Method for treating tobacco raw material, tobacco raw material, non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system

Abstract

Provided is a method for treating tobacco raw material, with which it is possible to reduce the amount of furan analogs contained in smoke generated when the tobacco raw material is heated. A method for treating a tobacco raw material, comprising: a step for adding a basic substance to a tobacco raw material to prepare a tobacco raw material having a pH of 8 or more; and a step for heating the tobacco raw material having a pH of 8 or more until the pH becomes 6.3 or less.

Description

Tobacco raw material processing method, tobacco raw material, non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for processing tobacco raw materials, tobacco raw materials, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system.

[0002] In combustion-type flavor inhalers (cigarettes), flavor is obtained by burning a tobacco filler containing tobacco leaves. Meanwhile, as an alternative to combustion-type flavor inhalers, non-combustion-heating flavor inhalers have been proposed, which obtain flavor by heating tobacco raw materials instead of burning them. Tobacco raw materials contain sugars, which are decomposed when the tobacco raw materials are heated and detected in the smoke as furan analogs. Furan analogs have a unique sweet aroma, and depending on the type of non-combustion-heating flavor inhaler, it may be desirable to reduce this aroma. Meanwhile, methods for processing tobacco raw materials include those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5, for example.

[0003] JP-A-2016-506744 JP-A-2016-527913 JP-A-2013 / 146952 JP-A-2016 / 063775 JP-A-01-231884

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for processing tobacco raw materials that can reduce the amount of furan analogues contained in smoke generated when tobacco raw materials are heated, a tobacco raw material obtained by the method, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system that include the tobacco raw material.

[0005] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0006] [1] A method for processing a tobacco raw material, comprising: a step of adding a basic substance to a tobacco raw material to prepare a tobacco raw material having a pH of 8 or higher; and a step of heating the tobacco raw material having a pH of 8 or higher until the pH becomes 6.3 or lower.

[0007] [2] The method according to [1], wherein the heating is carried out in a closed space.

[0008] [3] The method according to [1] or [2], wherein the heating is carried out under pressure.

[0009] [4] The method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the heating temperature is 100 to 200°C.

[0010] [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the heating time is 30 minutes to 4 hours.

[0011] [6] The method according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the variety of the tobacco raw material is flue-cured.

[0012] [7] The method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the amount of sugars consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of the tobacco material after the treatment is 40 mg or less, and the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of the tobacco material after the treatment is 10 mg or more.

[0013] [8] The method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural in the smoke produced when 0.2 g of the treated tobacco material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is 410 μg or less.

[0014] [9] A tobacco material processed by the method according to any one of [1] to [8].

[0015]

[10] A flue-cured tobacco raw material, in which the amount of sugars consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 40 mg or less, and the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 10 mg or more.

[0016]

[11] The flue-cured tobacco raw material according to

[10] , wherein the amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 30 mg or more.

[0017]

[12] A flue-cured tobacco raw material, wherein the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is 410 μg or less.

[0018]

[13] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco raw material according to any one of [9] to

[12] .

[0019]

[14] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system comprising: the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to

[13] ; and a heating device that heats the tobacco raw material in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

[0020] The present invention can provide a method for processing tobacco raw materials that can reduce the amount of furan analogues contained in smoke generated when tobacco raw materials are heated, a tobacco raw material obtained by the method, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system that include the tobacco raw material.

[0021] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system according to the present embodiment, showing (a) a state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is inserted into a heating device, and (b) a state in which the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is inserted into the heating device and heated.

[0022] [Method for Processing Tobacco Raw Material] The method for processing tobacco raw material according to this embodiment includes the following steps: a step of adding a basic substance to tobacco raw material to prepare tobacco raw material with a pH of 8 or higher (hereinafter also referred to as the "basic substance adding step"); and a step of heating the tobacco raw material with a pH of 8 or higher until the pH becomes 6.3 or lower (hereinafter also referred to as the "heating step").

[0023] Furan analogs contained in the smoke produced when tobacco raw materials are heated mainly include furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural. These furan analogs are not originally contained in tobacco raw materials, or if they are present, they are present in extremely small amounts. It is presumed that the majority of furan analogs contained in the smoke produced when tobacco raw materials are heated are produced by thermal decomposition of sugars (mainly trisaccharides: glucose, fructose, and sucrose) contained in the tobacco raw materials. Therefore, if the content of sugars (especially trisaccharides) contained in the tobacco raw materials can be reduced, it is believed that the amount of furan analogs contained in the smoke produced when tobacco raw materials are heated can be reduced.

[0024] In the tobacco raw material processing method according to this embodiment, a basic substance is first added to the tobacco raw material to prepare a tobacco raw material with a pH of 8 or higher. The pH of typical tobacco raw materials is generally between 4.0 and 6.0. By adding a basic substance to the tobacco raw material to raise the pH to 8 or higher, the sugar decomposition reaction is facilitated during heat treatment. The tobacco raw material with a pH of 8 or higher is then heated until the pH reaches 6.3 or lower. The pH of the tobacco raw material with a pH of 8 or higher decreases with heating. This is because acidic substances such as formic acid and acetic acid are produced as decomposition products as the decomposition of sugars in the tobacco raw material progresses. In other words, using the pH of the tobacco raw material as an indicator, it is possible to determine the extent to which sugars have been decomposed (and, therefore, the extent to which furan analogs contained in smoke generated when the processed tobacco raw material is heated) can be reduced. In the method according to this embodiment, by adjusting the pH of the tobacco raw material after heating to 6.3 or lower, sugars are sufficiently decomposed, allowing the furan analogs contained in smoke generated when the processed tobacco raw material is heated to a level sufficient to reduce.

[0025] The amount of each flavor component produced when a tobacco material is heated varies depending on the pH of the tobacco material. However, the pH of the tobacco material after treatment obtained by the method according to the present embodiment is 6.3 or less, which is equivalent to the pH of an untreated tobacco material (approximately 4.0 to 6.0). Therefore, the method according to the present embodiment reduces the amount of furan analogs produced during heating, while maintaining the amount of useful flavor components other than furan analogs equivalent to that of an untreated tobacco material.

[0026] (Basic substance addition step) In this step, a basic substance is added to the tobacco material to prepare a tobacco material with a pH of 8 or higher. The tobacco material to be treated can be the entire tobacco or any part of the tobacco, and examples of parts include leaves, veins, stems, roots, flowers, and mixtures thereof. Examples of varieties of tobacco material include flue-cured tobacco, burley, native tobacco, and Oriental tobacco. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0027] Among these, in the method according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the variety of tobacco raw material is flue-cured. Burley is an example of a tobacco raw material that is naturally low in sugar content. However, while flue-cured tobacco is rich in useful flavor precursors other than sugar (e.g., 3-oxo-alpha-ionol, solavetivone, malic acid, proline, palmitic acid, etc.), burley is poor in these. The processing method according to the present embodiment can selectively reduce only the sugar content, particularly when heated in a closed space. Therefore, when flue-cured tobacco is used as the tobacco raw material, it is possible to obtain a tobacco raw material that has a low sugar content but a high content of other useful flavor precursors.

[0028] The state of the tobacco raw material used may be fresh leaves immediately after harvest that have not been subjected to drying or the like, or may be leaves that have been subjected to drying or aging treatments after harvest, or a combination of these may be used. Rib-shaped tobacco, expanded tobacco, and the like obtained by processing these tobacco raw materials may also be used. Furthermore, tobacco sheets (reconstituted tobacco) made using tobacco extracts obtained from these tobacco raw materials may also be used. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0029] Examples of basic substances added to tobacco raw materials include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The method for adding the basic substance is not particularly limited, but examples include a method in which a solution of the basic substance dissolved in a solvent such as water is sprayed onto the tobacco raw material, and a method in which the basic substance is directly added to a tobacco slurry or tobacco aqueous extract produced during the manufacturing process of reconstituted tobacco.

[0030] In this step, the pH of the tobacco raw material is adjusted to 8 or higher, preferably 8.1 or higher, and more preferably 8.2 or higher. The upper limit of the pH range of the tobacco raw material is preferably 9.0 or lower, more preferably 8.5 or lower, from the viewpoint of suppressing the volatilization of components desirable for flavor when tobacco is made basic. The pH of the tobacco raw material is measured by the following method. 0.5 g W.B. of the tobacco raw material is placed in a 20 mL screw cap bottle, and 5 mL of ultrapure water (trade name: Milli-Q) is added. The bottle is shaken at 200 rpm for 30 minutes. The pH of the contents of the screw cap bottle is measured using a pH meter (trade name: pH Measuring Electrode 0040-10D Meter F-72, manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.).

[0031] (Heating Step) In this step, the tobacco raw material with a pH of 8 or higher obtained in the basic substance addition step is heated until the pH becomes 6.3 or lower. The heating is preferably carried out in a closed space (i.e., a sealed space). Examples of heating in a closed space include heating in a sealed autoclave. By carrying out heating in a closed space, the amount of furan analogues can be reduced more than by heating in an open space, and the contents of nicotine and other useful flavor precursors contained in the tobacco raw material can be sufficiently maintained. In particular, the heating is preferably carried out under pressure. The pressure for pressurization can be, for example, 0.05 to 0.3 MPa (gauge pressure).

[0032] The heating temperature in the heating is preferably 100 to 200°C. When the heating temperature is 100°C or higher, the sugar decomposition reaction proceeds more rapidly, and the pH is sufficiently reduced. Furthermore, when the heating temperature is 200°C or lower, the generation of unpleasant odors such as a raw odor or a burnt odor can be suppressed. The heating temperature in the heating is more preferably 100 to 150°C, and even more preferably 100 to 130°C.

[0033] The heating time in the heating step depends on the heating temperature, but is preferably 30 minutes to 4 hours. A heating time of 30 minutes or more allows the sugar decomposition reaction to proceed sufficiently, resulting in a sufficient decrease in pH. Furthermore, a heating time of 4 hours or less can prevent an excessive decrease in pH and prevent changes in the amount of each flavor component produced when the tobacco raw material is heated. The heating time in the heating step is more preferably 1 to 4 hours, and even more preferably 2 to 4 hours. Note that the heating time refers to the heating time after the set temperature is reached, and does not include the time required for heating and cooling.

[0034] In this step, the pH of the tobacco raw material after heating is 6.3 or less, preferably 6 or less, and more preferably 5.5 or less. The lower limit of the pH range of the tobacco raw material after heating is preferably 4.0 or more, and more preferably 4.5 or more, from the viewpoint of preventing changes in the amount of each flavor component generated when the tobacco raw material is heated. The pH of the tobacco raw material is measured using the method described above.

[0035] After heating, the tobacco material may be dried or conditioned under a predetermined temperature and humidity environment.

[0036] (Characteristics of tobacco material after processing) The amount of sugars (trisaccharides) consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of tobacco material after processing by the method according to this embodiment is preferably 40 mg or less. By having a trisaccharide content of 40 mg or less, the amount of furan analogs contained in the smoke generated when the tobacco material is heated can be sufficiently reduced. The amount of trisaccharides contained in 1 g of tobacco material after processing is more preferably 30 mg or less, even more preferably 25 mg or less, and particularly preferably 20 mg or less. The lower limit of the range of the amount of trisaccharides contained in 1 g of tobacco material after processing is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5 mg or more. The amount of trisaccharides contained in the tobacco material after processing can be measured by the following method. The amount of trisaccharides can be measured by subjecting the extract obtained by extracting 1 g of tobacco material after processing with ultrapure water to high-performance liquid chromatography.

[0037] The amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of tobacco material after processing using the method according to this embodiment is preferably 10 mg or more. A nicotine content of 10 mg or more allows for a sufficient flavor to be obtained when heated. The amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of tobacco material after processing is more preferably 12 mg or more, and even more preferably 15 mg or more. The upper limit of the range of the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of tobacco material after processing is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 30 mg or less. The amount of nicotine contained in the tobacco material after processing can be measured using the following method. The amount of nicotine can be measured by adding 1 mol / L sodium hydroxide to 1 g of tobacco material after processing, extracting with hexane, and subjecting the resulting extract to gas chromatography.

[0038] In particular, it is preferable that the amount of sugars (trisaccharides) consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of processed tobacco material is 40 mg or less, and the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of processed tobacco material is 10 mg or more, because this ensures a sufficient supply of nicotine while reducing the amount of furan analogues generated during heating.

[0039] When 0.2 g of treated tobacco material processed by the method according to this embodiment is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes, the smoke produced preferably contains furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furylhydroxymethylketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural (hereinafter also referred to as the eight furan analogs). Having a total mass of the eight furan analogs of 410 μg or less allows the characteristic sweet aroma derived from furan analogs to be sufficiently reduced. When 0.2 g of treated tobacco material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes, the total mass of the eight furan analogs produced in the smoke is more preferably 400 μg or less, even more preferably 350 μg or less, and particularly preferably 300 μg or less. The lower limit of the range of the total mass of the eight furan analogs produced in the smoke produced when 0.2 g of treated tobacco material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 50 μg or more.

[0040] The total mass of the eight furan analogues in the smoke produced when 0.2 g of treated tobacco material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is measured using the following method: 0.2 g of treated tobacco material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes in an infrared gold image furnace under a nitrogen atmosphere. The smoke produced during this process is collected using a Cambridge filter and methanol at -70°C, and the total amount of the eight furan analogues is measured using gas chromatography.

[0041] [Flu-cured tobacco raw material] (First embodiment) The flue-cured tobacco raw material according to this embodiment contains 40 mg or less of sugars (trisaccharides) consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose per gram of flue-cured tobacco raw material, and 10 mg or more of nicotine per gram of flue-cured tobacco raw material. One gram of a typical flue-cured tobacco raw material typically contains more than 50 mg of trisaccharides. However, the flue-cured tobacco raw material according to this embodiment contains 40 mg or less of trisaccharides per gram of flue-cured tobacco raw material, which reduces the amount of furan analogs contained in the smoke generated when the tobacco raw material is heated, thereby reducing the unique sweet aroma derived from furan analogs. Meanwhile, the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is 10 mg or more, which allows a sufficient flavor to be obtained when heated. The flue-cured tobacco raw material according to this embodiment can be suitably produced by treating a flue-cured tobacco raw material with the tobacco raw material treatment method according to this embodiment.

[0042] The amount of trisaccharide contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is preferably 30 mg or less, more preferably 25 mg or less, and even more preferably 20 mg or less. The lower limit of the range of the amount of trisaccharide contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5 mg or more. The amount of trisaccharide contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material can be measured in the same manner as the amount of trisaccharide contained in the tobacco raw material after treatment described above.

[0043] The amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is preferably 12 mg or more, and more preferably 15 mg or more. The upper limit of the range of the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 30 mg or less. The amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material can be measured using the same method as the amount of nicotine contained in the tobacco raw material after treatment described above.

[0044] The amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is preferably 30 mg or more. Malic acid is a useful flavor precursor, and when the amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is 30 mg or more, the quality of the flavor is improved. The amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is more preferably 31 mg or more, and even more preferably 32 mg or more. The upper limit of the range of the amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 40 mg or less. The amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material can be measured by the following method. The amount of malic acid can be measured by subjecting an extract obtained by extracting 1 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material with ultrapure water to a capillary electrophoresis system.

[0045] Second Embodiment In the flue-cured tobacco raw material according to this embodiment, the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furylhydroxymethylketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural (eight furan analogs) in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for five minutes is 410 μg or less. The total mass of the eight furan analogs in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of a typical flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for five minutes typically exceeds 1,000 μg. However, in the flue-cured tobacco raw material according to this embodiment, the total mass of the eight furan analogs in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for five minutes is 410 μg or less, and therefore the unique sweet aroma derived from the furan analogs generated during heating is reduced. The flue-cured tobacco raw material according to this embodiment can be suitably produced by treating the flue-cured tobacco raw material with the tobacco raw material treatment method according to this embodiment.

[0046] The total mass of the eight furan analogues in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is preferably 400 μg or less, more preferably 350 μg or less, and even more preferably 300 μg or less. The lower limit of the range of the total mass of the eight furan analogues in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 50 mg or more. The total mass of the eight furan analogues in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes can be measured in the same manner as the total mass of the eight furan analogues in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of the tobacco raw material after the above-mentioned treatment is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes.

[0047] [Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment includes the tobacco raw material according to this embodiment. Because the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment includes the tobacco raw material according to this embodiment, the unique sweet aroma derived from furan analogues that is generated during use (when heated) is reduced.

[0048] An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a tobacco-containing segment 2 filled with the tobacco raw material according to the present embodiment, a cylindrical cooling segment 3 having perforations 8 on its circumference, a center hole segment 4, and a filter segment 5. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment may have other segments in addition to the tobacco-containing segment, cooling segment, center hole segment, and filter segment.

[0049] The axial length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40 mm or more and 90 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or more and 75 mm or less, and even more preferably 50 mm or more and 60 mm or less. The circumferential length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is preferably 16 mm or more and 25 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or more and 24 mm or less, and even more preferably 21 mm or more and 23 mm or less. For example, the tobacco-containing segment may be 20 mm long, the cooling segment may be 20 mm long, the center hole segment may be 8 mm long, and the filter segment may be 7 mm long. The length of the filter segment may be selected within a range of 4 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The airflow resistance of the filter segment in this case is 15 mmH per segment. ２ O / seg or more, 60mmH ２ The length of each segment can be appropriately changed depending on manufacturing suitability, required quality, etc. Furthermore, even if a filter segment alone is disposed downstream of the cooling segment without using a center hole segment, the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can still function.

[0050] (Tobacco-Containing Segment) In the tobacco-containing segment 2, the tobacco material according to this embodiment is filled into cigarette paper (hereinafter also referred to as a wrapper). The method for filling the tobacco material into the cigarette paper is not particularly limited, and for example, the tobacco material may be wrapped in a wrapper, or the tobacco material may be filled into a tubular wrapper. When the tobacco material has a longitudinal direction, such as a rectangular shape, the tobacco material may be filled so that the longitudinal direction is in an unspecified direction within the wrapper, or may be filled so that the tobacco material is aligned in the axial direction of the tobacco-containing segment 2 or perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0051] (Cooling Segment) As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling segment 3 may be configured as a cylindrical member 7. The cylindrical member 7 may be, for example, a cardboard tube formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0052] The tubular member 7 and the mouthpiece lining paper 12 (described later) are provided with perforations 8 that penetrate both. The presence of the perforations 8 allows outside air to be introduced into the cooling segment 3 during inhalation. As a result, the vaporized aerosol components generated by heating the tobacco-containing segment 2 come into contact with the outside air, their temperature drops, and they liquefy, forming an aerosol. The diameter (distance across) of the perforations 8 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The number of perforations 8 is not particularly limited, and may be one, two, or more. For example, a plurality of perforations 8 may be provided around the circumference of the cooling segment 3.

[0053] The amount of outside air introduced through the perforations 8 is preferably 85% by volume or less, more preferably 80% by volume or less, of the total volume of gas inhaled by the user. By setting the ratio of the amount of outside air to 85% by volume or less, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the reduction in flavor due to dilution by the outside air. This is also referred to as the ventilation ratio. From the viewpoint of cooling performance, the lower limit of the ventilation ratio range is preferably 55% by volume or more, more preferably 60% by volume or more.

[0054] The cooling segment may also be a segment comprising a sheet of suitable construction material that has been wrinkled, pleated, gathered, or folded. The cross-sectional profile of such an element may exhibit randomly oriented channels. The cooling segment may also comprise a bundle of longitudinally extending tubes. Such a cooling segment may be formed, for example, by wrapping a pleated, gathered, or folded sheet material with a wrapping paper.

[0055] The axial length of the cooling segment can be, for example, 7 mm to 28 mm, for example, 18 mm, and the axial cross section of the cooling segment can be substantially circular, with a diameter of, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm, for example, about 7 mm.

[0056] (Center Hole Segment) The center hole segment is composed of a filling layer having one or more hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) covering the filling layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the center hole segment 4 is composed of a first filling layer 9 having a hollow portion and a first inner plug wrapper 10 covering the first filling layer 9. The center hole segment 4 functions to increase the strength of the mouthpiece segment 6. The first filling layer 9 can be, for example, a rod with an inner diameter of 1.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less, which is densely packed with cellulose acetate fibers and hardened by adding a plasticizer containing triacetin in an amount of 6% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less relative to the mass of cellulose acetate. Because the first filling layer 9 has a high fiber packing density, during inhalation, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow portions, with almost no flow within the first filling layer 9. Because the first filling layer 9 inside the center hole segment 4 is a fiber-packed layer, the feel from the outside during use is less likely to cause discomfort to the user. It is also possible for the center hole segment 4 not to have the first inner plug wrapper 10 and for its shape to be maintained by thermoforming.

[0057] (Filter Segment) The configuration of the filter segment 5 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 5 can be appropriately changed depending on the amount, material, etc. of the packing filled in the filter segment 5. 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 5. 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).

[0058] The circumferential length of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 21 to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter segment 5 can be selected from 4 to 10 mm, and the airflow resistance thereof is, for example, 15 to 60 mmH. ２ The filter segment 5 has an axial length of preferably 5 to 9 mm, more preferably 6 to 8 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like. Furthermore, a flavor-containing breakable capsule, flavor beads, or flavor may be directly added to the filter segment 5.

[0059] As shown in Figure 1, the center hole segment 4 and the filter segment 5 can be connected by an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper) 11. The outer plug wrapper 11 can be, for example, a cylindrical piece of paper. The tobacco-containing segment 2, the cooling segment 3, and the connected center hole segment 4 and filter segment 5 can be connected by a mouthpiece lining paper 12. These connections can be made, for example, by applying glue such as vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 12, and then inserting and winding the three segments. Note that these segments may also be connected in multiple places using multiple lining papers.

[0060] [Non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment includes a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment and a heating device that heats the tobacco raw material in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. Because the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment includes the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment, it has less of the unique sweet aroma derived from furan analogs that is generated during use (when heated). The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment may have other configurations in addition to the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment and the heating device.

[0061] An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 2. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system shown in Figure 2 includes a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 according to this embodiment and a heating device 13 that heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside.

[0062] Figure 2(a) shows the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 in a state before it is inserted into the heating device 13, and Figure 2(b) shows the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 inserted into the heating device 13 and being heated. The heating device 13 shown in Figure 2 comprises a body 14, a heater 15, a metal tube 16, a battery unit 17, and a control unit 18. The body 14 has a cylindrical recess 19, and the heater 15 and metal tube 16 are disposed on the inner side of the recess 19 at a position corresponding to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 to be inserted into the recess 19. The heater 15 may be an electric resistance heater, and is heated by being supplied with power from the battery unit 17 in response to instructions from the control unit 18, which controls the temperature. The heat generated by the heater 15 is transmitted to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 through the metal tube 16, which has high thermal conductivity.

[0063] 2(b) is a schematic illustration, and therefore there is a gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16, but in reality, for the purpose of efficient heat transfer, it is preferable that there is no gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16. Note that although the heating device 13 heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside, it may also heat from the inside.

[0064] The heating temperature by the heating device is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400° C. or less, more preferably 150° C. or more and 400° C. or less, and even more preferably 200° C. or more and 350° C. or less. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device.

[0065] The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but is not limited to these examples. The amounts of furan analogs in smoke, as well as the amounts of trisaccharides, nicotine, and malic acid, were measured by the following methods.

[0066] (Measurement of the amount of furan analogues in smoke) 0.2 g of the obtained treated tobacco raw material was heated at 300°C for 5 minutes, and the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furylhydroxymethylketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural (eight furan analogues) in the smoke produced was measured using the following method. 0.2 g of the treated tobacco raw material was heated at 300°C for 5 minutes in a nitrogen atmosphere in an infrared gold image furnace. The smoke produced during this process was collected using a Cambridge filter and methanol at -70°C, and the total amount of the eight furan analogues was measured by gas chromatography.

[0067] (Measurement of trisaccharide, nicotine, and malic acid amounts) The amount of sugar (trisaccharide) consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of the obtained processed tobacco material was measured by the following method. The amount of trisaccharide was measured by subjecting the extract obtained by extracting 1 g of the processed tobacco material with ultrapure water to high-performance liquid chromatography. The amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of the obtained processed tobacco material was also measured by the following method. 1 mol / L sodium hydroxide was added to 1 g of the processed tobacco material, and then the extract obtained by extraction with hexane was subjected to gas chromatography to measure the amount of nicotine. The amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of the obtained processed tobacco material was also measured by the following method. The amount of malic acid was measured by subjecting the extract obtained by extracting 1 g of the processed tobacco material with ultrapure water to a capillary electrophoresis system.

[0068] Example 1 A blend of tobacco sheet and shredded tobacco ribs made from flue-cured tobacco was prepared as a tobacco raw material. 6 g of a 10 wt % aqueous sodium carbonate solution (3 wt % sodium carbonate) was sprayed onto 20 g W.B. of the tobacco raw material using a glass sprayer. The pH of the resulting tobacco raw material was 8.03. The tobacco raw material was then placed in a glass Erlenmeyer flask, covered with aluminum foil, and placed in an autoclave (product name: LSX-500, manufactured by Tomy Seiko Co., Ltd.). The autoclave was set to maintain a maximum temperature of 120°C for 30 minutes, and heating and pressurization were initiated. During heating, the pressure inside the autoclave was 0.1 MPa. After heating was completed, the tobacco raw material was removed and the pH was measured. The pH of the tobacco raw material was 6.13. The tobacco raw material was then transferred to a tray and air-dried in a draft chamber for 30 minutes. It was then conditioned for at least 48 hours at room temperature of 22°C and humidity of 60%. The total mass of eight furan analogues in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of the resulting treated tobacco material was heated at 300°C for 5 minutes was measured using the method described above. The amount of trisaccharides contained in 1 g of the resulting treated tobacco material was also measured using the method described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0069] [Examples 2 to 5] Tobacco raw materials were processed and measured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the heating time was changed to 1 to 4 hours. The results are shown in Table 1. The pressure inside the autoclave during heating was always 0.1 MPa. In addition, for Examples 3 to 5, the amounts of trisaccharide and malic acid were also measured using the above-mentioned methods, and for Example 3, the amount of nicotine was also measured using the above-mentioned method.

[0070] Comparative Examples 1 to 13 Tobacco raw materials were processed and measured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of basic substance added, whether or not heating was performed, the heating method, heating temperature, and heating time were changed as shown in Table 1. The results are shown in Table 1. Note that Comparative Example 1 represents an untreated tobacco raw material. In addition, in the "heating" column in Table 1, "AC" represents heating in an autoclave in a closed space (pressurized environment), and "Oven" represents heating in an open oven. The same applies to Tables 2 and 3.

[0071]

[0072] [Example 6] Except for using only flue-cured leaf tobacco as the tobacco raw material, the tobacco raw material was treated and measured in the same manner as in Example 3. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0073] Comparative Examples 14 and 15 Tobacco raw materials were processed and measured in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the amount of basic substance added and whether or not heating was performed were changed as shown in Table 2. The results are shown in Table 2. Note that Comparative Example 14 represents an untreated tobacco raw material. Furthermore, in Comparative Example 15, 30 wt % water was added instead of adding a basic substance.

[0074]

[0075] Example 7 The tobacco material was processed and measured in the same manner as in Example 3, except that only flue-cured shredded tobacco was used as the tobacco material. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0076] Comparative Examples 16 and 17 Tobacco raw materials were processed and measured in the same manner as in Example 7, except that the amount of basic substance added and whether or not heating was performed were changed as shown in Table 3. The results are shown in Table 3. Note that Comparative Example 16 represents an untreated tobacco raw material. Furthermore, in Comparative Example 17, 30 wt % water was added instead of adding a basic substance.

[0077]

[0078] Reference Example 1 Except for using only Burley leaf tobacco as the tobacco raw material, the tobacco raw material was treated and measured in the same manner as in Example 3. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0079] [Reference Examples 2 to 4] Tobacco raw materials were treated and measured in the same manner as Reference Example 1, except that the amount of basic substance added was changed as shown in Table 4. The results are shown in Table 4. Reference Example 2 shows untreated tobacco raw materials.

[0080]

[0081] The present embodiment includes the following aspects.

[0082] [1] A method for processing a tobacco raw material, comprising: a step of adding a basic substance to a tobacco raw material to prepare a tobacco raw material having a pH of 8 or higher; and a step of heating the tobacco raw material having a pH of 8 or higher until the pH becomes 6.3 or lower.

[0083] [2] The method according to [1], wherein the heating is carried out in a closed space.

[0084] [3] The method according to [1] or [2], wherein the heating is carried out under pressure.

[0085] [4] The method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the heating temperature is 100 to 200°C.

[0086] [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the heating time is 30 minutes to 4 hours.

[0087] [6] The method according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the variety of the tobacco raw material is flue-cured.

[0088] [7] The method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the amount of sugars consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of the tobacco material after the treatment is 40 mg or less, and the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of the tobacco material after the treatment is 10 mg or more.

[0089] [8] The method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural in the smoke produced when 0.2 g of the treated tobacco material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is 410 μg or less.

[0090] [9] A tobacco material processed by the method according to any one of [1] to [8].

[0091]

[10] A flue-cured tobacco raw material, in which the amount of sugars consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 40 mg or less, and the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 10 mg or more.

[0092]

[11] The flue-cured tobacco raw material according to

[10] , wherein the amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 30 mg or more.

[0093]

[12] A flue-cured tobacco raw material, wherein the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is 410 μg or less.

[0094]

[13] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco raw material according to any one of [9] to

[12] .

[0095]

[14] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system comprising: the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to

[13] ; and a heating device that heats the tobacco raw material in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

[0096] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 2 Tobacco-containing segment 3 Cooling segment 4 Center hole segment 5 Filter segment 6 Mouthpiece segment 7 Cylindrical member 8 Perforation 9 First filling layer 10 First inner plug wrapper 11 Outer plug wrapper 12 Mouthpiece lining paper 13 Heating device 14 Body 15 Heater 16 Metal tube 17 Battery unit 18 Control unit 19 Recess

Claims

1. adding a basic substance to a tobacco raw material to prepare a tobacco raw material having a pH of 8 or higher; heating the tobacco raw material with a pH of 8 or higher until the pH becomes 6.3 or lower; A method for processing tobacco raw materials, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heating is performed in an enclosed space.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the heating is carried out under pressure.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heating temperature is 100 to 200°C.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heating time is from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the variety of tobacco raw material is flue-cured.

7. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of sugars consisting of glucose, fructose, and sucrose contained in 1 g of the processed tobacco material is 40 mg or less, and the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of the processed tobacco material is 10 mg or more.

8. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural in the smoke produced when 0.2 g of the treated tobacco material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is 410 μg or less.

9. A tobacco material processed by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A flue-cured tobacco raw material in which the amount of sugars consisting of glucose, fructose and sucrose contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 40 mg or less, and the amount of nicotine contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 10 mg or more.

11. The flue-cured tobacco raw material according to claim 10, wherein the amount of malic acid contained in 1 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is 30 mg or more.

12. A flue-cured tobacco raw material, wherein the total mass of furan, 2-methylfuran, furfural, 2-acetylfuran, 5-methylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, furyl hydroxymethyl ketone, and 5-hydroxymethylfurural in the smoke generated when 0.2 g of the flue-cured tobacco raw material is heated at 300°C for 5 minutes is 410 μg or less.

13. A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco material according to claim 9.

14. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 13; a heating device for heating the tobacco raw material in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler; A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system.