Tobacco composition, e-liquid, tobacco products

Abstract

To provide a tobacco composition that exhibits excellent sweetness persistence and suppresses off-flavors.SOLUTION: There is provided a tobacco composition comprising neotame, advantame, thaumatin and / or monellin. The tobacco composition is liquid and preferably contains neotame of 0.01 to 10 mass%, advantame of 0.01 to 5 mass%, and thaumatin and / or monellin of 0.01 to 15 mass%.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to tobacco compositions, e-liquids, and tobacco products. [Background technology]

[0002] As an alternative to conventional combustion-based tobacco products (cigarettes), heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, which use electrical heating without combustion, have become popular. Among these, electronic cigarettes, also known as VAPE, which inhale flavored water vapor like a cigarette, use e-liquids whose main ingredients are glycerin and propylene glycol. Recently, attempts have been made to add sweeteners to e-liquids to improve the flavor and taste by adding sweetness.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cigarette containing advantame. Advantame is a high-intensity sweetener that is approximately 20,000 times sweeter than sucrose. By incorporating or adding this advantame into cigarettes, effects such as a reduction in the irritating feeling of smoke, a refreshing aftertaste, and a stronger cigarette flavor are achieved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-15925 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 targets so-called combustion-type tobacco, and does not show that the above-mentioned effects can be obtained for liquids for heated tobacco or electronic cigarettes. Furthermore, according to the studies of the present inventors, it was found that E-liquids containing only advantame can provide a temporary strong sweetness, but the sweetness does not last long and may have an unpleasant taste.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a tobacco composition that has a good long-lasting sweetness and can suppress unpleasant tastes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of intensive research to solve the above problems, the inventors discovered that the above problems can be solved by incorporating neotame, advantame, thaumatin and / or monellin into a tobacco composition, and thus came up with the present invention. That is, the present invention is as follows.

[0008] [1] A tobacco composition comprising neotame, advantame, thaumatin and / or monellin. [2] The tobacco composition according to [1], comprising 0.01 to 10% by mass of the neotame, 0.01 to 5% by mass of the advantame, and 0.01 to 15% by mass of the thaumatin and / or monellin. [3] The tobacco composition according to [1] or [2], wherein the ratio (Y / X) of the total amount (Y) of thaumatin and monellin to the total amount (X) of neotame and advantame is 0.001 to 85. [4] The tobacco composition according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising an organic solvent. [5] The tobacco composition according to [4], wherein the total amount of the neotame, the advantame, the thaumatin and / or monellin in the organic solvent solution obtained by dissolving the neotame, the advantame, the thaumatin and / or monellin in the organic solvent is 0.5 to 25 mass%. [6] The tobacco composition according to [4] or [5], wherein the organic solvent contains propylene glycol, and the content of the propylene glycol in the organic solvent solution is 50% by mass or more. [7] An e-liquid containing the tobacco composition according to any one of [1] to [6]. [8] A tobacco product comprising the tobacco composition according to any one of [1] to [6]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a tobacco composition can be provided that has a good long-lasting sweetness and can suppress unpleasant tastes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described in detail, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0011] [Tobacco composition] The tobacco composition according to this embodiment contains neotame, advantame, thaumatin and / or monellin, which provide a tobacco composition with long-lasting sweetness and reduced unpleasant taste.

[0012] Neotame is a derivative of aspartame and an artificial sweetener with a peptide backbone. Its structure is that of aspartame, with a 3,3-dimethylbutyl group introduced into the amino group of the aspartic acid residue. Its IUPAC name is (3S)-3-(3,3-dimethylbutylamino)-4-[[(2S)-1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-4-oxobutanoic acid.

[0013] Advantame is also a derivative of aspartame and is an artificial sweetener with a peptide backbone. Its structure is such that a 3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propyl group has been introduced into the amino group of the aspartic acid residue of aspartame. Its IUPAC name is (3S)-3-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propylamino]-4-[[(2S)-1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-4-oxobutanoic acid.

[0014] Thaumatin, discovered in plants native to tropical rainforests, is a single-chain protein consisting of 207 amino acid residues. It is a low-calorie sweetener and also has a flavor-improving effect. The amino acid sequence of thaumatin is disclosed, for example, in Ramanuja B. Iyengar et al., European Journal of Biochemistry, 96 (1), 193-204 (1979).

[0015] Monellin is a protein found in plants native to tropical rainforests, and has two non-covalently bonded polypeptide chains, chain A consisting of 44 amino acid residues and chain B consisting of 50 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of monellin is disclosed, for example, in Masanori Kohmura et al., Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, 54 (9), 2219-2224 (1990).

[0016] The tobacco composition according to this embodiment may be in liquid form or solid form such as powder, but considering the convenience of making it into an e-liquid or using it as a raw material for tobacco, it is preferably in liquid form.

[0017] The tobacco composition preferably contains 0.01 to 10% by mass of neotame, 0.01 to 5% by mass of advantame, and 0.01 to 15% by mass of thaumatin and / or monellin. These contents can enhance the long-lasting sweetness or more effectively suppress unpleasant flavors. Furthermore, different sweetness sensations and sensory regions in the oral cavity can be achieved by varying the ratio of each.

[0018] The tobacco composition preferably contains neotame at 0.05 to 1.5% by mass, and more preferably 0.1 to 1% by mass. The tobacco composition preferably contains advantame at 0.01 to 1% by mass, and more preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by mass. The tobacco composition preferably contains thaumatin and / or monellin at 0.5 to 5% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

[0019] The ratio (Y / X) of the total amount (Y) of thaumatin and monellin to the total amount (X) of neotame and advantame is preferably 0.001 to 85, more preferably 0.01 to 30, even more preferably 0.02 to 15, and even more preferably 0.04 to 10. When the ratio (Y / X) is within the above range, the duration of the good sweetness can be further increased or the unpleasant taste can be more effectively suppressed. Furthermore, different sweetness sensations and sensory regions in the oral cavity can be provided depending on the respective ratios.

[0020] The tobacco composition according to this embodiment preferably further contains an organic solvent, which allows neotame, advantame, thaumatin, and / or monellin to be stably contained.

[0021] The total amount of neotame, advantame, thaumatin, and / or monellin in an organic solvent solution obtained by dissolving neotame, advantame, thaumatin, and / or monellin in an organic solvent is preferably 0.5 to 25% by mass, more preferably 1 to 17% by mass, and even more preferably 1.1 to 5% by mass. By including these in an amount of 0.5 to 25% by mass, it is possible to further increase the duration of a good sweetness or more effectively suppress an unpleasant taste. Furthermore, different sweetness sensations and sensory regions in the oral cavity can be provided depending on the respective ratios.

[0022] Here, the organic solvent preferably contains propylene glycol, and the content of propylene glycol in the organic solvent solution is preferably 50% by mass or more, which improves fluidity and makes it easier to impart sweetness.

[0023] As the organic solvent other than propylene glycol, various organic solvents can be used as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention. From the viewpoint of good compatibility with propylene glycol, glycerin (GL), particularly vegetable glycerin (VG), is preferred.

[0024] The tobacco composition according to this embodiment can be produced by dissolving a predetermined amount of neotame, advantame, thaumatin, and / or monellin in an organic solvent. In the case of a solid form such as a powder, the composition can be produced by dissolving the neotame, advantame, thaumatin, and / or monellin, drying the resulting solid, and then pulverizing and classifying the resulting solid as necessary.

[0025] The tobacco composition according to this embodiment may contain other ingredients such as nicotine, fragrances, flavorings, taste receptor activity enhancers, taste receptor activity inhibitors, sensory receptor activity enhancers, sensory receptor activity inhibitors, colorants, humectants, and preservatives.

[0026] [E-liquid] The e-liquid according to this embodiment contains the tobacco composition of the present invention. The e-liquid is a liquid composition for use in a liquid-heating flavor inhaler (sometimes called an "electronic cigarette").

[0027] [Tobacco products] The tobacco product according to this embodiment includes the tobacco composition of the present invention. Examples of the tobacco product include combustion-type flavor inhalation products, heat-type flavor inhalation products, snus, etc.

[0028] Combustion-type flavor inhalation articles utilize combustion for smoking, and examples thereof include paper tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, etc. For example, the combustion-type flavor inhalation article can be produced by impregnating tobacco leaves, shredded tobacco, tobacco sheets, etc. used in the combustion-type flavor inhalation article with a liquid tobacco composition. Alternatively, the combustion-type flavor inhalation article may be produced by filling a solid tobacco composition together with tobacco leaves, shredded tobacco, tobacco sheets, etc. when producing the combustion-type flavor inhalation article.

[0029] Heat-not-burn flavor inhalation articles use tobacco leaves, but heat them rather than burn them, and inhale the resulting vapor (aerosol). Heat-not-burn flavor inhalation articles include, for example, a tobacco-containing segment, a cylindrical cooling segment with perforations on the periphery, and a filter segment. They can be manufactured by impregnating tobacco leaves, shredded tobacco, tobacco sheets, etc., used in non-combustion heat-smoking articles with a liquid tobacco composition. Non-combustion heat-smoking articles may also be manufactured by filling a solid tobacco composition with tobacco leaves, shredded tobacco, tobacco sheets, etc., when manufacturing the non-combustion heat-smoking articles.

[0030] Snus, also known as "snuff," is a tobacco product made by placing ground tobacco leaves in a small pouch and placing it between the lips and gums. It is also sometimes called nicotine pouch or white snus, and there are also forms of snus that do not contain tobacco leaves at all. These generally consist of a carrier, such as cellulose fiber, resin, or inorganic salt, that holds nicotine extracted or isolated from tobacco leaves and is enclosed in a small pouch instead of tobacco leaves. Snus is becoming recognized as a new form of snus. Since snus is not heated or burned, it does not produce smoke and is therefore also called "smokeless tobacco." It can be produced by impregnating tobacco leaves or the carrier of a nicotine pouch with a liquid tobacco composition. [Example]

[0031] The present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0032] Example 1 Propylene glycol (reagent) was used as the organic solvent, and neotame, advantame, and thaumatin were mixed in the organic solvent solution at the contents shown in Table 1 to prepare tobacco compositions.

[0033] (Examples 2 to 14, Comparative Example 1) Propylene glycol (reagent) was used as the organic solvent, and neotame, advantame, thaumatin, and monellin were mixed in the organic solvent solution at the contents shown in Table 1 to prepare tobacco compositions.

[0034] Example 15 A tobacco composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that an organic solvent in which propylene glycol and glycerin (reagent) were mixed in a mass ratio of 2:3 was used instead of propylene glycol (reagent).

[0035] Example 16 A tobacco composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that an organic solvent in which propylene glycol and glycerin (reagent) were mixed in a mass ratio of 1:1 was used instead of propylene glycol (reagent).

[0036] (Evaluation: sweetness, lingering sweetness, unpleasant taste) The prepared tobacco compositions were evaluated for sweetness, lingering sweetness, and unpleasant taste as described below. The results are shown in the table below.

[0037] (1) Sweetness The sweetness level was rated as A if very high, B if high, C if normal, and D if low. High sweetness is preferable.

[0038] (2) Residual sweetness Regarding the lingering sweetness, A was given for good persistence and long-lasting, B for average persistence, and C for poor persistence and short-lasting sweetness.

[0039] (3) Off-flavor Regarding the sense of impurities, A was given if there was almost no impurity, B if there was only a slight impurity, and C if there was a lot of impurity.

[0040] [Table 1]

Claims

1. A tobacco composition comprising neotame, advantame, thaumatin and / or monellin.

2. 2. The tobacco composition according to claim 1, comprising 0.01 to 10% by mass of neotame, 0.01 to 5% by mass of advantame, and 0.01 to 15% by mass of thaumatin and / or monellin.

3. 2. The tobacco composition according to claim 1, wherein the ratio (Y / X) of the total amount (Y) of thaumatin and monellin to the total amount (X) of neotame and advantame is 0.001 to 85.

4. The tobacco composition according to claim 1 , further comprising an organic solvent.

5. The tobacco composition according to claim 4, wherein the total amount of the neotame, the advantame, the thaumatin and / or monellin in the organic solvent solution obtained by dissolving the neotame, the advantame, the thaumatin and / or monellin in the organic solvent is 0.5 to 25% by mass.

6. The tobacco composition according to claim 5 , wherein the organic solvent contains propylene glycol, and the content of the propylene glycol in the organic solvent solution is 50% by mass or more.

7. An e-liquid comprising the tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A tobacco product comprising the tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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