (4) sieving the material obtained in step (3) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0032] (5) combining the particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh collected in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization under stirring or tumbling conditions, and controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.59;

[0033] (6) The particles obtained in step (5) are placed in an oven or heater, and baked in a sealed manner at 80° C. for 10 min. After cooling to room temperature, plant particles are obtained.

[0034] The obtained potato particles are put into a filter tip forming device for production to obtain a cigarette filter tip containing potato particles, and the cigarette filter tip is used for manufacturing cigarettes.

[0035] Compared with cigarettes manufactured without adding potato particles, the sweetness of the smoke of this embodiment is significantly improved.

[0036] Compared with the cigarettes made from potato particles obtained by direct crushing and granulation using the traditional process, the sweetness of the smoke in this embodiment is significantly improved, but the raw and green smell is significantly reduced; and no foreign smell is generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0037] Example 2: Preparation of Pueraria lobata granules, the following steps:

[0038] (1) Put the blocky kudzu root raw material into a crusher for crushing, and control the output particle size to 5 mm;

[0039] (2) sieving the material obtained in step (1) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0040] (3) sending the remaining large particles exceeding the particle size range in step (2) into the crusher again for crushing, and controlling the output particle size to be less than 5 mm;

[0041] (4) sieving the material obtained in step (3) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0042] (5) combining the particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh collected in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization under stirring or tumbling conditions, and controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.63;

[0043] (6) The particles obtained in step (5) are placed in an oven or heater, and baked in a sealed manner at 110° C. for 10 min. After cooling to room temperature, plant particles are obtained.

[0044] The obtained kudzu root particle material is put into a mouthpiece forming device for production to obtain a cigarette filter containing kudzu root particles and manufacture cigarettes.

[0045] Compared with cigarettes made without kudzu root particles, the sweetness of the smoke is significantly improved.

[0046] The cigarettes made by using the kudzu root particles obtained by the traditional direct crushing and granulation method have significantly improved the sweetness of the smoke of this embodiment, but the raw and green smell is significantly reduced; and no foreign smell is generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0047] Example 3: Preparation of carrot particles, following steps:

[0048] (1) Put the block carrot raw material into a crusher for crushing, and control the discharge particle size to 3 mm;

[0049] (2) sieving the material obtained in step (1) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0050] (3) sending the remaining large particles exceeding the particle size range in step (2) into the crusher again for crushing, and controlling the output particle size to be less than 5 mm;

[0051] (4) sieving the material obtained in step (3) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0052] (5) combining the particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh collected in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization under stirring or tumbling conditions, and controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.68;

[0053] (6) The particles obtained in step (5) are placed in an oven or heater, and baked in a sealed manner at 100° C. for 15 min. After cooling to room temperature, plant particles are obtained.

[0054] The obtained carrot particle material is put into a filter tip forming device for production to obtain a cigarette filter tip containing carrot particles and manufacture cigarettes.

[0055] Compared with the cigarettes manufactured without adding carrot particles, the sweetness of the smoke of this embodiment is significantly improved.

[0056] Compared with the cigarettes made of carrot particles obtained by the traditional direct crushing and granulation method, the sweetness of the smoke in this embodiment is also significantly improved, but the raw and green smell is significantly reduced; and no foreign smell is generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0057] Example 4: Preparation of taro particles, following steps:

[0058] (1) Put the block taro raw material into a crusher and crush it to control the discharging particle size to 5mm;

[0059] (2) sieving the material obtained in step (1) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0060] (3) sending the remaining large particles exceeding the particle size range in step (2) into the crusher again for crushing, and controlling the output particle size to be less than 5 mm;

[0061] (4) sieving the material obtained in step (3) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0062] (5) combining the particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh collected in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization under stirring or tumbling conditions, and controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.70;

[0063] (6) The particles obtained in step (5) are placed in an oven or a heater, and baked in a sealed manner at 100° C. for 20 min. After cooling to room temperature, plant particles are obtained.

[0064] The obtained taro particle material is put into a filter rod forming device for production to obtain a cigarette filter containing taro particles and manufacture cigarettes.

[0065] Compared with the cigarettes manufactured without adding taro particles, the sweetness of the smoke of this embodiment is significantly improved.

[0066] Compared with the cigarettes made of taro particles obtained by direct crushing and granulation using the traditional process, the sweetness of the smoke in this embodiment is also significantly improved, but the raw and green smell is significantly reduced; and no foreign smell is generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0067] Example 5: Preparation of lotus root particles, the following steps:

[0068] (1) Put the block lotus root raw material into a crusher for crushing, and control the output particle size to 4 mm;

[0069] (2) sieving the material obtained in step (1) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0070] (3) sending the remaining large particles exceeding the particle size range in step (2) to the crusher for crushing again, and controlling the output particle size to be less than 4 mm;

[0071] (4) sieving the material obtained in step (3) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0072] (5) combining the particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh collected in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization under stirring or tumbling conditions, and controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.68;

[0073] (6) The particles obtained in step (5) are placed in an oven or heater, and baked in a sealed manner at 110° C. for 20 min. After cooling to room temperature, plant particles are obtained.

[0074] The obtained lotus root particle material is put into a filter rod forming device for production to obtain a cigarette filter containing lotus root particles and manufacture cigarettes.

[0075] Compared with cigarettes made without adding lotus root particles, the sweetness of the smoke is significantly improved.

[0076] Compared with cigarettes made with lotus root particle materials prepared by traditional technology, the sweetness of the smoke is significantly improved, the raw and green smell is significantly reduced, the smoke comfort is significantly increased; and no additional smell is produced, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0077] Example 6: Preparation of pumpkin particles, the following steps:

[0078] (1) Put the block pumpkin raw material into a crusher for crushing, and control the discharge particle size to 3 mm;

[0079] (2) sieving the material obtained in step (1) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0080] (3) sending the remaining large particles exceeding the particle size range in step (2) into the crusher again for crushing, and controlling the output particle size to be less than 3 mm;

[0081] (4) sieving the material obtained in step (3) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0082] (5) combining the particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh collected in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization under stirring or tumbling conditions, and controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.59;

[0083] (6) The particles obtained in step (5) are placed in an oven or heater, and baked in a sealed manner at 90° C. for 15 min. After cooling to room temperature, plant particles are obtained.

[0084] The obtained pumpkin particle material is put into a filter tip forming device for production to obtain a cigarette filter tip containing pumpkin particles and manufacture cigarettes.

[0085] Compared with the cigarettes manufactured without adding pumpkin particle material, the sweetness of the smoke of this embodiment is significantly improved.

[0086] Compared with the cigarettes made of pumpkin particles obtained by the traditional direct crushing and granulation method, the sweetness of the smoke in this embodiment is also significantly improved, but the raw and green smell is significantly reduced; and no foreign smell is generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0087] Example 7: Preparation of sweet potato particles, as follows:

[0088] (1) Put the blocky sweet potato raw material into a crusher for crushing, and control the output particle size to 5 mm;

[0089] (2) sieving the material obtained in step (1) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0090] (3) sending the remaining large particles exceeding the particle size range in step (2) into the crusher again for crushing, and controlling the output particle size to be less than 5 mm;

[0091] (4) sieving the material obtained in step (3) to collect particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh;

[0092] (5) combining the particles with a particle size range of 10-60 mesh collected in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization under stirring or tumbling conditions, and controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.65;

[0093] (6) placing the particles obtained in step (5) into an oven or heater, and baking them in a sealed manner at 110° C. for 20 min, and cooling them to room temperature to obtain sweet potato particles.

[0094] The obtained sweet potato particle material is put into a filter rod forming device for production to obtain a cigarette filter containing sweet potato particles and manufacture cigarettes.

[0095] Compared with the cigarettes made without adding sweet potato particles, the sweetness of the smoke of this embodiment is significantly improved.

[0096] Compared with the cigarettes made from sweet potato particles obtained by the traditional direct crushing and granulation method, the sweetness of the smoke in this embodiment is significantly improved, but the raw and green smell is significantly reduced; and no foreign smell is generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0097] Comparative Example 1: The plant particles were prepared by the conventional direct crushing and granulation method.

[0098] The method of the present invention is compared with the traditional direct pulverization granulation method, and the results are as follows:

[0099] Direct pulverization and granulation method: Direct pulverization and granulation method is to crush and screen the plant blocks to obtain particles of the desired size, and then directly add them to the cigarette filter. The sensory evaluation results show that the plant particles prepared by humidification, baking and other processing in Examples 1-7 are added to the cigarette filter. Compared with the cigarette filter with the plant particles prepared by the traditional direct pulverization and granulation method, the sweetness of the cigarette smoke is increased by 12%-30%, the green impurities are reduced by 12%-25%, and the richness of the smoke is increased by 8%-16%.

[0100] Comparative Example 2: Traditional powder granulation method.

[0101] The results of the method of the present invention and the traditional powder granulation method are compared, and the results are as follows:

[0102] Powder granulation method: The powder granulation method is to first crush the plant into powder, then add a binder to prepare granules, and then directly add them to the cigarette filter. The sensory evaluation results show that the granules prepared after humidification, baking and other processing in Examples 1-7 are added to the cigarette filter. Compared with the cigarette filter with the granules prepared by the traditional powder granulation method, the sweetness of the cigarette smoke is increased by 15%-25%, the green impurities are reduced by 10%-20%, the richness of the smoke is increased by 10%-15%, and no external impurities are generated, and the product quality is significantly improved.

[0103] Comparative Example 3: Same as Example 1, except that the water activity of the particles is controlled at 0.50.

[0104] The sensory evaluation results showed that the potato particles obtained by controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.50 had a sweetness improvement of about 50% of the sweetness of the potato particles obtained in Example 1 in cigarette smoke.

[0105] Comparative Example 4: Same as Example 1, except that the water activity of the particles is controlled at 0.80.

[0106] The sensory evaluation results showed that the potato particles obtained by controlling the water activity of the particles to 0.80 had a sweetness and mellowness in cigarette smoke that was about 60% of the sweetness and mellowness of the potato particles obtained in Example 1.

[0107] The above description is only used to introduce the specific implementation methods of the present invention in detail, but the technical solution proposed by the present invention is not limited to the above method. Without departing from the basic principles of the present technology, equivalent modifications and changes made by those skilled in the art to the technology proposed by the present invention should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for preparing plant particles, characterized in that: The steps include: (1) crushing the bulk plant material for the first time to control the particle size of the material to be less than 5 mm; (2) screening the material obtained in step (1) for the first time to collect particles with a particle size of 10-60 mesh; (3) crushing the remaining large particles in step (2) for a second time to control the particle size of the output to be less than 5 mm; (4) screening the material obtained in step (3) for a second time to collect particles with a particle size of 10-60 mesh; (5) combining the particles obtained in step (2) and step (4), adding water in the form of atomization, and controlling the water activity of the particles to meet the requirements; (6) baking the particles obtained in step (5) at a certain temperature for a period of time, and cooling to room temperature to obtain the plant particles.

2. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Plant raw materials are starch-containing plants.

3. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step (5) controls the water activity of the particles to be 0.59-0.

70.

4. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baking temperature in step (6) is 80° C.-130° C., and the baking time is 8 min.-30 min.

5. The preparation method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The starch-containing plants are one or more of potatoes, kudzu root, carrots, taro, lotus root, pumpkin or sweet potato.

6. The plant particles prepared according to any one of the preparation methods of claims 1-5.

7. Use of the plant particles according to claim 6 as a cigarette filter rod additive.

8. The use according to claim 7, characterized in that: The plant particles are used to increase the sweetness of cigarettes.