Tobacco slurry, tobacco product, and method for storing tobacco slurry

Abstract

To provide a tobacco slurry which can suppress propagation of bacterial and mold with the lapse of time, and can impart good flavor.SOLUTION: A tobacco slurry contains water, ethanol and a tobacco material, where a content of the ethanol contained in 100 mass% of the tobacco slurry is 1 to 20 mass%.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tobacco slurry, a tobacco product, and a method for storing a tobacco slurry. [Background technology]

[0002] In tobacco products, flavors have been adjusted to develop tobacco products that meet various tastes. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for adjusting flavors, in which leaf tobacco particles are dispersed in a dispersion medium such as water to prepare a dispersion, and the dispersion is added to tobacco shreds by spraying or the like. The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a useful technique in that flavors can be imparted evenly to tobacco shreds, etc. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for reducing the viscosity of the dispersion from the viewpoint of improving sprayability during impartation, which includes a step of preparing a dispersion containing an aqueous dispersion medium and tobacco particles having an average particle size of 30 μm or less dispersed in the dispersion medium, and heating the dispersion to 160° C. or higher. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 185103 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 049207 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the present inventors have found that in a tobacco slurry obtained by mixing a tobacco material with water, bacteria and mold grow in the tobacco slurry during storage, causing the tobacco slurry to spoil over time and deteriorate in quality. This is believed to be due to the influence of bacteria and mold present on the surface of the tobacco material or bacteria and mold floating in the air. If the tobacco slurry spoils during storage, the flavor of the tobacco slurry changes, and there is a possibility that a good flavor cannot be imparted to a tobacco product.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tobacco slurry that can inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold over time and impart a good flavor, a tobacco product containing the tobacco slurry, and a method for storing the tobacco slurry. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0007] [1] A tobacco slurry comprising water, ethanol, and a tobacco material, The tobacco slurry has an ethanol content of 1 to 20% by mass contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry.

[0008] [2] The tobacco slurry according to [1], wherein the content of the water contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 55 to 96% by mass.

[0009] [3] The tobacco slurry according to [1] or [2], wherein the content of the tobacco material contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 3 to 25% by mass.

[0010] [4] The tobacco slurry according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the tobacco material is tobacco powder, tobacco shreds, tobacco sheets, or tobacco granules.

[0011] [5] The tobacco slurry according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the variety of tobacco raw material contained in the tobacco material is at least one selected from the group consisting of flue-cured, burley, native, and oriental leaves.

[0012] [6] A tobacco product comprising the tobacco slurry according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0013] [7] preparing a tobacco slurry containing water, ethanol, and a tobacco material; storing the tobacco slurry; 13. A method for storing tobacco slurry, comprising:

[0014] [8] The method according to [7], wherein the tobacco slurry is stored for one month or more.

[0015] [9] The method according to [7] or [8], wherein the content of the ethanol contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 1 to 20% by mass. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tobacco slurry that can inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold over time and impart a good flavor, a tobacco product containing the tobacco slurry, and a method for storing the tobacco slurry. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a combustion type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment, in which (a) the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is in a state before being inserted into a heating device, and (b) the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is in a state of being inserted into the heating device and heated. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a plot diagram showing the viable cell count and mold count versus storage period in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a plot diagram showing the viable cell count and mold count versus storage period in Examples 5 to 7 and Comparative Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] [Tobacco slurry] The tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment contains water, ethanol, and a tobacco material, wherein the content of the ethanol contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 1 to 20% by mass.

[0019] The present inventors have found that, by adding ethanol to a tobacco slurry containing water and a tobacco material, the growth of bacteria and mold over time can be suppressed and the quality deterioration of the tobacco slurry can be prevented. In particular, by making the content of ethanol contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry 1% by mass or more, the growth of bacteria and mold over time can be sufficiently suppressed and the quality deterioration of the tobacco slurry can be suppressed. Furthermore, by making the content of ethanol contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry 20% by mass or less, the change in flavor derived from ethanol can be reduced and a good flavor can be imparted to the tobacco product. The tobacco slurry according to this embodiment contains water, ethanol, and a tobacco material, and may contain other additives in addition to these.

[0020] (water) In this embodiment, the tobacco slurry contains water as a dispersion medium of the tobacco material. The content of water contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is preferably 55 to 96% by mass, more preferably 70 to 90% by mass, and even more preferably 77 to 84% by mass. When the content is 55% by mass or more, a homogeneous tobacco slurry can be obtained. Furthermore, when the content is 96% by mass or less, a sufficient flavor can be imparted to a tobacco product to which the tobacco slurry is added.

[0021] (ethanol) In this embodiment, the tobacco slurry contains ethanol from the viewpoint of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and mold over time. The content of ethanol contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 1 to 20% by mass, preferably 2 to 15% by mass, and more preferably 3 to 10% by mass. The amount of ethanol per 100 parts by mass of the tobacco material is preferably 5 to 200 parts by mass, more preferably 10 to 150 parts by mass, even more preferably 15 to 100 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 20 to 70 parts by mass.

[0022] (Tobacco Materials) In this embodiment, the tobacco material is not particularly limited as long as it contains tobacco components, but is preferably tobacco powder, tobacco shreds, tobacco sheets, or tobacco granules. The tobacco raw material, which is the raw material of the tobacco material, can be the whole tobacco or a part of the tobacco, and examples of the parts include leaves, veins, stems, roots, flowers, and mixtures thereof. The variety of the tobacco raw material is not particularly limited, and examples include flue-cured tobacco, burley, native tobacco, and oriental tobacco. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The state of the tobacco raw material used may be fresh leaves that have not been dried immediately after harvesting, or may be leaves that have been dried or aged after harvesting, or may be used in combination. In addition, midrib tobacco, expanded tobacco, etc. obtained by processing these tobacco raw materials may also be used. These may be used alone, or multiple varieties and parts may be used in combination.

[0023] As the tobacco powder, a powdered tobacco raw material can be used, for example, tobacco particles. The tobacco particles can be prepared by any method, but it is preferable that the tobacco raw material is subjected to a normal drying process, then coarsely pulverized in a normal coarse pulverizer, and then finely pulverized. The drying process and coarse pulverization can be performed as known in the art, and the average particle size of the coarsely pulverized tobacco particles is preferably in the range of several hundred μm to several mm. The method of fine pulverization is not limited, and either wet pulverization or dry pulverization can be used. Wet pulverization can be performed by adding a liquid dispersion medium to the coarsely pulverized tobacco particles, mixing them, and processing the mixture in a wet fine pulverizer (e.g., MIC-2: manufactured by Nara Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.). The rotation speed of the pulverizer is usually 1100 to 1300 rpm, and the pulverization time is preferably about 5 to 100 minutes. Dry pulverization can be performed by processing the coarsely pulverized tobacco particles in a dry fine pulverizer such as a jet mill.

[0024] The average particle diameter of the tobacco particles is preferably 30 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or less. With such an average particle diameter, clogging of the nozzle is less likely to occur when the tobacco slurry is sprayed, and the tobacco particles are more likely to be uniformly dispersed in the tobacco product, so that flavor can be imparted to the tobacco product without unevenness. The lower limit of the range of the average particle diameter of the tobacco particles is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5 μm or more, and can be 8 μm or more. The average particle diameter of the tobacco particles can be adjusted by the pulverization conditions, and the average particle diameter can be increased, for example, by shortening the pulverization time or by lowering the viscosity of the dispersion medium. In this embodiment, the average particle diameter of the tobacco particles is determined by a laser diffraction scattering method. Specifically, the average particle diameter is measured using a laser diffraction type particle diameter distribution measuring device (for example, Shimadzu Nanoparticle Size Distribution Measuring Device SALD-2100 (trade name)) with a refractive index of 1.60 to 0.101.

[0025] Tobacco shreds can be, for example, aged tobacco leaves shredded to a specified size. The aged tobacco leaves used for tobacco shreds are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include those that have been deboned and separated into lamina and midrib. Tobacco shreds can also include tobacco sheets, which will be described later, shredded to a specified size (hereinafter also referred to as "tobacco sheet shreds"). Other examples of tobacco shreds include a blend of tobacco shreds obtained by shredding aged tobacco leaves and tobacco sheet shreds.

[0026] There are no particular limitations on the size or preparation method of the tobacco shreds. One example is aged tobacco leaves shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less and a length of 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Another example is processed tobacco leaves shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less and a length longer than the tobacco shreds described above, preferably about the same length as the filling material (hereinafter also referred to as "strand-type shreds"). For the strand-type shreds, it is preferable to use a tobacco sheet from the viewpoint of ease of molding.

[0027] The tobacco sheet can be obtained by forming a composition containing, for example, aged tobacco leaves into a sheet shape. The aged tobacco leaves used for the tobacco sheet are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, those that have been deboned and separated into lamina and midrib. In addition, in this specification, the term "sheet" refers to a shape having a pair of approximately parallel main surfaces and side surfaces.

[0028] Tobacco sheets can be formed by known methods such as papermaking, casting, rolling, etc. Details of various tobacco sheets formed by such methods are disclosed in "Encyclopedia of Tobacco, Tobacco Research Center, March 31, 2009."

[0029] An example of a method for forming a tobacco sheet by a papermaking method includes the following steps. (1) A process in which aged tobacco leaves are roughly crushed and mixed and stirred with a solvent such as water to extract water-soluble components from the aged tobacco leaves. (2) A process of separating the aqueous extract containing water-soluble components from a residue. (3) A step of concentrating the aqueous extract by drying under reduced pressure. (4) Pulp is added to the residue and then fiberized in a refiner to obtain a mixture (homogenization process). (5) A process of making paper from the mixture of fiberized residue and pulp. (6) A process of adding a concentrated solution of the water extract to the paper-made sheet and drying it to obtain a tobacco sheet.

[0030] An example of a method for forming a tobacco sheet by the slurry method includes the following steps. (1) A process for mixing water, pulp, and a binder with ground aged tobacco to obtain a mixture (homogenization process). (2) The mixture is then cast into a thin film and dried to form a tobacco sheet.

[0031] An example of a method for forming a tobacco sheet by rolling includes the following steps. (1) A process for mixing water, pulp, and a binder with ground aged tobacco to obtain a mixture (homogenization process). (2) A step of feeding the mixture between a plurality of rolling rollers and rolling the mixture. (3) The rolled product on the rollers is peeled off with a doctor knife, transferred to a net conveyor, and dried in a dryer.

[0032] The tobacco granules can be obtained, for example, by forming a composition containing aged tobacco leaves into a granular shape. The method for forming the tobacco granules is not particularly limited, but can be obtained, for example, by mixing tobacco powder, a binder, and optionally an aerosol base material, a flavoring, a flavor development aid, etc., adding water to the mixture and kneading the mixture, granulating the kneaded mixture (in a long columnar shape) with a wet extrusion granulator, and then regulating the particles into a short columnar or spherical shape.

[0033] In extrusion granulation, it is preferable to extrude the kneaded material at ambient temperature and at a pressure of 2 kN or more. This high-pressure extrusion causes the temperature of the kneaded material at the outlet of the extrusion granulator to rise instantaneously from ambient temperature to, for example, 90°C to 100°C, and 2 to 4% by mass of moisture and volatile components evaporate. Therefore, the amount of water added to prepare the kneaded material can be greater than the desired moisture content in the tobacco granules by the amount of evaporation. The tobacco granules obtained by extrusion granulation may be further dried as necessary to adjust the moisture content.

[0034] The average particle size (D50) of the molded tobacco granules can be 0.2 mm or more and 1.2 mm or less, preferably 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less.

[0035] The content of the tobacco material contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is preferably 3 to 25% by mass, more preferably 8 to 20% by mass, and even more preferably 13 to 16% by mass. When the content is 3% by mass or more, a sufficient flavor can be imparted to the tobacco product to which the tobacco slurry is added. Furthermore, when the content is 25% by mass or less, the amount of bacteria and mold in the tobacco slurry can be reduced. Furthermore, when the tobacco slurry is added to the tobacco product, the tobacco slurry can be added uniformly and easily by spraying or the like.

[0036] (Other additives) The tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment may contain various other additives. Examples of the other additives include food materials such as spearmint leaves, peppermint leaves, tea leaves such as green tea, coffee, cocoa, cardamom, menthol, and sugar for flavor design, thickening polysaccharides such as glucan and pectin used to improve dispersibility by adjusting viscosity, food additives such as various emulsifiers, glues such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and hardeners for improving handling after addition to tobacco. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0037] When other additives are added, the proportion of the other additives added is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the total amount of water, ethanol, and tobacco material in the tobacco slurry is 90 mass% or more of the total amount of the tobacco slurry, and more preferably 95 mass% or more.

[0038] (Method of Preparing Tobacco Slurry) The method for preparing the tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and the tobacco slurry can be prepared by mixing water, ethanol, a tobacco material, and other additives as necessary. Alternatively, a tobacco slurry can be prepared by first dispersing the tobacco material in water to prepare a dispersion liquid, heat-sterilizing the dispersion, and then adding ethanol. By carrying out a heat sterilization treatment in advance in this manner, the growth of bacteria and mold during storage can be further suppressed. The heating temperature and heating time of the heat sterilization treatment are not particularly limited, and heat sterilization can be carried out, for example, at 80 to 180°C for 1 to 360 minutes.

[0039] [Storage method of tobacco slurry] The tobacco slurry storage method according to this embodiment includes a step of preparing a tobacco slurry containing water, ethanol, and tobacco material (hereinafter also referred to as a "tobacco slurry preparation step"), and a step of storing the tobacco slurry (hereinafter also referred to as a "tobacco slurry storage step"). In the tobacco slurry storage method according to this embodiment, since the tobacco slurry contains ethanol, the growth of bacteria and mold over time can be suppressed. Therefore, deterioration in the quality of the tobacco slurry can be prevented even during long-term storage.

[0040] (Tobacco slurry preparation process) In this step, a tobacco slurry containing water, ethanol, and a tobacco material is prepared. The tobacco slurry can be prepared in the same manner as in the tobacco slurry preparation method according to the present embodiment described above. The obtained tobacco slurry can be the tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment.

[0041] (Tobacco slurry storage process) In this step, the tobacco slurry obtained in the tobacco slurry preparation step is stored. The storage period is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, one month or more, and can be, for example, three months or more. The temperature of the tobacco slurry during storage is not particularly limited, but can be -20 to 50°C. The tobacco slurry can be stored, for example, by putting the tobacco slurry in a glass bottle, an aluminum can, or the like, and sealing it.

[0042] [Tobacco products] The tobacco product according to the present embodiment includes the tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment. Since the tobacco product includes the tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment, it can provide a good flavor to the user.

[0043] The tobacco product is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a combustion-type flavor inhaler, a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, etc. The object to which the tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment is added in the tobacco product is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include tobacco immediately after harvest, dried tobacco, flavored tobacco, tobacco shreds, tobacco sheets, and cigarette paper, filters, and tipping paper, which are components constituting the tobacco product.

[0044] The method of adding the tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment to the object is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include methods such as dripping, spraying, coating, and impregnation. The amount of tobacco slurry added to the object depends on the content of tobacco material in the tobacco slurry and the type of object. For example, when the object is tobacco shreds, it is preferable that the amount of tobacco material contained in the tobacco slurry is 0.01 to 5 mass% relative to the mass of the tobacco shreds from the viewpoint of flavor imparting efficiency. Note that when a tobacco material with a strong flavor is used in the tobacco slurry, the ratio can be made smaller, for example, 0.01 to 0.1 mass%.

[0045] Hereinafter, as examples of the tobacco product according to the present embodiment, an embodiment of a combustion type flavor inhaler and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler will be described, but the tobacco product according to the present embodiment is not limited to these.

[0046] An example of the combustion type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the combustion type flavor inhaler 1 includes a tobacco-containing segment 2 and a filter segment 3 provided adjacent to the tobacco-containing segment 2. The tobacco-containing segment 2 includes a tobacco filler 4 and a wrapper 5 wound around the tobacco filler 4. The tobacco slurry according to the present embodiment can be added to the tobacco filler 4, for example. The tobacco-containing segment 2 and the filter segment 3 are connected by a tipping paper member 6 wound on the tobacco-containing segment 2 and the filter segment 3. The tipping paper member 6 may have an air hole in a part of its outer periphery. The number of the air holes may be one or more, and for example, 10 to 40 air holes may be formed. When the number of the air holes is more than one, the air holes may be arranged in a line in a ring shape on the outer periphery of the tipping paper member 6. The multiple air holes may be arranged at approximately regular intervals. By providing the air holes, air is taken into the filter segment 3 through the air holes during inhalation. By diluting the mainstream smoke with outside air from the ventilation hole, it is possible to design a product with a desired tar value. A typical example of such a combustion-type flavor inhaler is a cigarette.

[0047] A user can enjoy the flavor of tobacco by lighting the tip of the tobacco-containing segment 2 and inhaling by holding the mouth end of the filter segment 3 in the mouth. In particular, since the tobacco slurry according to this embodiment is added to the combustion-type flavor inhaler 1, the user can enjoy a good flavor.

[0048] An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 shown in Fig. 2 includes a tobacco-containing segment 8 and a mouthpiece segment 9. The mouthpiece segment 9 includes a cooling segment 10, a center hole segment 11, and a filter segment 12. The tobacco slurry according to this embodiment can be added to the tobacco-containing segment 8, for example. When inhaling, the tobacco-containing segment 8 is heated and each component contained in the tobacco filler is vaporized, and these are transferred to the mouthpiece segment 9 by inhalation. Then, inhalation is performed from the end of the filter segment 12.

[0049] The cooling segment 10 may be composed of a cylindrical member 13. The cylindrical member 13 may be, for example, a paper tube formed by processing cardboard into a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical member 13 and the mouthpiece lining paper 18 described later are provided with perforations 14 penetrating both. Due to the presence of the perforations 14, outside air is introduced into the cooling segment 10 during inhalation. As a result, the vaporized aerosol components generated by heating the tobacco-containing segment 8 come into contact with the outside air, and as their temperature drops, they are liquefied to form an aerosol. The diameter (diameter) of the perforations 14 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 mm. The number of perforations 14 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more than two. For example, a plurality of perforations 14 may be provided on the circumference of the cooling segment 10.

[0050] The center hole segment 11 can be composed of a filling layer 15 having a hollow portion and an inner plug wrapper 16 that covers the filling layer 15. The center hole segment 11 has a function of increasing the strength of the mouthpiece segment 9. The filling layer 15 can be, for example, a rod with an inner diameter of φ5.0 to φ1.0 mm, in which cellulose acetate fibers are densely packed and a plasticizer containing triacetin is added at 6 to 20 mass% relative to the mass of cellulose acetate and hardened. Since the filling layer 15 has a high fiber packing density, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow portion during inhalation and hardly flow inside the filling layer 15. Since the filling layer 15 inside the center hole segment 11 is a fiber packed layer, it feels good to the touch from the outside during use.

[0051] The configuration of the filter segment 12 is not particularly limited, and may be composed of one or more packed layers. The outside of the packed layer may be wrapped with one or more sheets of wrapping paper. The airflow resistance per filter segment can be appropriately changed depending on the amount and material of the packing filled in the filter segment. For example, when the packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the airflow resistance can be increased by increasing the amount of cellulose acetate fiber filled in the filter segment. When the packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the packing density of the cellulose acetate fiber is 0.13 to 0.18 g / cm. 3 The airflow resistance is a value measured using an airflow resistance measuring device (product name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).

[0052] The center hole segment 11 and the filter segment 12 are connected by an outer plug wrapper 17. The outer plug wrapper 17 can be, for example, a cylindrical piece of paper. The tobacco-containing segment 8, the cooling segment 10, and the connected center hole segment 11 and filter segment 12 are connected by a mouthpiece lining paper 18. These connections can be made, for example, by applying a glue such as a vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 18, and then wrapping the three segments therein.

[0053] The axial length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 according to this embodiment, i.e., the horizontal length in FIG. 2, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40 to 90 mm, more preferably 50 to 75 mm, and even more preferably 50 to 60 mm. The circumferential length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 21 to 23 mm. For example, the length of the tobacco-containing segment 8 is 20 mm, the length of the cooling segment 10 is 20 mm, the length of the center hole segment 11 is 8 mm, and the length of the filter segment 12 is 7 mm. These individual segment lengths can be appropriately changed according to the manufacturing suitability, the required quality, and the like. Furthermore, only the filter segment 12 may be disposed downstream of the cooling segment 10 without using the center hole segment 11. Since the tobacco slurry according to this embodiment is added to the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 according to this embodiment, the user can enjoy a good flavor.

[0054] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment may include the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment described above and a heating device for heating the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment may have other configurations in addition to the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment and the heating device.

[0055] An example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system shown in FIG. 3 includes the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 according to the present embodiment and a heating device 19 for heating the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 from the outside. FIG. 3(a) shows the state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 is inserted into the heating device 19, and FIG. 3(b) shows the state after the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 is inserted into the heating device 19 and heated. The heating device 19 shown in FIG. 3 includes a body 20, a heater 21, a metal tube 22, a battery unit 23, and a control unit 24. The body 20 has a cylindrical recess 25, and the heater 21 and the metal tube 22 are arranged on the inner side surface of the recess 25 at a position corresponding to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 inserted into the recess 25. The heater 21 can be a heater using electric resistance, and is heated by being supplied with power from a battery unit 23 in response to an instruction from a control unit 24 that controls temperature. The heat generated by the heater 21 is transferred to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 through a metal tube 22 having high thermal conductivity.

[0056] Since FIG. 3(b) is a schematic illustration, there is a gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 22, but in reality, it is preferable that there is no gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 22 in order to efficiently transfer heat. In addition, the heating device 19 heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 from the outside, but it may also heat from the inside. If it heats from the inside, it is preferable to use a rigid plate-shaped, blade-shaped, or columnar heater without using the metal tube 22. Examples of such heaters include ceramic heaters in which molybdenum, tungsten, or the like is applied to a ceramic base material.

[0057] The heating temperature by the heating device is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400° C. or lower, more preferably 150° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower, and even more preferably 200° C. or higher and 350° C. or lower. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device. EXAMPLES

[0058] Specific examples of the present embodiment are described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The measurement of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry, and the sensory evaluation of the tobacco product to which the tobacco slurry was added were performed by the following methods.

[0059] [Measurement of viable bacteria and mold counts in tobacco slurry] The viable bacteria count in the tobacco slurry was determined using the standard agar plate culture method, and the mold count was determined using the potato dextrose agar plate culture method.

[0060] [Sensory evaluation of tobacco products containing tobacco slurry] The tobacco slurry prepared in each Example and Comparative Example was added in an amount of 7 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of tobacco shreds. The tobacco shreds to which the tobacco slurry was added were loaded into the tobacco-containing segment 8 of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 7 shown in Figure 2, and a sensory evaluation was carried out by a five-member expert panel using the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. It was confirmed that the five-member expert panel had been sufficiently trained in the sensory evaluation of non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers, and that the threshold values ​​were equal and standardized among the panels.

[0061] [Example 1] 600 g of water was added to 100 g of a mixture of flue-cured and burley tobacco powder (75% by mass of flue-cured and 25% by mass of burley tobacco), and the mixture was stirred and mixed with a magnetic stirrer to prepare a dispersion. 28 g of ethanol was added to the dispersion, and the mixture was further stirred and mixed to prepare a tobacco slurry. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 3.8% by mass. The obtained tobacco slurry was placed in a screw tube, capped, and stored at 22°C, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured by the method described above. The results are shown in Table 1 and Figure 4. In addition, a sensory evaluation of the tobacco product to which the obtained tobacco slurry was added was performed by the method described above. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0062] [Example 2] A tobacco slurry was prepared and stored in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of ethanol added was changed to 56 g, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured. In addition, a sensory evaluation was performed on the tobacco product to which the tobacco slurry was added. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 7.4 mass%. The results are shown in Tables 1, 2, and FIG. 4.

[0063] [Example 3] A tobacco slurry was prepared and stored in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of ethanol added was changed to 84 g, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured. In addition, a sensory evaluation was performed on the tobacco product to which the tobacco slurry was added. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 10.7% by mass. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2 and FIG. 4.

[0064] [Example 4] A tobacco slurry was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of ethanol added was changed to 140 g, and a sensory evaluation of the tobacco product to which the tobacco slurry was added was carried out. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 16.7% by mass. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0065] [Comparative Example 1] A tobacco slurry was prepared and stored in the same manner as in Example 1, except that ethanol was not added, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 0% by mass. The results are shown in Table 1 and FIG. 4.

[0066] [Comparative Example 2] A tobacco slurry was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of ethanol added was changed to 210 g, and a sensory evaluation of the tobacco product to which the tobacco slurry was added was carried out. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 23.1% by mass. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0067] [Table 1]

[0068] [Table 2]

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, in the tobacco slurries of Examples 1 to 3, which are the tobacco slurries according to the present embodiment, the proliferation of bacteria and mold was suppressed even when the storage period was extended. On the other hand, in the tobacco slurry of Comparative Example 1, which does not contain ethanol, the number of live bacteria and the number of mold increased significantly with the passage of the storage period. Also, from Table 2, it was found that in the tobacco slurries of Examples 1 to 4, the influence of ethanol on the flavor was within an acceptable range, and the original flavor of tobacco was maintained. On the other hand, it was found that in the tobacco slurry of Comparative Example 2, in which the ethanol content exceeds 20 mass%, the influence of ethanol on the flavor was large, and the original flavor of tobacco was not maintained. In particular, it was found that in the tobacco slurries of Examples 1 and 2, in which the ethanol content is within the range of 3 to 10 mass%, the proliferation of bacteria and mold could be sufficiently suppressed even when the storage period was extended, and the influence of ethanol on the flavor was small, and the original flavor of tobacco could be sufficiently maintained.

[0070] [Example 5] 600 g of water was added to 100 g of a mixture of flue-cured and burley tobacco powder (75% by mass, 25% by mass of flue-cured and burley tobacco), and the mixture was stirred and mixed with a magnetic stirrer to prepare a dispersion. The dispersion was heat-sterilized at 130°C for 1 hour, and then cooled to room temperature. Then, 28 g of ethanol was added to the dispersion, and the mixture was further stirred and mixed to prepare a tobacco slurry. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 3.8% by mass. The obtained tobacco slurry was placed in a screw tube, capped, and stored at 22°C, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured by the method described above. The results are shown in Table 3 and Figure 5.

[0071] [Example 6] A tobacco slurry was prepared and stored in the same manner as in Example 5, except that the amount of ethanol added was changed to 56 g, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 7.4 mass%. The results are shown in Table 3 and Figure 5.

[0072] [Example 7] A tobacco slurry was prepared and stored in the same manner as in Example 5, except that the amount of ethanol added was changed to 84 g, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 10.7% by mass. The results are shown in Table 3 and Figure 5.

[0073] [Comparative Example 3] A tobacco slurry was prepared and stored in the same manner as in Example 5, except that ethanol was not added, and the transition of the viable bacteria count and mold count in the tobacco slurry was measured. The ethanol content in the tobacco slurry was 0% by mass. The results are shown in Table 3 and FIG. 5.

[0074] [Table 3]

[0075] As shown in Fig. 5, in the tobacco slurries of Examples 5 to 7 according to the present embodiment, which were subjected to a heat sterilization treatment in advance, the proliferation of bacteria and mold was suppressed even when the storage period was extended. On the other hand, in the tobacco slurry of Comparative Example 3, which was subjected to a heat sterilization treatment in advance but did not contain ethanol, the viable bacteria count and mold count increased with the lapse of storage period. This is considered to be due to the inclusion of bacteria and mold present in the air during the preparation of the tobacco slurry. In addition, compared to the tobacco slurries of Examples 1 to 3 (Fig. 4), which were not subjected to a heat sterilization treatment in advance, it was found that the viable bacteria count and mold count over time could be further reduced by performing a heat sterilization treatment in advance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Combustion-type flavor inhaler 2, 8 Tobacco-containing segments 3, 12 filter segments 4 Tobacco filling 5. Rapper 6 Tip paper material 7. Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 9 Mouthpiece Segments 10 Cooling Segment 11 Center Hole Segment 13 Cylindrical member 14 Perforation 15 Filled bed 16 Inner plug wrapper 17 Outer plug wrapper 18 Mouthpiece Lining Paper 19 Heating device 20. Body 21 Heater 22 Metal tube 23 Battery unit 24 Control Unit 25 Recess

Claims

1. A tobacco slurry comprising water, ethanol, and a tobacco material, The tobacco slurry has an ethanol content of 1 to 20% by mass contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry.

2. The tobacco slurry according to claim 1, wherein the content of the water contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 55 to 96% by mass.

3. The tobacco slurry according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of the tobacco material contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 3 to 25% by mass.

4. The tobacco slurry according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tobacco material is tobacco powder, tobacco shreds, tobacco sheets, or tobacco granules.

5. The tobacco slurry according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the variety of tobacco raw material contained in the tobacco material is at least one selected from the group consisting of flue-cured, burley, native, and oriental leaves.

6. A tobacco product comprising the tobacco slurry according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. preparing a tobacco slurry comprising water, ethanol, and a tobacco material; storing the tobacco slurry; 13. A method for storing tobacco slurry, comprising:

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the tobacco slurry is stored for one month or more.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the content of the ethanol contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco slurry is 1 to 20% by mass.

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