Method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components and method for producing regenerated tobacco material

Abstract

Provided is a method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components, the method including: heating a tobacco material to vaporize tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material; recovering the tobacco flavor components; and causing the tobacco flavor components to react with base components to obtain stabilized tobacco flavor components.

Description

Method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components and method for producing reconstituted tobacco material

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components and a method for producing reconstituted tobacco material.

[0002] In recent years, non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers (hereinafter simply referred to as heating type flavor inhalers) have been developed to replace combustion type flavor inhalers for cigarettes and the like, which provide users with tobacco flavor by heating a tobacco flavor source without burning it.

[0003] In heated flavor inhalers, a tobacco molded body obtained by molding a tobacco material together with an aerosol source is generally used as the tobacco flavor source. Alternatively, a tobacco material is heated to generate a gas containing tobacco flavor components, and the resulting gas is dissolved in a liquid to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid, which is then used as the tobacco flavor source for heated flavor inhalers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] International Publication No. 2017 / 144705

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can stably preserve tobacco flavor components derived from tobacco materials.

[0006] According to one aspect, there is provided a method for recovering a stabilized tobacco flavor component, the method comprising: heating a tobacco material to vaporize a tobacco flavor component from the tobacco material; recovering the tobacco flavor component; and reacting the tobacco flavor component with a base component to obtain a stabilized tobacco flavor component.

[0007] In another aspect, there is provided a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler containing the stabilized tobacco flavor component obtained by the above-mentioned method.

[0008] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method for producing a reconstituted tobacco material, comprising: obtaining the stabilized tobacco flavor component according to the method described above; and mixing the stabilized tobacco flavor component with the heated tobacco material to obtain a reconstituted tobacco material.

[0009] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a reconstituted tobacco material obtainable by the above-described method.

[0010] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler containing reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the above-described method.

[0011] According to the present invention, a technique can be provided that can stably preserve tobacco flavor components derived from tobacco materials.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for producing regenerated tobacco material. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reaction system. FIG. 3A is a schematic front view showing an example of an aerosol generating device. FIG. 3B is a schematic top view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an example of a flavor-generating article. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 3B, taken along line III-III. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the amount of acetic acid in a tobacco flavor liquid. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the amount of organic acids in a tobacco flavor liquid. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the amount of acetic acid in a tobacco flavor liquid. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the amount of organic acids in a tobacco flavor liquid. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the amount of acetic acid in a tobacco flavor liquid. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the amount of organic acids in a tobacco flavor liquid.

[0013] The present invention will be described in detail below. However, the following description is for the purpose of explaining the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The embodiments described below are more specific embodiments of any of the above aspects. The following items can be incorporated into each of the above aspects alone or in combination.

[0014] 1. Method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components and method for producing reconstituted tobacco material As described in the Background Art section, it is known to heat a tobacco material to generate a gas containing tobacco flavor components, and then dissolve the resulting gas in a liquid to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid. In addition, in the art, it is common to heat a tobacco material in an extraction solvent to extract the tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material in order to produce a reconstituted tobacco material. In either case, the intention is to separate the tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material and efficiently release them using a heated flavor inhaler.

[0015] However, the inventors of the present invention have noticed a problem in that tobacco flavor components separated from tobacco materials tend to volatilize easily during subsequent processing steps and storage. They discovered that by heating a tobacco material to generate a gas containing the tobacco flavor components and then reacting the resulting gas with a base component in water, the organic acids serving as tobacco flavor components become less likely to volatilize and can be stably maintained, leading to the completion of the present invention.

[0016] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a "method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components." That is, the method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components includes: heating a tobacco material to vaporize tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material; recovering the tobacco flavor components; and reacting the tobacco flavor components with a base component to obtain stabilized tobacco flavor components. In another aspect, this method can also be described as a "method for stabilizing tobacco flavor components."

[0017] The "stabilized tobacco flavor component" may be an ionized product of the tobacco flavor component, or a salt obtained by a chemical reaction between the tobacco flavor component and a base component. When the tobacco flavor component is an organic acid, the "stabilized tobacco flavor component" may be an organic acid ion, or a salt obtained by a chemical reaction between the organic acid and a base component.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the recovery can be carried out by passing a gas containing the tobacco flavor components through an inert liquid, and recovering the tobacco flavor components in the liquid.

[0019] In a more preferred embodiment, the recovery and the reaction can be carried out simultaneously by passing a gas containing the tobacco flavor component through an inert liquid to which the base component has been added.

[0020] In a more preferred embodiment, the recovery and reaction can be carried out simultaneously by bubbling a gas containing the tobacco flavor components into an inert liquid to which the base component has been added. That is, the "method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components" comprises heating a tobacco material to vaporize the tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material, and bubbling the gas containing the tobacco flavor components into an inert liquid to which a base component has been added, to obtain stabilized tobacco flavor components in the liquid. This method may further comprise a step of drying and concentrating the "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" obtained in the bubbling step.

[0021] As used herein, the term "inert liquid" refers to a liquid that is inert (i.e., does not chemically react) with gases containing tobacco flavor components and base components. An example of an inert liquid is water. Also, as used herein, the term "base component" refers to a component that can increase the pH of the inert liquid.

[0022] Furthermore, the "stabilized tobacco flavor component" obtained by the above-mentioned method can be used to produce a reconstituted tobacco material. That is, the method for producing a reconstituted tobacco material includes: obtaining the stabilized tobacco flavor component according to the above-mentioned "method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor component"; and mixing the stabilized tobacco flavor component with the tobacco material after heating to obtain a reconstituted tobacco material.

[0023] An example of a method for producing a reconstituted tobacco material will be described below in the order of a heating step (S1), a bubbling step (S2) in a bubbling liquid containing a base component, a drying step (S3), and a mixing step (S4) with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a flow chart of an example of a method for producing a reconstituted tobacco material.

[0024] Note that the following explanation explains the "method for producing regenerated tobacco material," but since the invention of the "method for producing regenerated tobacco material" includes the invention of the "method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components," the following explanation also includes the explanation of the "method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components."

[0025] [Heating Step (S1)] In the heating step (S1), the tobacco material is heated to vaporize tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material. The heating step (S1) produces a "gas containing tobacco flavor components" (see FIG. 1). The tobacco flavor components include organic acids.

[0026] The "tobacco material" may be tobacco shreds that are ready to be incorporated into tobacco products, such as combustion-type or heat-type flavor inhalers. "Tobacco shreds that are ready to be incorporated into tobacco products" refers to tobacco shreds that have undergone various processing steps, such as a drying process on a farm, a long-term aging process of one to several years at a raw material factory, and subsequent blending and cutting at a manufacturing factory, and are ready to be incorporated into tobacco products.

[0027] Tobacco shreds are cut tobacco leaves. Tobacco shreds may be shredded leaves, shredded backbone, shredded reconstituted tobacco (i.e., tobacco material obtained by processing leaf waste, shredded waste, backbone waste, fine powder, etc. generated during factory operations into a reusable form), or a mixture thereof. Tobacco shreds may be pulverized, and the resulting pulverized material may be used for the heating step (S1). Using pulverized tobacco shreds as the tobacco material can increase the efficiency of recovery of tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material. This can increase the amount of tobacco flavor components recovered and the amount of tobacco flavor components contained in the final reconstituted tobacco material.

[0028] The shredded tobacco may be of any variety, such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, etc. The shredded tobacco may be of a single variety or a mixture of different varieties.

[0029] The tobacco material preferably has a pH of 4.5 to 6.0. In this specification, the pH of the tobacco material refers to a value measured by the following measurement method.

[0030] 2.0 g of tobacco material was weighed into a vial, 20 mL of distilled water was added, and the mixture was subjected to extraction by shaking at 200 rpm for 10 minutes. The resulting extract was allowed to stand for 5 minutes, and then the pH of the extract was measured using a pH meter (LAQUA F-72, manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.). The measured pH was taken as the pH of the tobacco material.

[0031] Heating can be carried out at a temperature of, for example, 180 to 250° C., preferably 190 to 225° C. Heating can be carried out for, for example, 1 to 120 minutes, preferably 10 to 40 minutes. By the heating step, a gas containing tobacco flavor components can be obtained.

[0032] [Bubbling step (S2) into bubbling liquid containing a base component] In the bubbling step (S2), the "gas containing tobacco flavor components" obtained in the heating step (S1) is bubbled into a bubbling liquid containing a base component (see FIG. 1). This allows the tobacco flavor components to be recovered and for the tobacco flavor components to react with the base component simultaneously. As a result, "stabilized tobacco flavor components" are obtained in the bubbling liquid. In other words, a "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" is obtained.

[0033] It is believed that most of the "stabilized tobacco flavor components" obtained in this process are ionized tobacco flavor components. Most of the tobacco flavor components are ionized into ions in the bubbling liquid, and the base components are also ionized into ions. It is believed that the presence of the ions of the base components as counter ions allows the tobacco flavor components to exist stably in the bubbling liquid in the ionic state and to be in a state that is difficult to volatilize.

[0034] In this example, water to which a base component has been added is used as the bubbling liquid, but the base component may be added to an inert liquid other than water. Any liquid may be used as the inert liquid as long as it is inert (i.e., does not chemically react) to the gas containing the tobacco flavor component and the base component.

[0035] The base component contained in the bubbling liquid is not limited as long as it is a component that can increase the pH of water. The base component may be a weak base. That is, the base component may be, for example, a substance containing a salt that forms an ion of a weak acid with a pKa of 3 to 5 upon ionization. The base component may be a salt that forms an ion of a weak acid with a pKa of 3 to 5 upon ionization. A weak base has the advantage of being highly safe when performing the bubbling step (S2).

[0036] Alternatively, the base component may be a strong base. That is, the base component may be, for example, a substance that forms hydroxide ions upon ionization. Strong bases have the advantage that they are highly effective in stabilizing tobacco flavor components, even when used in small amounts.

[0037] The base component is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium formate, and potassium formate.

[0038] The base component can be added to the inert liquid (water in this example) so that the pH of the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) obtained after the bubbling step (S2) is 6.5 to 10.

[0039] In the case of a weak base, the base component can be added to the inert liquid (water in this example) in an amount of, for example, 15 to 100 mg per 1 g of the raw tobacco material. In the case of a strong base, the base component can be added to the inert liquid (water in this example) in an amount of, for example, 10 to 60 mg per 1 g of the raw tobacco material.

[0040] When 30 g of raw tobacco material is used, the bubbling liquid can be used in an amount of, for example, 1 to 50 mL.

[0041] In this example, the recovery of tobacco flavor components and the reaction of the tobacco flavor components with the base component are carried out simultaneously, but it is also possible to bubble the "gas containing tobacco flavor components" obtained by the heating step (S1) into water, and then add the base component to the water to cause the reaction of the tobacco flavor components with the base component.

[0042] (Specific Example) The heating step (S1) and bubbling step (S2) described above can be performed, for example, using a reaction system 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the reaction system 20 includes a heating device 20A, a bubbling device 20B, a gas flow path 25 connecting these two devices, and a pump 26 for transporting the gas in the gas flow path 25.

[0043] The heating device 20A includes a heating container 21 for containing tobacco material 23, a heater 22 surrounding the heating container 21, and a thermocouple 24 for measuring the temperature of the internal space of the heating container 21.

[0044] The bubbling device 20B includes a cooling vessel 27 for containing a bubbling liquid 28 and a spiral cooling pipe 29 connected to the gas flow path 25.

[0045] The operation of the reaction system 20 will be described below. First, the tobacco material 23 is placed in the heating container 21, and the heating container 21 is sealed. The tobacco material 23 in the heating container 21 is heated by the heater 22. When the tobacco material 23 is heated, gas containing tobacco flavor components is generated from the tobacco material 23. This gas is discharged from a gas discharge hole provided on the top surface of the heating container 21 and sent to the gas flow path 25. The temperature of the internal space of the heating container 21 is measured by a thermocouple 24 and controlled to a predetermined temperature.

[0046] The gas containing tobacco flavor components is sent to a cooling pipe 29 through a gas flow path 25 by the action of a pump 26. The cooling pipe 29 is a spiral pipe made of stainless steel. The gas is cooled while passing through the cooling pipe 29. The cooled gas is then bubbled into a bubbling liquid 28 in a cooling container 27. As a result, the gas containing tobacco flavor components is dissolved in the bubbling liquid 28 and collected.

[0047] When the bubbling liquid 28 contains a base component, the tobacco flavor components react with the base component, and stabilized tobacco flavor components are obtained in the bubbling liquid 28. As described above, most of the "stabilized tobacco flavor components" are thought to be ionized products of the tobacco flavor components. That is, the tobacco flavor components are thought to exist stably in the bubbling liquid 28 in the form of ions and are unlikely to volatilize.

[0048] [Drying Step (S3)] In the drying step (S3), the "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" obtained in the bubbling step (S2) is dried and concentrated (see FIG. 1), thereby obtaining a "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components."

[0049] For example, drying can be performed by heating the "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" obtained in the bubbling step (S2) at a temperature of 70 to 120° C. for 10 to 120 minutes. A concentrated liquid may be obtained directly in the drying step (S3), or a dried solid may be obtained in the drying step (S3) and then dissolved in a small amount of water to obtain a concentrated liquid.

[0050] When water is removed in the drying step (S3) to obtain a dried solid, the tobacco flavor components are thought to undergo a chemical reaction with the base component to form a salt. The salt obtained by the chemical reaction between the tobacco flavor components and the base component is thought to be a stable substance and unlikely to volatilize. When the dried solid is dissolved in a small amount of water, the tobacco flavor components are thought to become ionized tobacco flavor components again. The ionized tobacco flavor components exist in a stable ionic state in water and are thought to be unlikely to volatilize, since the ions of the base component exist as counter ions.

[0051] [Mixing Step (S4)] In the mixing step (S4), the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in the drying step (S3) is mixed with the "heated tobacco material" remaining after the heating step (S1) (see FIG. 1 ), thereby obtaining a reconstituted tobacco material.

[0052] [Effects] According to the above method, tobacco flavor components are vaporized from tobacco material, recovered in a bubbling liquid, and reacted with a base component. The tobacco flavor components (e.g., organic acids) are ionized in the bubbling liquid, and the presence of counterions of the base components makes them less likely to volatilize. Furthermore, when this reaction mixture is dried, the tobacco flavor components (e.g., organic acids) react with the base components to form salts, making them less likely to volatilize. As a result, the tobacco flavor components are less likely to volatilize and can be stably maintained, whether they are dissolved in the bubbling liquid or in the dried, solidified state.

[0053] According to the above method, a "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" is obtained in the bubbling step (S2), a "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" is obtained in the drying step (S3), and a "reconstituted tobacco material" is obtained in the mixing step (S4). These can be incorporated into a heated flavor inhaler. Because these contain stabilized tobacco flavor components (i.e., ionized forms of tobacco flavor components and / or salts obtained by chemical reactions between tobacco flavor components and base components), the tobacco flavor components can be stably maintained without volatilization during subsequent processing steps or storage. Therefore, when these are incorporated into a heated flavor inhaler and a user inhales from the heated flavor inhaler, a greater amount of tobacco flavor components can be released.

[0054] <2. Tobacco Flavor Liquid> The "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" obtained in the bubbling step (S2) and the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in the drying step (S3) can be incorporated into a heated flavor inhaler as tobacco flavor liquids.

[0055] For example, the "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" and the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" can be incorporated as a liquid into a liquid atomization type heated flavor inhaler and atomized at the time of use, and can be used as a tobacco flavor source for the heated flavor inhaler.

[0056] Alternatively, the "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" and the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" can be added to tobacco material (e.g., deboned leaves or tobacco leaves), the resulting mixture can be dried, and the resulting dried product can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a heated flavor inhaler.

[0057] Therefore, according to another aspect, there is provided a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler containing a "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" or a "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components."

[0058] 3. Regenerated Tobacco Material The "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" obtained in the bubbling step (S2) is mixed with the "heated tobacco material" remaining after the above-mentioned heating step (S1), and the resulting mixture (i.e., regenerated tobacco material) can be used as a tobacco flavor source for a heated flavor inhaler. Similarly, the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in the drying step (S3) is mixed with the "heated tobacco material" remaining after the above-mentioned heating step (S1), and the resulting mixture (i.e., regenerated tobacco material) can be used as a tobacco flavor source for a heated flavor inhaler.

[0059] Alternatively, a tobacco molded product such as a tobacco sheet or tobacco granules can be produced from the regenerated tobacco material, and the tobacco molded product can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a heated flavor inhaler. Tobacco molded products are also included in the regenerated tobacco material. In the examples described below, an example of preparing a tobacco sheet as a regenerated tobacco material is shown.

[0060] The reconstituted tobacco material may contain additives such as binders, pH adjusters, preservatives, and antioxidants, as needed.

[0061] Therefore, according to another aspect, there is provided a method for producing a regenerated tobacco material, which comprises mixing a "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components" or a "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" with the "heated tobacco material" remaining after the above-mentioned heating step (S1) to obtain a regenerated tobacco material.

[0062] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the above-described method. According to yet another aspect, there is provided a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising the reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the above-described method.

[0063] The reconstituted tobacco material can have a pH of, for example, 6 to 9, preferably 6 to 8. When the reconstituted tobacco material is within this pH range, it is less likely to develop the unpleasant odor that tobacco materials with a basic pH tend to emit. The pH of the reconstituted tobacco material refers to a value measured using the same method as the "method for measuring the pH of tobacco material" described above. That is, the pH of the reconstituted tobacco material refers to a value measured using the following measurement method.

[0064] 2.0 g of reconstituted tobacco material was weighed into a vial, 20 mL of distilled water was added, and the mixture was shaken at 200 rpm for 10 minutes to perform the extraction process. The resulting extract was allowed to stand for 5 minutes, and then the pH of the extract was measured using a pH meter (LAQUA F-72, manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.). The measured pH was used as the pH of the reconstituted tobacco material.

[0065] 4. Non-Combustion Heating Type Flavor Inhaler A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler will be described below. A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is a flavor inhaler that provides a tobacco flavor to a user by heating a tobacco flavor source without burning it. Hereinafter, it will also be referred to simply as a "heating type flavor inhaler." The heating type flavor inhaler of the present invention has the same configuration as a normal heating type flavor inhaler, except that the tobacco flavor source is replaced with any of the above-mentioned "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components," the above-mentioned "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components," or the above-mentioned "recycled tobacco material."

[0066] An example of a heated flavor inhaler will be described below with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 4, and 5. In this example, the heated flavor inhaler is composed of an aerosol generation device 100 and a tobacco stick 200. Figure 3A is a schematic front view of an example of the aerosol generation device. Figure 3B is a schematic top view of the aerosol generation device shown in Figure 3A. Figure 3C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol generation device shown in Figure 3A. Figure 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an example of a tobacco stick. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the aerosol generation device shown in Figure 3B.

[0067] For ease of explanation, the drawings may include an X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system. In this coordinate system, the Z axis faces vertically upward, the X-Y plane is positioned so as to cut the aerosol generation device 100 horizontally, and the Y axis is positioned so as to extend from the front to the back of the aerosol generation device 100. The Z axis can also be referred to as the insertion direction of the tobacco stick contained in the chamber 150 of the atomization unit 130 described below, or the axial direction of the chamber 150. The X axis is a direction perpendicular to the Y axis and the Z axis, and the X axis and the Y axis can also be referred to as the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the chamber 150, or the radial direction of the chamber 150.

[0068] The aerosol generating device 100 is configured to generate an aerosol containing a tobacco flavor by heating a tobacco stick having a flavor source containing any of the above-mentioned "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components," the above-mentioned "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components," and the above-mentioned "recycled tobacco material."

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C , the aerosol generating device 100 includes an outer housing 101 (corresponding to an example of a housing), a slide cover 102, and a switch unit 103. The outer housing 101 constitutes the outermost housing of the aerosol generating device 100 and is sized to fit in a user's hand. When using the flavor inhaler, a user can hold the aerosol generating device 100 in their hand and inhale the aerosol. The outer housing 101 may be formed by assembling multiple components. The outer housing 101 may be made of resin, for example, and in particular, may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum.

[0070] The outer housing 101 has an opening (not shown) for receiving a tobacco stick, and the sliding cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 to close this opening. Specifically, the sliding cover 102 is configured to be movable along the outer surface of the outer housing 101 between a closed position (position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B ) in which the opening of the outer housing 101 is closed, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 5 ) in which the opening is open. For example, a user can manually operate the sliding cover 102 to move the sliding cover 102 between the closed position and the open position. This allows or restricts access of tobacco sticks to the inside of the aerosol generation device 100.

[0071] The switch unit 103 is used to switch the operation of the aerosol generation device 100 on and off. For example, a user can operate the switch unit 103 while a tobacco stick is inserted into the aerosol generation device 100, thereby supplying power from a power source (see reference numeral 121 in FIG. 5 ) to a heater (see reference numeral 140 in FIG. 5 ), thereby heating the tobacco stick without burning it. The switch unit 103 may be a switch provided outside the outer housing 101, or may be a switch located inside the outer housing 101. When the switch is located inside the outer housing 101, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch unit 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101. In this example, an example in which the switch of the switch unit 103 is located inside the outer housing 101 will be described.

[0072] The aerosol generating device 100 may further include a terminal (not shown). The terminal may be an interface for connecting the aerosol generating device 100 to, for example, an external power source. If the power source of the aerosol generating device 100 is a rechargeable battery, connecting the external power source to the terminal allows the external power source to pass current through the power source and charge the power source. In addition, connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal may allow data related to the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 to be transmitted to an external device.

[0073] Next, the tobacco stick used in the aerosol generating device 100 will be described. Fig. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an example of a tobacco stick 200. In this example, a flavor inhaler is configured by the aerosol generating device 100 and the tobacco stick 200. As shown in Fig. 4, the tobacco stick 200 has a smokable article 201, a tubular member 204, a hollow filter portion 206, and a filter portion 205.

[0074] The smokable article 201 is wrapped in a first cigarette paper 202. The tubular member 204, hollow filter portion 206, and filter portion 205 are wrapped in a second cigarette paper 203 that is different from the first cigarette paper 202. The second cigarette paper 203 also wraps a portion of the first cigarette paper 202 that wraps the smokable article 201. This connects the tubular member 204, hollow filter portion 206, and filter portion 205 to the smokable article 201. However, the second cigarette paper 203 may be omitted, and the tubular member 204, hollow filter portion 206, and filter portion 205 may be connected to the smokable article 201 using the first cigarette paper 202. A lip release agent 207 is applied to the outer surface of the second cigarette paper 203 near the end on the filter portion 205 side, to make it easier for the user to release their lips from the second cigarette paper 203. The portion of the tobacco stick 200 to which the lip release agent 207 is applied functions as the mouthpiece of the tobacco stick 200 .

[0075] The smokable article 201 contains, as a flavor source, any of the above-mentioned "bubbling liquid containing tobacco flavor components," the above-mentioned "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components," and the above-mentioned "reconstituted tobacco material." As described above, these contain stabilized tobacco flavor components, and therefore, when a user inhales on this heated flavor inhaler, a greater amount of tobacco flavor components can be released.

[0076] The first cigarette paper 202 wrapping the smokable article 201 may be a breathable sheet member. The tubular member 204 may be a paper tube or a hollow filter. In this example, the tobacco stick 200 includes the smokable article 201, the tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205, but the configuration of the tobacco stick 200 is not limited to this. For example, the hollow filter portion 206 may be omitted, and the tubular member 204 and the filter portion 205 may be disposed adjacent to each other.

[0077] Next, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 100 taken along line III-III in FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 5, an inner housing 110 (corresponding to an example of a housing) is provided inside the outer housing 101 of the aerosol generating device 100. The inner housing 110 is made of, for example, a resin, particularly polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum. From the viewpoints of heat resistance and strength, the inner housing 110 is preferably made of PEEK. A power supply unit 120 and an atomization unit 130 are provided in the internal space of the inner housing 110.

[0078] The power supply unit 120 has a power supply 121. The power supply 121 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The power supply 121 is electrically connected to the atomizing unit 130. This allows the power supply 121 to supply power to the atomizing unit 130 so as to appropriately heat the tobacco stick 200.

[0079] 5 , the atomization unit 130 has a metal chamber 150 (corresponding to an example of a cylindrical portion) extending in the insertion direction (Z-axis direction) of the tobacco stick 200, a heater 140 covering a part of the chamber 150, a heat insulating portion 132, and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 134 (corresponding to an example of a guide portion) that abuts against the opening of the chamber 150. The chamber 150 is configured to surround the periphery of the tobacco stick 200. The heater 140 is configured to include a heating portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the chamber 150 and heats the tobacco stick 200 inserted into the chamber 150.

[0080] 5, a bottom member 136 (corresponding to an example of an abutment portion) is provided at the bottom of the chamber 150. The bottom member 136 abuts against the tobacco stick 200 inserted into the chamber 150 in the insertion direction of the tobacco stick 200, and can function as a stopper that positions the tobacco stick 200. Here, the chamber 150 and the bottom member 136 form a storage portion that stores at least a portion of the tobacco stick 200. The bottom member 136 can be formed from, for example, a resin material. The bottom member 136 has an uneven surface on which the tobacco stick 200 abuts, and can define a first air flow path that can supply air to the air intake port of the tobacco stick 200 (i.e., that communicates with the tobacco stick 200 stored in the storage portion). The bottom member 136 is made of, for example, resin, particularly polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that the bottom member 136 is preferably made of a material with low thermal conductivity to prevent heat from being transferred to the heat insulating portion 132, etc.

[0081] The heat insulating section 132 is generally cylindrical overall and is disposed to cover the chamber 150. The heat insulating section 132 may include, for example, an aerogel sheet. The insertion guide member 134 is disposed between the sliding cover 102 in the closed position and the chamber 150. The insertion guide member 134 is made of, for example, resin, and in particular, may be formed from polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers. The insertion guide member 134 may also be formed from metal, glass, ceramic, or the like. From the standpoint of heat resistance, the insertion guide member 134 is preferably made of PEEK. When the slide cover 102 is in the open position, the insertion guide member 134 communicates with the outside of the aerosol generating device 100, and guides the insertion of the tobacco stick 200 into the chamber 150 by inserting the tobacco stick 200 into the insertion guide member 134. By providing the insertion guide member 134, the tobacco stick 200 can be easily inserted into the chamber 150.

[0082] The aerosol generating device 100 further has a first holding part 137 and a second holding part 138 that hold both ends of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating part 132. The first holding part 137 is arranged to hold the ends of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating part 132 on the negative Z-axis side. The second holding part 138 is arranged to hold the ends of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating part 132 on the slide cover 102 side (positive Z-axis side).

[0083] 5. Preferred Embodiments Preferred embodiments are summarized below.

[0084] [A1] A method for recovering a stabilized tobacco flavor component, comprising: heating a tobacco material to vaporize tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material; recovering the tobacco flavor components; and reacting the tobacco flavor components with a base component to obtain a stabilized tobacco flavor component. [A2] The method described in [A1], in which the recovery is carried out by passing a gas containing the tobacco flavor components through an inert liquid to recover the tobacco flavor components in the liquid. [A3] The method described in [A1], in which the recovery and the reaction are carried out simultaneously by passing the gas containing the tobacco flavor components through an inert liquid to which the base component has been added.

[0085] [A4] A method for recovering a stabilized tobacco flavor component, comprising: heating a tobacco material to vaporize tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material; and bubbling a gas containing the tobacco flavor component into an inert liquid to which a base component has been added, thereby obtaining the stabilized tobacco flavor component in the liquid (i.e., obtaining the liquid containing the stabilized tobacco flavor component). [A5] The method according to any one of [A2] to [A4], wherein the inert liquid is water. [A6] The method according to any one of [A2] to [A5], further comprising drying and concentrating the liquid containing the stabilized tobacco flavor component. [A7] The method according to [A6], wherein the drying is performed by heating the liquid containing the stabilized tobacco flavor component at a temperature of 70 to 120°C.

[0086] [B1] A method for producing a regenerated tobacco material, comprising: obtaining the stabilized tobacco flavor component (e.g., the liquid containing the stabilized tobacco flavor component or a concentrate thereof) according to the method described in any one of [A1] to [A7]; and mixing the stabilized tobacco flavor component with the tobacco material after the heating to obtain a regenerated tobacco material. [B2] A method for producing a regenerated tobacco material, comprising: obtaining the stabilized tobacco flavor component in the liquid according to the method described in any one of [A2] to [A5]; and mixing the liquid containing the stabilized tobacco flavor component with the tobacco material after the heating to obtain a regenerated tobacco material. [B3] A method for producing a regenerated tobacco material, comprising: obtaining the stabilized tobacco flavor component in a concentrate of the liquid according to the method described in [A6] or [A7]; and mixing the concentrate containing the stabilized tobacco flavor component with the tobacco material after the heating to obtain a regenerated tobacco material. [B4] The method according to any one of [B1] to [B3], further comprising molding the regenerated tobacco material to produce a tobacco molded product.

[0087] [C1] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7] and [B1] to [B4], wherein the tobacco material is shredded tobacco. [C2] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4] and [C1], wherein the tobacco material has a pH of 4.5 to 6.0. [C3] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4] and [C1] to [C2], wherein the heating is carried out at a temperature of 180 to 250°C, preferably 190 to 225°C. [C4] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4] and [C1] to [C3], wherein the heating is carried out for 1 to 120 minutes, preferably 10 to 40 minutes.

[0088] [C5] The method according to any one of [A2] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C4], wherein the base component is contained in the inert liquid so that the pH of the reaction mixture obtained after the recovery and the reaction is 6.5 to 10. [C6] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C5], wherein the base component is a weak base. [C7] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C6], wherein the base component is a substance containing a salt that forms an ion of a weak acid having a pKa of 3 to 5 upon ionization. [C8] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C7], wherein the base component is a salt that forms an ion of a weak acid having a pKa of 3 to 5 upon ionization.

[0089] [C9] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C5], wherein the base component is a strong base. [C10] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], [C1] to [C5], and [C9], wherein the base component is a substance that forms hydroxide ions upon ionization. [C11] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C10], wherein the base component is at least one selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium formate, and potassium formate.

[0090] [C12] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C11], wherein the stabilized tobacco flavor component is an ionized product of the tobacco flavor component. [C13] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C12], wherein the tobacco flavor component is an organic acid and the stabilized tobacco flavor component is an organic acid ion. [C14] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], and [C1] to [C11], wherein the stabilized tobacco flavor component is a salt obtained by a chemical reaction between the tobacco flavor component and the base component. [C15] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A7], [B1] to [B4], [C1] to [C11] and [C14], wherein the tobacco flavor component is an organic acid, and the stabilized tobacco flavor component is a salt obtained by a chemical reaction between the organic acid and the base component.

[0091] [D1] A stabilized tobacco flavor component (e.g., an inert liquid containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component or a concentrate thereof) obtainable by the method described in any one of [A1] to [A7] and [C1] to [C15]. [D2] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component (e.g., an inert liquid containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component or a concentrate thereof) obtainable by the method described in any one of [A1] to [A7] and [C1] to [C15]. [D3] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising: a flavor source containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component (e.g., an inert liquid containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component or a concentrate thereof) obtainable by the method described in any one of [A1] to [A7] and [C1] to [C15]; and a heater for heating the flavor source.

[0092] [D4] A flavor generating article comprising: a flavor source containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component (for example, an inert liquid containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component or a concentrate thereof) obtained by the method described in any one of [A1] to [A7] and [C1] to [C15]; and a wrapper wrapped around the flavor source. [D5] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising: the flavor generating article described in [D4]; and a heater that heats the flavor source contained in the flavor generating article.

[0093] [E1] A reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the method described in any one of [B1] to [B4] and [C1] to [C15]. [E2] The reconstituted tobacco material described in [E1], which has a pH of 6 to 9, preferably a pH of 6 to 8. [E3] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising a reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the method described in any one of [B1] to [B4] and [C1] to [C15]. [E4] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising: a flavor source comprising a reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the method described in any one of [B1] to [B4] and [C1] to [C15]; and a heater for heating the flavor source.

[0094] [E5] A flavor generating article comprising: a flavor source containing a regenerated tobacco material obtained by the method according to any one of [B1] to [B4] and [C1] to [C15]; and a wrapper wrapped around the flavor source. [E6] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising: the flavor generating article according to [E5]; and a heater that heats the flavor source contained in the flavor generating article.

[0095] [1] Experiment 1 In Experiment 1, flue-cured tobacco material was used as the tobacco material, and sodium hydroxide was used as the base component.

[0096] [1-1] Preparation of Tobacco Flavor Liquid Example 1 30 g of flue-cured tobacco material (pH 4.8, i.e., not alkali-treated) was heated in the heating device 20A of the reaction system 20 shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the tobacco material was placed in a heating container 21 and heated by a heater 22. Heating was carried out at 225°C for 40 minutes. The heating temperature here was measured by a thermocouple 24.

[0097] Components volatilized from the tobacco material were bubbled into a bubbling liquid 28 using the bubbling device 20B of the reaction system 20 shown in Figure 2. The bubbling liquid 28 was prepared by adding 900 mg of sodium hydroxide to 20 mL of water. This allowed for the simultaneous recovery of tobacco flavor components and the reaction of the tobacco flavor components with sodium hydroxide. The bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 9.1.

[0098] The reaction mixture was placed in an electric oven at 100°C and dried. The resulting dried product was then dissolved again in 20 mL of water. This gave a "concentrated solution of tobacco flavor components" as a tobacco flavor liquid.

[0099] Comparative Example 1 In Comparative Example 1, a "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 20 mL of water was used instead of water to which sodium hydroxide had been added as the bubbling liquid 28. In Comparative Example 1, the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 4.4.

[0100] In Comparative Example 2, a reaction mixture was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 20 mL of water was used as the bubbling liquid 28 instead of water containing sodium hydroxide, and the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling was not dried. In Comparative Example 2, the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 4.4.

[0101] [1-2] Analysis Method and Results The amounts of acetic acid contained in the "tobacco flavor component concentrate" obtained in Example 1, the "tobacco flavor component concentrate" obtained in Comparative Example 1, and the "reaction mixture" obtained in Comparative Example 2 were measured using capillary electrophoresis. The measured values ​​were converted into the amount of acetic acid per gram of the raw tobacco material, and the results are shown in Figure 6.

[0102] The results in FIG. 6 show that the evaporation of acetic acid caused by the drying treatment was suppressed when the bubbling liquid contained a base component.

[0103] Furthermore, the amounts of organic acids other than acetic acid were measured using a GC-MS (gas chromatograph mass spectrometer) for the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in Example 1, the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in Comparative Example 1, and the "reaction mixture liquid" obtained in Comparative Example 2.

[0104] The types of organic acids measured are listed below. The symbols 1A to 1I written before each organic acid are used in Figure 7 to indicate each organic acid. 1A: Propanoic acid 1B: 2-methylpropanoic acid 1C: Butanoic acid 1D: 2-propenoic acid 1E: 2-methylbutanoic acid 1F: 2-methyl-2-propenoic acid 1G: 3-methylpentanoic acid 1H: 4-methyl-2-pentenoic acid 1I: Benzeneacetic acid

[0105] The measurement results are shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7, the amounts of organic acid in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are shown as relative values ​​when the amount of organic acid in Comparative Example 2 is set to 1. Specifically, the amount of organic acid was calculated as an area ratio by dividing the area values ​​of the chromatograms of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 by the area value of the chromatogram of Comparative Example 2. Although the results of Comparative Example 2 are not shown in Figure 7, the area ratio of Comparative Example 2 is 1 for all organic acids.

[0106] The results in FIG. 7 show that for many organic acids other than acetic acid, the volatilization of the organic acid caused by the drying treatment was suppressed when the bubbling liquid contained a base component.

[0107] The results in Figures 6 and 7 show that when tobacco material is heated according to the method of the present invention to generate gas containing tobacco flavor components, and the resulting gas is reacted with a base component in water, the tobacco flavor components are less likely to volatilize and can be stably maintained even after drying treatment (heat treatment).

[0108] [2] Experiment 2 In Experiment 2, Burley tobacco material was used as the tobacco material, and sodium hydroxide was used as the base component.

[0109] [2-1] Preparation of Tobacco Flavor Liquid Example 2 In Example 2, a "concentrated solution of tobacco flavor components" was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a burley tobacco material (pH 5.5, i.e., not alkali-treated) was used instead of a flue-cured tobacco material. In Example 2, the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 9.8.

[0110] Comparative Example 3 In Comparative Example 3, a "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that 20 mL of water was used as the bubbling liquid 28 instead of water to which sodium hydroxide had been added. In Comparative Example 3, the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 7.1.

[0111] In Comparative Example 4, a reaction mixture was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that 20 mL of water was used as the bubbling liquid 28 instead of water containing sodium hydroxide, and the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling was not dried. In Comparative Example 2, the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 7.1.

[0112] [2-2] Analysis Method and Results The amounts of acetic acid contained in the "tobacco flavor component concentrate" obtained in Example 2, the "tobacco flavor component concentrate" obtained in Comparative Example 3, and the "reaction mixture" obtained in Comparative Example 4 were measured using capillary electrophoresis. The measured values ​​were converted into the amount of acetic acid per gram of the raw tobacco material, and the results are shown in Figure 8.

[0113] The results in FIG. 8 show that the evaporation of acetic acid caused by the drying treatment was suppressed when the bubbling liquid contained a base component.

[0114] Furthermore, the amounts of organic acids other than acetic acid were measured using a GC-MS (gas chromatograph mass spectrometer) for the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in Example 2, the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in Comparative Example 3, and the "reaction mixture liquid" obtained in Comparative Example 4.

[0115] The types of organic acids measured are listed below. The symbols 2A to 2I written before each organic acid are used in Figure 9 to indicate each organic acid. 2A: Propanoic acid 2B: 2-methylpropanoic acid 2C: Butanoic acid 2D: 3-methylbutanoic acid 2E: Pentanoic acid 2F: 3-methylpentanoic acid 2G: 3-methyl-2-butenoic acid 2H: 4-methyl-2-pentenoic acid 2I: Hexanoic acid

[0116] The measurement results are shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9, the amounts of organic acid in Example 2 and Comparative Example 3 are shown as relative values ​​when the amount of organic acid in Comparative Example 4 is set to 1. Specifically, the amounts of organic acid were calculated as an area ratio by dividing the area values ​​of the chromatograms of Example 2 and Comparative Example 3 by the area value of the chromatogram of Comparative Example 4. Although the results of Comparative Example 4 are not shown in Figure 9, the area ratio of Comparative Example 4 is 1 for all organic acids.

[0117] The results in FIG. 9 show that for many organic acids other than acetic acid, the volatilization of the organic acid caused by the drying treatment was suppressed when the bubbling liquid contained a base component.

[0118] The results in Figures 8 and 9 show that when tobacco material is heated according to the method of the present invention to generate gas containing tobacco flavor components, and the resulting gas is reacted with a base component in water, the tobacco flavor components are less likely to volatilize and can be stably maintained even after drying treatment (heat treatment).

[0119] [3] Experiment 3 In Experiment 3, flue-cured tobacco material was used as the tobacco material, and potassium carbonate was used as the base component.

[0120] [3-1] Preparation of Tobacco Flavor Liquid Example 3 In Example 3, a "concentrated solution of tobacco flavor components" was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 20 mL of water containing 2,000 mg of potassium carbonate was used as the bubbling liquid 28, instead of water containing sodium hydroxide. In Example 3, the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 8.9.

[0121] Comparative Example 5 In Comparative Example 5, a "concentrated solution of tobacco flavor components" was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that 20 mL of water was used instead of water to which potassium carbonate had been added as the bubbling solution 28. In Comparative Example 5, the bubbling solution (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 4.0.

[0122] In Comparative Example 6, a reaction mixture was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that 20 mL of water was used as the bubbling liquid 28 instead of water containing potassium carbonate, and the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling was not dried. In Comparative Example 6, the bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling had a pH of 4.0.

[0123] [3-2] Analysis Method and Results The amounts of acetic acid contained in the "tobacco flavor component concentrate" obtained in Example 3, the "tobacco flavor component concentrate" obtained in Comparative Example 5, and the "reaction mixture" obtained in Comparative Example 6 were measured using capillary electrophoresis. The measured values ​​were converted into the amount of acetic acid per gram of the raw tobacco material, and the results are shown in Figure 10.

[0124] The results in FIG. 10 show that the inclusion of a base component in the bubbling liquid suppressed the volatilization of acetic acid that occurs during the drying treatment.

[0125] Furthermore, the amounts of organic acids other than acetic acid were measured using a GC-MS (gas chromatograph mass spectrometer) for the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in Example 3, the "concentrated liquid of tobacco flavor components" obtained in Comparative Example 5, and the "reaction mixture liquid" obtained in Comparative Example 6.

[0126] The types of organic acids measured are listed below. The symbols 3A to 3J written before each organic acid are used in Figure 11 to indicate each organic acid. 3A: Propanoic acid 3B: 2-methylpropanoic acid 3C: Butanoic acid 3D: 2-propenoic acid 3E: 2-methylbutanoic acid 3F: 2-methyl-2-propenoic acid 3G: Pentanoic acid 3H: 2-butenoic acid 3I: 3-methylpentanoic acid 3J: Benzeneacetic acid

[0127] The measurement results are shown in Figure 11. In Figure 11, the amounts of organic acids in Example 3 and Comparative Example 5 are shown as relative values ​​when the amount of organic acid in Comparative Example 6 is set to 1. Specifically, the amounts of organic acids were calculated as an area ratio by dividing the area values ​​of the chromatograms of Example 3 and Comparative Example 5 by the area value of the chromatogram of Comparative Example 6. Although the results of Comparative Example 6 are not shown in Figure 9, the area ratio of Comparative Example 6 is 1 for all organic acids.

[0128] The results in FIG. 11 show that for many organic acids other than acetic acid, the volatilization of the organic acid caused by the drying treatment was suppressed when the bubbling liquid contained a base component.

[0129] The results in Figures 10 and 11 show that when tobacco material is heated according to the method of the present invention to generate gas containing tobacco flavor components, and the resulting gas is reacted with a base component in water, the tobacco flavor components are less likely to volatilize and can be stably maintained even after drying treatment (heat treatment).

[0130] [4] Experiment 4 In Experiment 4, the pH of the reconstituted tobacco material was measured.

[0131] [4-1] Preparation of Regenerated Tobacco Material The "heated tobacco material" obtained in Example 1 and the "bubbling liquid (reaction mixture) recovered after bubbling" obtained in Example 1 were mixed. 12% by mass of glycerol, 9% by mass of guar gum, and an arbitrary amount of water were added to the resulting mixture and kneaded to obtain a kneaded mixture. Here, the amounts of glycerol and guar gum added are expressed as mass % relative to the dry mass of the mixture. The resulting kneaded mixture was then spread and molded into a sheet. The sheet-shaped product was dried in a hot air oven at 100°C for 5 minutes. The sheet-shaped product was then shredded. The shredded product was conditioned for 2 days in an environment of 22°C and 58% relative humidity to obtain a regenerated tobacco material (sheet tobacco).

[0132] [4-2] pH Measurement Results The pH of the reconstituted tobacco material was measured according to the above-mentioned "Method for measuring the pH of reconstituted tobacco material," and the pH was found to be 6.4.

[0133] 20... reaction system, 20A... heating device, 20B... bubbling device, 21... heating container, 22... heater, 23... tobacco material, 24... thermocouple, 25... gas flow path, 26... pump, 27... cooling container, 28... bubbling liquid, 29... cooling pipe, 100...aerosol generating device, 101...outer housing, 102...slide cover, 103...switch section, 110...inner housing, 120...power supply section, 121...power supply, 130...atomization section, 132...heat insulation section, 134...insertion guide member, 136...bottom member, 137...first holding section, 138...second holding section, 140...heater, 150...chamber, 200...tobacco stick, 201...smokable article, 202...first cigarette paper, 203...second cigarette paper, 204...cylindrical member, 205...filter section, 206...hollow filter section, 207...lip release agent.

Claims

1. heating the tobacco material to vaporize tobacco flavor components from the tobacco material; recovering the tobacco flavor components; reacting the tobacco flavor component with a base component to obtain a stabilized tobacco flavor component; A method for recovering stabilized tobacco flavor components, comprising:

2. Obtaining the stabilized tobacco flavor component according to the method of claim 1; mixing the stabilized tobacco flavor component with the heated tobacco material to obtain a reconstituted tobacco material; A method for producing reconstituted tobacco material, comprising:

3. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material has a pH of 4.5 to 6.

0.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating is carried out at a temperature of 180 to 250°C.

5. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said recovering is carried out by passing said gas containing said tobacco flavor components through an inert liquid to recover said tobacco flavor components in said liquid.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said recovering and said reacting are carried out simultaneously by passing a gas containing said tobacco flavor components through an inert liquid to which said base component has been added.

7. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the base component is contained in the inert liquid so that the pH of the reaction mixture obtained after the recovery and the reaction is 6.5 to 10.

8. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base component is a substance containing a salt that forms an ion of a weak acid having a pKa of 3 to 5 upon ionization.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base component is a substance that forms hydroxide ions when ionized.

10. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the base component is at least one selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate perhydrogenate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium formate, and potassium formate.

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stabilized tobacco flavor component is an ionized form of the tobacco flavor component.

12. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stabilized tobacco flavor component is a salt obtained by chemical reaction of the tobacco flavor component with the base component.

13. A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler containing a stabilized tobacco flavor component obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 12.

14. A reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the method of claim 2.

15. A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler containing reconstituted tobacco material obtained by the method of claim 2.