IMPROVED FORMULATION OF DRY POWDER FLAVORED WITH TOBACCO

Abstract

A flavored tobacco dry powder formulation is provided, comprising a plurality of particles comprising a base material and a tobacco flavoring composition, wherein a first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the flavored tobacco dry powder formulation is greater than 0.25. Furthermore, a method for producing such a flavored tobacco powder formulation is provided. The method comprises the steps of: preparing the tobacco starting material; heating the tobacco starting material to an extraction temperature of between 100°C and 160°C for at least 90 minutes; collecting the volatile compounds released from the tobacco starting material during the heating step; forming a liquid tobacco flavoring composition comprising the collected volatile compounds; and combining a base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to form flavored tobacco particles.

Description

IMPROVED FORMULATION OF DRY POWDER FLAVORED WITH TOBACCO The present invention relates to a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation for inhalation, which can be used as a component of a powder system that includes both nicotine-containing particles and flavor-containing particles, such as one in which the flavored particles are larger than the nicotine particles. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing tobacco-flavored powder particles. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are known and used to treat respiratory illnesses by delivering a dry powder containing a pharmaceutical product as an aerosol through inhalation into the patient's airways. Typically, a DPI is a breath-activated device that delivers the drug as particles contained in a capsule or ampoule that is pierced before use. Because the drug is processed, weighed, and packaged as a powder, the risks of decomposition, separation, and microbiological contamination are minimal compared to wet formulations. For delivery to the lungs, particles in the 1- to 5-micrometer range are preferred. In pharmaceutical dry powders, the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) may agglomerate on the surface of larger carrier particles, such as lactose. Pharmaceutical dry powders containing lactose as a carrier can range from 20 to 100 micrometers. DPIs operate complex mechanisms to ensure that such agglomerates disperse, break up, or disaggregate before the API is inhaled into the lungs. Inhalation devices (IDDs) rely on the force of the patient's inhalation to draw the powder from the device and subsequently break it down into particles small enough to enter the lungs. Sufficiently high inhalation rates are required to establish the correct dose and ensure complete disintegration of the powder. Typically, a large amount of the powder remains attached to the wearer's skin and is deposited in the upper airways due to incomplete powder disintegration. Inhalation rates for existing IDDs are usually in the range of 20–100 liters / min (L / min). Therefore, existing IDDs are only suitable for delivering dry powders to users in a manner that differs from the inhalation rate associated with smoking articles. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi Therefore, existing DPIs are generally not suitable for delivering dry powder particles to the lungs in a manner consistent with conventional smoking regimes. For example, DPIs often aim to deliver a full dose of dry powder in a single inhalation. In contrast, conventional smoking regimes involve a series of comfortable puffs. A solution addressing this problem has been proposed, for example, in WO 2019 / 003118, which describes a container or capsule, a powder system, and an inhaler article adapted to deliver particles to the lungs at airflow or inhalation velocities within the smoking inhalation regime or conventional airflow velocities. A consumer can take multiple inhalations or “puffs,” each “puff” delivering a uniform fractional amount of dry powder contained within a container or capsule inside the capsule cavity of the inhaler article described in WO 2019 / 003118. This inhaler article may be shaped similarly to a conventional cigarette, mimic the ritual of conventional smoking, and provide a pleasurable or recreational form of nicotine delivery.In some embodiments, the inhaler article is adapted to deliver a powder system comprising a first plurality of particles and a second plurality of particles. The first plurality of particles has a particle size that is larger than the size of the second plurality of particles. The first plurality of particles may be nicotine-free and include a flavoring component, and is preferably free-flowing. The second plurality of particles comprises nicotine and is preferably free-flowing. A process is known by US patent 6056949 for the preparation of a substantially spherical, practically dust-free, free-flowing, mechanically stable, aromatic and odoriferous granular material with a narrow particle size distribution. According to US patent 6056949, any conventional flavoring or odorant, including fruits such as citrus and berries, tobacco, flowers, wood, spices, and amber, may be used in the manufacture of this dry powder. The powder particles obtained by the process described in US patent 6056949 are described as having a size of 0.2 millimeters to 1 millimeter. EP 3393451 describes a powder system comprising particles containing nicotine and flavoring particles, where the flavoring particles are larger than the nicotine particles. Most of the flavoring particles in the system have a particle size of approximately 20 micrometers or larger, preferably approximately 50 micrometers or larger. Additionally, the flavoring particles in the system preferably have a particle size of approximately 150 micrometers or smaller. EP 3478264 describes a nicotine powder comprising a sugar and an amino acid. EP 3478265 describes a nicotine powder obtained by spray drying and milling. It would be advantageous to provide a novel flavored dry tobacco powder, particularly for use in an inhaler device adapted to deliver inhalation speeds commonly associated with smoking articles, while minimizing the content of undesirable tobacco-derived compounds. At the same time, it would be advantageous to provide such an improved flavored dry tobacco powder that has a high level of desirable tobacco-related flavor species. It would be convenient to provide an improved flavored tobacco dry powder that can be easily used in an inhaler device that is associated with a conventional smoking regime or in the manufacture of a powder system for use in such an inhaler device. Similarly, it would be convenient to provide a method for the manufacture of such an improved flavored dry tobacco powder, particularly one that can be carried out efficiently by using existing apparatus and techniques. This description relates to a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprising a plurality of particles. The particles may comprise a base material and a tobacco flavoring composition. A first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation may be greater than 0.25. Furthermore, this description relates to a method for producing a tobacco-flavored powder formulation. The method may include a step of preparing a tobacco starting material. The method may include a step of heating the tobacco starting material to an extraction temperature between 100°C and 160°C for at least 90 minutes. The method may include a step of collecting the volatile compounds released from the tobacco starting material during the heating step. The method may include a step of forming a liquid tobacco flavoring composition comprising the collected volatile compounds. The method may include a step of combining a base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to form flavored tobacco particles. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi Furthermore, this description relates to a powder system comprising a first plurality of particles and a second plurality of particles. The first plurality of particles may have a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers. The second plurality of particles may have a particle size of approximately 10 micrometers or less. The first plurality of particles may comprise a base material and a tobacco flavoring composition. The weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco flavoring composition may be greater than 0.25. The second plurality of particles may comprise nicotine. In addition, the second plurality of particles may comprise a sugar and an amino acid. Furthermore, the present description relates to a powder system comprising a first plurality of flavored tobacco particles. The flavored tobacco particles may have a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers. The powder system may comprise a second plurality of particles. The second plurality of particles may have a particle size smaller than approximately 20 micrometers. A first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the flavored tobacco particles of the first plurality may be greater than 0.25. According to the present invention, a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is provided, comprising a plurality of particles comprising a base material and a tobacco flavoring composition. A first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is greater than 0.25. A method for producing a tobacco-flavored powder formulation is also provided according to the present invention. The method comprises a first step of preparing a tobacco starting material. The method comprises a second step of heating the tobacco starting material to an extraction temperature of between 100°C and 160°C for at least 90 minutes. The method comprises a third step of collecting the volatile compounds released from the tobacco starting material during the heating step.The method comprises a fourth step of forming a liquid tobacco flavoring composition comprising the collected volatile compounds. The method comprises a fifth step of combining a base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to form flavored tobacco particles. According to the present invention, a powder system is further provided comprising a first plurality of particles and a second plurality of particles. The first plurality of particles has a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers. The second plurality of particles has a particle size of approximately 10 micrometers or less. The first plurality of particles comprises a base material and a tobacco flavoring composition. A first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco flavoring composition is greater than 0.25. The second plurality of particles comprises nicotine. According to the present invention, a powder system is also provided comprising: a first plurality of flavored tobacco particles having a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers and a second plurality of particles having a particle size less than approximately 20 micrometers, wherein a first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the flavored tobacco particles of the first plurality is greater than 0.25. It will be appreciated that any feature described below with reference to the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation of the present invention or to the method for producing a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation of the present invention or to the powder system of the present invention are equally applicable to any other powder formulation, method, and powder system. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "dry powder formulation" denotes a formulation containing finely dispersed solid particles having a certain particle size distribution that can be readily dispersed in or by means of an inhaler and administered to a subject by inhalation so that a portion of the particles reach a tissue of the oral cavity or upper respiratory tract, such as, for example, the pharynx or throat in general. Depending on the particle size, which is defined by their aerodynamic diameters, the particles of a dry powder formulation may also be suitable for pulmonary administration. The size of a particle, as indicated in this description, preferably refers to the aerodynamic diameter of the particle. The aerodynamic diameter of a particle is defined as that of a sphere having a density of 1 gram per cubic centimeter, which settles in still air at the same speed as the particle in question. In particular, for a powder system, reference is commonly made to the mass mean aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), one of the most widely adopted metrics as a single numerical descriptor of the aerodynamic particle size distribution. The MMAD is a statistically derived figure for a sample of particles: for example, an MMAD of 5 micrometers means that 50 percent of the total mass of the sample will be present in particles having aerodynamic diameters of less than 5 micrometers, and that the remaining 50 percent of the total mass of the sample will be present in particles having an aerodynamic diameter greater than 5 micrometers. In the context of the present invention, when describing a powder system, the term particle size preferably refers to the MMAD of the powder system. The MMAD (Mean Mass Air Discharge) of a powder system is preferably measured using a cascade impactor. Cascade impactors are instruments that have been widely used to sample and separate airborne particles to determine the aerodynamic particle size classification of the aerosol. In practice, cascade impactors separate an incoming sample into discrete fractions based on particle inertia, which is a function of particle size, density, and velocity. A cascade impactor typically comprises a series of stages, each consisting of a plate with a specific nozzle arrangement and a collection surface. As the nozzle size and total nozzle area decrease with increasing stage numbers, the velocity of the sample-laden air increases as it passes through the instrument.In each stage, particles with sufficient inertia are released from the prevailing airstream to impact the collection surface. Therefore, at any given flow rate, each stage is associated with a cutoff diameter, a figure that defines the size of the collected particles. As the number of stages increases, the flow rate increases, and thus the stage's cutoff diameter decreases. Therefore, the cutoff diameter associated with a given stage is a function of the airflow rate used for testing. To reflect real-world performance, nebulizers are routinely tested at 15 L / min, and dry powder inhalers can be tested at flow rates up to 100 L / min. Preferably, in the context of the present invention, the MMAD of a powder system is measured using a next-generation impactor (NGI) 170 (available from Copley Scientific AG). The NGI is a high-performance, high-precision particle classification cascade impactor having seven stages plus a microhole collector (MOC). The characteristics and operating principle of an NGI are described, for example, in Marple et al., Journal of Aerosol Medicine - Volume 16, Number 3 (2003). More preferably, the measurements are carried out at 20 ± 3 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 35 ± 5 percent. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi A dry powder formulation typically contains less than or equal to approximately 15 percent by wet weight, preferably less than or equal to approximately 10 percent moisture, and even more preferably less than or equal to approximately 6 percent by wet weight. With the highest preference, a dry powder formulation contains less than or equal to approximately 5 percent by wet weight, or even less than or equal to approximately 3 percent by wet weight, or even less than or equal to approximately 1 percent by wet weight. In some embodiments, the dry powder formulation may contain from approximately 1 percent wet weight to approximately 15 percent wet weight, preferably from approximately 3 percent wet weight to approximately 15 percent wet weight, and even more preferably from approximately 5 percent wet weight to approximately 15 percent wet weight. In other embodiments, the dry powder formulation may contain from approximately 1 percent wet weight to approximately 10 percent wet weight, preferably from approximately 3 percent wet weight to approximately 10 percent wet weight, and even more preferably from approximately 5 percent wet weight to approximately 10 percent wet weight.In additional embodiments, the dry powder formulation may contain from approximately 1 percent by wet weight to approximately 10 percent by wet weight, preferably from approximately 3 percent by wet weight to approximately 10 percent by wet weight, even more preferably from approximately 5 percent by wet weight to approximately 10 percent by wet weight. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the dry powder formulation may contain from approximately 1 percent by wet weight to approximately 6 percent by wet weight or from approximately 3 percent by wet weight to approximately 6 percent by wet weight or from approximately 5 percent by wet weight to approximately 6 percent by wet weight. The particles can be micro or nanometric in size. The particles can have a narrow particle size distribution. The term "micro-size" is used herein with reference to the particles of a formulation according to the present invention to refer broadly to particles having an average particle size of approximately 1 micrometer to approximately 10 micrometers. Particle size may refer to the diameter of the particles when they are substantially spherical. The particles may be non-spherical, and the particle size may refer to an equivalent diameter of the particles relative to spherical particles. The term nanometric size is used in the present description with reference to the particles of a formulation according to the present invention to refer generally to particles having an average particle size of less than approximately 1,000 nanometers, particularly between approximately 50 nanometers and approximately 1,000 nanometers. In the context of the present invention, the term narrow particle size distribution is used to indicate that the interval value of the particles of a formulation according to the invention is less than approximately 2. The interval value is defined as Interval=([particle diameter at 90 percent of cumulative size]-[particle diameter at 10 percent of cumulative size] / / [particle diameter at 50 percent of cumulative size], or is defined arithmetically as (D90-D10) / D50. As briefly described above, unlike existing dry powder formulations, a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention comprises a plurality of particles comprising a base material and a tobacco flavoring composition, a first weight ratio of (β-ionone + βdamascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation being greater than 0.25. Therefore, the invention advantageously provides a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation that can maximize the content of tobacco-related flavor compounds while simultaneously reducing the content of less desirable naturally occurring tobacco-derived compounds, such as furans and TSNA. Furthermore, the inventors have found that a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention has a flavor more similar to that of natural tobacco compared to powder formulations obtained from artificial mixtures that include synthetic compounds. Furthermore, in preferred modalities that will be described in detail below, it is advantageously possible to reduce mouth harshness and control the nicotine level in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. As briefly described above, a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation can be obtained by a method comprising a first step of preparing a tobacco starting material. Preferably, the tobacco starting material is a natural tobacco material. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "natural tobacco material" describes any part of any plant member of the genus Nicotiana, including, but not limited to, leaves, midribs, stems, and stalks. In particular, natural tobacco material may comprise artificially cured tobacco material, Burley tobacco material, Oriental tobacco material, Maryland tobacco material, dark tobacco material, dark cook tobacco material, Rustica tobacco material, as well as material from other rare or specialty tobaccos, or mixtures thereof. As will be described in more detail below, the tobacco material may be whole (e.g., whole tobacco leaves), chopped, cut, ground, or aged. In some embodiments, the tobacco material may be a combination of one or more of these forms: chopped, cut, ground, and aged. As used herein with reference to the method of the present invention, the term "liquid tobacco flavoring composition" describes the direct product of an extraction process carried out on a tobacco starting material. Therefore, the tobacco extract typically comprises a mixture of natural components that are separated from, removed from, or derived from a natural tobacco material by the use of tobacco extraction processing conditions and techniques. Thus, in one such process, the extractable tobacco components are removed from the natural tobacco material and separated from the non-extractable tobacco components. Several methods are known for manufacturing a liquid tobacco extract used as a liquid tobacco flavoring composition. For example, WO 2017 / 144705 describes a method in which a tobacco material is heated to a temperature between 50 and 250 degrees Celsius, and the volatile species released from the heated tobacco material are collected to manufacture a liquid formulation (also known as e-cigarette liquid) for use in an electronic vaping device. Maceration methods are also known, in which tobacco material is kept in suspension in an extraction liquid for a period of up to several weeks or even months. The resulting suspension is then filtered, and the liquid phase thus collected can be used to manufacture a vaporizable liquid formulation. In one of these methods, the so-called cold maceration method, there is generally no way to control the extraction conditions (e.g., temperature and pressure). In a variant of the maceration method, described, for example, in US patent 2012 / 192880, the suspension is heated to 100 degrees Celsius or higher. The liquid phase collected after filtering the suspension, which represents the main product of a maceration process, is highly dilute and tends to have a low content of nonpolar tobacco flavor species. Additionally, the liquid phase typically contains little to no nicotine. As such, liquid extracts obtained through a maceration method generally need to be supplemented with additional ingredients, such as nicotine salts and glycerin, before being used in a vaporizable liquid formulation. Alternatively, processes are known in which tobacco material is boiled substantially in water for a period of hours or even days to form a vapor phase, and a distillate obtained by condensation of the vapor phase is continuously collected in a vessel. Over time, an oily, waxy layer containing a high proportion of nonpolar compounds accumulates on the surface of the distillate. On the other hand, the aqueous portion, on which the waxy layer accumulates and which contains nicotine and other water-soluble compounds, is recycled to the boiler. Optionally, a nonpolar cosolvent can be fed into the boiler with the aqueous portion to increase the extraction yield. The waxy phase is collected and ultimately forms the main product of one of these hydrodistillation processes. This product is frequently called tobacco essential oil and contains a high proportion of nonpolar compounds found in tobacco, such as fatty acids, neophytadiene, etc. Tobacco essential oil obtained by one of these methods typically does not contain nicotine. It is also known that subjecting tobacco material to an extraction process involves using a volatile nonpolar solvent. Examples of suitable solvents are short cyclic or acyclic alkanes, as well as chlorinated solvents such as dichloromethane.In one such process, excess solvent can be evaporated by controlled heating under vacuum. Typically, this is done in the presence of ethanol, which has a higher boiling point than the extraction solvent, so that even traces of the extraction solvent can be detected. The main product of one of these solvent-assisted extraction processes is often called tobacco absolute and may contain traces of ethanol. It is a waxy product and contains a highly concentrated mixture of most of the nonpolar compounds that can be extracted with the specific solvent, generally including nicotine, which is usually present in relatively high concentrations. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi An alternative extraction process involves contacting a tobacco material with a solvent under supercritical conditions, such as supercritical carbon dioxide. One such process is described in US patent 2013 / 160777 and is based on the principle that volatile substances within a feed material in contact with a supercritical fluid can be separated into the supercritical phase. After the dissolution of any soluble material, the supercritical fluid containing the dissolved substances can be removed, and the dissolved components of the feed material can be separated from the supercritical fluid.The main product of a supercritical extraction process is substantially similar to the tobacco absolute from a solvent-aided extraction process that is carried out at a lower temperature and pressure, contains no residual solvent, and typically has a high level of waxy, nonpolar compounds and includes nicotine, which is generally present in relatively high concentrations. However, all tobacco extracts that can be obtained by methods known in the art tend to have a very low level, if any, of compounds that are associated with the flavor of heated tobacco, such as furaneol. According to the present invention, the extraction steps for producing the liquid tobacco flavoring composition comprise heating the tobacco starting material under specific heating conditions and collecting the volatile compounds generated. Such a heating step of the natural tobacco material may comprise heating the natural tobacco material in a flow of inert gas or in a flow of a combination of an inert gas with water or steam. Alternatively, the heating step of the natural tobacco material may comprise heating the natural tobacco material under vacuum. Therefore, the liquid tobacco flavoring composition consists of the mixture of natural tobacco components that have been derived from the tobacco starting material and have been extracted or formed during the extraction process, typically in combination with one or more materials other than the tobacco starting material, such as a non-aqueous extraction solvent used during the extraction process. As will be described in more detail below, the volatile compounds released from the starting tobacco material can be collected using a condensation technique where the volatile compounds are removed from a gas stream by saturating the gas stream with them. For example, an inert gas stream containing the volatile compounds can be directed to a conventional shell-and-tube condenser, which can be water-cooled or air-cooled. Since the extraction is typically carried out at an extraction temperature of between 100 and 160 degrees Celsius, as described in more detail below, even inducing a small reduction in the temperature of the gas stream containing the volatile compounds by contacting the gas stream with ambient air may be sufficient to cause the volatile compounds to condense. As used herein, with reference to the present invention, the term “aerosol former” refers to a compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates the formation of an aerosol and is preferably substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating device or article. Examples of suitable aerosol formers include: polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerin; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as mono-, di-, or triacetate of glycerol; and aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic, or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. The method of the present invention uses an extraction temperature within a specific range in combination with a specifically defined heating time, which advantageously yields an improved liquid tobacco flavoring composition with a significantly improved balance of desirable to undesirable compounds. In particular, the extraction conditions of the method of the present invention provide a liquid tobacco flavoring composition with a maximized ratio of desirable to undesirable compounds for the tobacco starting material. For example, the use of the specific combination of temperature and extraction time as defined allows for minimizing the levels of undesirable compounds such as furans, carbonyls, phenols, and TSNA. The method of the present invention allows the production of a liquid tobacco flavoring composition that has convenient levels of tobacco-flavored compounds without the need to add such compounds after extraction. In particular, the inventors have found that, unlike existing extraction processes, such as those discussed above, the methods according to the present invention advantageously provide a liquid tobacco flavoring composition with a significantly higher content of compounds associated with the flavor of heated tobacco, such as furaneol. These compounds are substantially absent, or present in trace amounts, in a liquid tobacco flavoring composition obtained by a maceration process, which also typically contains little or no nicotine. These compounds are also generally absent or present in trace amounts in a liquid tobacco flavoring composition obtained using a solvent, including under supercritical conditions.Similarly, a tobacco essential oil obtained through distillation typically has a very low, if any, content of compounds associated with the flavor of heated tobacco. According to the method of the present invention, the liquid tobacco flavoring composition obtained through the extraction steps is combined with a base material to form flavored tobacco particles that advantageously have a significantly improved balance of desirable to undesirable compounds. As discussed above, the liquid tobacco flavoring compositions obtained and used in a method according to the invention exhibit significant compositional differences compared to tobacco extracts or liquid tobacco flavoring compositions obtained by existing extraction processes. As such, they can be combined with a base material to form flavored tobacco particles that have a distinct composition and flavor characteristics compared to currently available flavored tobacco particles.In particular, the liquid tobacco flavoring compositions obtained and used in a method according to the invention can be used to provide flavored tobacco particles that provide a tobacco flavor that more closely resembles the aerosol flavor generated by conventional cigarettes or by heating tobacco in a non-combustion heating device with respect to flavored tobacco particles produced from existing liquid tobacco flavoring compositions. The method of producing a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation of the present invention can be used effectively with all types and qualities of tobacco as starting material, including Burley tobacco, artificial atmosphere cured tobacco, and Oriental tobacco. The extraction steps of the method can be easily adjusted to provide a consistent liquid tobacco flavoring composition for a variety of tobacco blends. The method is also suitable for a variety of tobacco starting material forms. In many cases, the tobacco starting material can be heated without significant pretreatment steps. Therefore, the method can be carried out efficiently. The method can be advantageously implemented using existing apparatus and techniques, which can be easily modified to perform the steps of the method of the present invention. In a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the invention, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is greater than 0.25. This can be achieved, for example, by combining a base material with a tobacco flavoring composition having a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) greater than 0.25. Such a ratio is higher when the amount of suitable flavoring compounds β-ionone and β-damascenone is greater, or when the amount of phenol is lower. Preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is greater than 0.5. More preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is greater than 1. Even more preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is greater than 1.5. Most preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is greater than 2. In tobacco-flavored dry powder formulations according to the present invention, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is preferably less than or equal to approximately 10. More preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is less than or equal to 5. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is approximately 0.25 to approximately 10, with a higher preference of approximately 0.5 to approximately 10, even with a higher preference of approximately 1 to approximately 10, particularly preferentially from approximately 1.5 to approximately 10, with the maximum preference of approximately 2 to approximately 10. In other embodiments, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is approximately 0.25 to approximately 5, with a higher preference of approximately 0.5 to approximately 5, even with a higher preference of approximately 1 to approximately 5, particularly preferentially from approximately 1.5 to approximately 5, with the maximum preference of approximately 2 to approximately 5. Particles having a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the ranges described above can be obtained by combining a base material with a tobacco flavoring composition, wherein a weight ratio of ((β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) falls within the ranges described above. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi In a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the invention, a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabin + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) may be greater than 0.2. Preferably, a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabin + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) is at least approximately 0.5. The above relationship is greater when the amount of convenient flavoring compounds β-ionone and β-damascenone is greater, or when the amount of TSNA and 2-furanemethanol is lower. More preferably, in a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-Nnitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) is greater than 1. In preferred embodiments, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-Nnitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) is greater than 1.5. By way of example, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) can be from approximately 1 to approximately 10 or from approximately 1.5 to approximately 6. Particularly, in preferred embodiments, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) is from approximately 2 to approximately 4. Particles having a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) in the ranges described above can be obtained by combining a base material with a tobacco flavoring composition where a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) falls in the ranges described above. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi The particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention may further comprise other convenient compounds derived directly from natural tobacco, many of which are flavorings. By way of example, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation may comprise one or more of furaneol, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, acetic acid, vanillin, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-phenylethanol, eugenol, and sotolone. The particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the invention comprise β-ionone. The tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation may comprise at least 0.100 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, preferably at least 0.200 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, more preferably at least 0.300 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, and most preferably at least 0.400 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In preferred embodiments, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprises at least 0.500 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, most preferably at least 0.600 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, even with greater preference at least 0.700 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco flavoring composition, with the highest preference at least 0.800 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In particularly preferred embodiments, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprises at least 0.9 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, preferably at least 100 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, more preferably at least 1.10 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, even more preferably at least 1.20 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, with the highest preference at least 1.30 micrograms of β-ionone per gram of tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. The weight ratio of (β-ionone) to (phenol) in a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention can be at least approximately 0.150, for example at least approximately 0.200, preferably at least approximately n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi 0.400, with higher preference at least approximately 0.600, with the highest preference at least approximately 0.800, such as at least approximately 1.200. Particles having a weight ratio of (β-ionone) to (phenol) in the ranges described above can be obtained by combining a base material with a tobacco flavoring composition where the weight ratio of (β-ionone) to (phenol) falls within the ranges described above. The weight ratio of (β-ionone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-Nnitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600) in a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention may be at least approximately 0.300, for example at least approximately 0.500, preferably at least approximately 0.750, more preferably at least approximately 100, most preferably at least approximately 1.20, such as at least approximately 1.80. Particles having a weight ratio of (β-ionone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)1-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethane) / 600) in the ranges described above can be obtained by combining a base material with a tobacco flavoring composition where a weight ratio of (β-ionone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600) falls in the ranges described above. The particles of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprise β-damascenone. The tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation may comprise at least 0.100 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, preferably at least 0.350 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, more preferably at least 0.600 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, with the highest preference at least 0.850 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In preferred embodiments, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprises at least 1.10 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, with the highest preference at least 1.35 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, even with greater preference at least 1.60 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, with the highest preference at least 1.85 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In particularly preferred embodiments, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprises at least 2.10 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, preferably at least 2.35 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, more preferably at least 2.60 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, even more preferably at least 2.75 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, with a maximum preference of at least 2.90 micrograms of β-damascenone per gram of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In some embodiments, the tobacco flavoring composition that is combined with the base material to form the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the invention may comprise a non-aqueous solvent. This may be the case, for example, if a non-aqueous solvent has been used during the extraction steps to collect the volatile compounds released upon heating the tobacco starting material. The non-aqueous solvent may be an aerosol former. Therefore, a tobacco-flavored powder formulation according to the present invention may comprise a non-aqueous solvent, preferably a non-aqueous solvent that is an aerosol former. In these forms, the non-aqueous solvent can be one or more of glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, and 1,3-propanediol. In preferred embodiments, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprises less than 5 percent by weight of a non-aqueous solvent. More preferably, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprises less than 3 percent by weight of a non-aqueous solvent. Even more preferably, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprises less than 1 percent by weight of a non-aqueous solvent. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation contains substantially no non-aqueous solvent. In some embodiments, the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation may further comprise one or more water-soluble organic acids. As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “water-soluble organic acid” describes an organic acid having a solubility in water at 20 degrees Celsius greater than or equal to approximately 500 mg / ml. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi Without intending to impose any theory, it is understood that a certain amount of a water-soluble organic acid can be extracted from the starting tobacco material and end up in the flavoring composition, which is then combined with the base material to form the flavoring powder particles. In some formulations, the water-soluble organic acid is acetic acid. Typically, the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention may comprise at least approximately 0.001 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. The particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention preferably comprise less than or equal to approximately 5 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. More preferably, the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention preferably comprise less than or equal to approximately 3 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In preferred embodiments, the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention comprise less than or equal to approximately 3 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, more preferably less than or equal to approximately 2.5 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, even more preferably less than or equal to approximately 2 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In particularly preferred embodiments, the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention comprise less than or equal to approximately 1.5 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, more preferably less than or equal to approximately 1 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, even more preferably less than or equal to approximately 0.5 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In some embodiments, the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention comprise at least approximately 0.01 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, or at least approximately 0.02 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation, or at least approximately 0.05 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. By way of example, the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention comprise at least approximately 0.06 percent by weight, or 0.07 percent by weight, or 0.08 percent by weight, or 0.09 percent by weight, or 0.1 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In some embodiments, the liquid tobacco flavoring composition may undergo an additional extraction step, such as a liquid-liquid extraction process, to selectively remove nicotine or other alkaloids, or both, from the liquid tobacco flavoring composition (denicotinization). This can advantageously allow control of the nicotine level in the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation according to the present invention, such that the particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprise less than approximately 1 percent by weight of nicotine based on the weight of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. The processes and conditions for achieving the denicotinization of a liquid tobacco extract are known to the art. In other forms, the tobacco starting material may undergo a preliminary denicotinization process. Tobacco denicotinization is a well-known process and has been described in US documents 200855 A and US 3110315 A. In additional embodiments, the tobacco starting material may be one that has a low nicotine content. Examples of low-nicotine tobacco starting material have been described in documents US 2017 / 0166913, US 2017 / 0145432, and AU 2015 / 202209. Preferably, the weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is at least approximately 5 x 10⁴. More preferably, the weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is at least approximately 8 x 10⁴. Even more preferentially, a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is at least approximately 1 x 10'3. Preferably, a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is less than or equal to approximately 9 x 10'3. More preferably, a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5 methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is less than or equal to approximately 5 x 10'3. In some forms, the weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is approximately 5 x 10'4 to approximately 9 x 10'3. More preferably, the weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is approximately 8 x 10'4 to approximately 9 x 10'3. Even more preferably, the weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is approximately 1 x 10'3 to approximately 9 x 10'3. In other embodiments, a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is approximately 5 x 10'4 to approximately 5 x 10'-3. More preferably, a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is approximately 8 x 10'4 to approximately 5 x 10'3. Even more preferably, a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is approximately 1 x 10'-3 to approximately 5 x 10'3.Particles having a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the ranges described above can be obtained by combining a base material with a tobacco flavoring composition where a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) falls within the ranges described above. A tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation as described above can be produced by a method comprising a first step of preparing a tobacco starting material. Preferably, the tobacco starting material is a natural tobacco material. As will be explained in detail below, by controlling the combination of temperature and extraction time, the liquid tobacco flavoring composition can be adjusted depending on the desired characteristics of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. In particular, the proportion of specific tobacco compounds within the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation can be adjusted to a certain degree by selecting extraction parameters to maximize the ratio of desirable to undesirable tobacco compounds (LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi) within the liquid tobacco flavoring composition obtained from the extraction stages of the method. The method comprises a second stage of heating the tobacco starting material to an extraction temperature between 100 and 160 degrees Celsius for at least 90 minutes. It has been found that below this range, insufficient levels of certain flavor compounds are released from the tobacco starting material, resulting in a liquid tobacco extract lacking the desired flavor characteristics. Conversely, if the tobacco starting material is heated to a temperature above this defined range, unacceptably high levels of certain undesirable tobacco compounds may be released. In general, when natural tobacco material is heated, any moisture present is also released along with the volatile species in vapor form. Preferably, the extraction temperature is at least approximately 110 degrees Celsius, with greater preference at least approximately 115 degrees Celsius, with greater preference at least approximately 120 degrees Celsius, with greater preference at least approximately 125 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the extraction temperature is less than or equal to approximately 150 degrees Celsius, with greater preference less than or equal to approximately 145 degrees Celsius, with greater preference less than or equal to approximately 140 degrees Celsius, with maximum preference less than or equal to approximately 135 degrees Celsius. For example, the extraction temperature can be between approximately 110 and 150 degrees Celsius, or between approximately 120 and 140 degrees Celsius, or between approximately 125 and 135 degrees Celsius, or approximately 130 degrees Celsius. An extraction temperature of around 130 degrees Celsius has been found to provide a particularly optimized ratio of desirable to undesirable compounds in the liquid tobacco flavoring composition. The extraction temperature can be between approximately 110 degrees Celsius and approximately 130 degrees Celsius, or between approximately 115 degrees Celsius and approximately 125 degrees Celsius, or approximately 120 degrees Celsius. The extraction temperature can be between approximately 125 degrees Celsius and approximately 155 degrees Celsius, with greater preference between approximately 135 degrees Celsius and approximately 145 degrees Celsius, or approximately 140 degrees Celsius. The tobacco starting material is heated to the extraction temperature for at least approximately 30 minutes, or at least 60 minutes, or at least approximately 90 minutes, with the most preferable being at least approximately 120 minutes. This extraction time is long enough to efficiently extract the desired tobacco flavoring compounds, providing a liquid tobacco flavoring composition that can be combined with a base material to produce a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation with the desired flavor characteristics. Preferably, the tobacco starting material is heated to the extraction temperature for no more than approximately 270 minutes, more preferably no more than approximately 180 minutes. For example, the starting material of tobacco can be heated for between approximately 90 minutes and approximately 270 minutes, or between approximately 120 minutes and approximately 180 minutes. The heating time indicated above corresponds to the period of time during which the tobacco starting material is heated to the extraction temperature and does not include the time required to raise the temperature of the tobacco starting material to the extraction temperature. The extraction temperature and heating time can be selected within the ranges defined above, depending on factors such as the type of tobacco, other possible components of the tobacco starting material, and the desired composition of the liquid tobacco extract. Optionally, the extraction temperature and heating time can also be selected within the ranges defined above, depending on the desired nicotine level in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation. For a specific tobacco compound, the variation in the level of release of the compound with the extraction temperature during the extraction process can be easily determined for any given starting tobacco material. As an example, it has been found that the level of desirable tobacco flavoring compounds, such as β-damascenone and β-ionone, released from a tobacco material will increase with increasing extraction temperature up to a certain maximum extraction temperature, after which the level will begin to decrease. The maximum extraction temperature for such flavoring compounds is typically within the range of 100°C to 160°C, so the level of desirable flavoring compounds can be effectively optimized in the extraction method of the present invention. It has been found that the levels of many undesirable tobacco compounds increase slowly as the extraction temperature is raised up to a threshold temperature, beyond which a rapid increase is observed. This applies, for example, to the levels of phenolic compounds, TSNA, and pyrazines, and in the case of Bright tobaccos, to the levels of furans and formaldehyde. In many cases, the threshold temperature is within the range of 100°C to 160°C, and therefore the levels of undesirable compounds can be effectively controlled by adjusting the extraction conditions in the manufacturing method of the present invention. In some forms, the extraction temperature is selected to provide a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco flavoring composition of at least approximately 0.25. Preferably, the extraction temperature or extraction time, or both, are selected to provide a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) of at least approximately 0.5, even more preferably at least approximately 1, with the highest preference at least approximately 1.5 in the liquid tobacco flavoring composition. More preferably, the extraction temperature or extraction time, or both, are selected to provide a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) of at least approximately 2, and the highest preference for such a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is approximately 2 to approximately 10 or approximately 2 to approximately 5 in the liquid tobacco flavoring composition.β-Damascenone and β-ionone are desirable compounds associated with tobacco flavor. It has also been found that the amount of β-damascenone and β-ionone released from tobacco material increases with increasing extraction temperature up to a certain maximum extraction temperature, after which the level begins to decrease. The maximum extraction temperature for such flavoring compounds is typically within the range of 100°C to 160°C, so the level of these desirable flavoring compounds in the dry powder formulation can be optimized and effectively controlled during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the extraction temperature or extraction time or both the extraction temperature and extraction time are selected to provide a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabin + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition of at least approximately 1.5. This ratio is higher when the amount of convenient flavoring compounds β-ionone and β-damascenone is greater, or when the amount of TSNA and 2-furanomethanol is lower. The weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-lbutanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2furanemethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition may be at least approximately 0.2, such as at least approximately 0.5. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is at least approximately 1. Preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is at least approximately 1.5. Preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-Nnitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is at least approximately 2.Even more preferentially, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is at least approximately 2.5. Preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabin + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is less than or equal to approximately 10. More preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabin + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the flavoring composition of tobacco is less than or equal to approximately 6. Even more preferentially, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)N-nitrosoanatabin + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is less than or equal to approximately 4. In preferred embodiments, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco-flavored composition is approximately 1.5 to approximately 10, with a higher preference of approximately 2 to approximately 10, and even higher still of approximately 2.5 to approximately 10. In other embodiments, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is approximately 1.5 to approximately 6, with greater preference from approximately 2 to approximately 6, even with greater preference from approximately 2.5 to approximately 6.In additional modalities, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + βdamascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition is approximately 1.5 to approximately 4, with a greater preference of approximately 2 to approximately 4, and even more so of approximately 2.5 to about 4. Preferably, the extraction temperature or extraction time, or both, are selected to provide a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) of at least approximately 5 x 10⁴ in the tobacco flavoring composition. More preferably, the extraction temperature or extraction time, or both, are selected to provide a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) of at least approximately 8 x 10⁴, or even more preferably at least approximately 1 x 10⁳ in the tobacco flavoring composition.The extraction temperature or extraction time, or both, is preferably selected to provide a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) less than or equal to approximately 9 x 10⁻³, with greater preference being less than or equal to approximately 5 x 10⁻³ in the tobacco flavoring composition. In some preferred embodiments, the extraction temperature or extraction time, or both, is selected to provide a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100) to (nicotine) of approximately 8 x 10⁻⁴ to approximately 9 x 10⁻³, or approximately 8 x 10⁻⁴ to approximately 5 x 10⁻³, or approximately 1 x 10⁻³ to approximately 9 x 10'3o of approximately 1 x 10'3 to approximately 5 x 10'3 in the tobacco flavoring composition.Preferably, the heating step is carried out in an inert atmosphere. Preferably, a flow of an inert gas, such as nitrogen, is passed through the tobacco starting material during the heating step. Alternatively, the inert gas can be used in combination with water or steam. The volatile tobacco compounds are released into the inert gas flow or into the inert gas and water or steam flow during the heating step, such that the inert gas acts as a carrier for the volatile components. The inert gas flow helps to expel the vapor generated by the evaporation of moisture content from the natural tobacco material and volatile species - which include, in particular, nicotine or compounds associated with flavor or both - out of the extraction equipment. Furthermore, the use of an inert gas flow, such as nitrogen, under slight overpressure in the extraction equipment has the advantage of preventing the presence of oxygen within the equipment. This can also be achieved by heating the natural tobacco material under vacuum. This benefit is advantageous because it avoids the risk of any combustion, even partial, of the natural tobacco material during the heating stage. Uncontrolled combustion of the natural tobacco material would clearly be undesirable, as it would pose a significant safety risk in the manufacturing environment. However, the inventors have found that even limited partial combustion of the natural tobacco material can lead to a decrease in the quality of the tobacco extract obtainable by the method, which would be a disadvantage. Without adhering to any specific theory, it is understood that by preventing the combustion of the natural tobacco material, the formation of any undesirable combustion byproducts is also avoided. Furthermore, because the conditions that would favor combustion of the natural tobacco material are avoided, the natural tobacco material is effectively heated under conditions that, to some extent, mimic those typically used for heating a tobacco-containing substrate (e.g., homogenized tobacco material) in "unburned heat" articles. As a result, the selective extraction of the volatile flavor-carrying species responsible for the taste that consumers associate with heated tobacco is advantageously facilitated. Therefore, by carrying out the heating stage in an inert atmosphere, the extraction efficiency, product quality and manufacturing safety are advantageously improved. The inert gas flow rate can be optimized based on the scale and geometry of the extraction chamber. A relatively high inert gas flow rate can further improve the extraction efficiency of the tobacco starting material. Adding water or steam to tobacco during extraction has been found to increase the yield of extracted components. However, excessive addition of water or steam can lead to processing difficulties such as stickiness of the tobacco material. Optionally, the heating stage can be carried out under vacuum. Experts in the technique will know suitable heating methods for carrying out the heating of tobacco starting material and include, but are not limited to: dry distillation, hydrodistillation, vacuum distillation, flash distillation and thin film hydrodistillation. The liquid tobacco flavoring composition can be prepared from a tobacco starting material consisting of a single type of natural tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco starting material can comprise a mixture of two or more types of natural tobacco. The ratio of the different tobacco types can be adjusted depending on the desired flavor characteristics of the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation to be manufactured from the liquid tobacco flavoring composition. For example, when a relatively high nicotine level is desired, the proportion of Burley tobacco can be increased. When it is desired to produce a liquid tobacco flavoring composition from a combination of two or more different types of tobacco, the tobacco types can be heated separately at different extraction temperatures within the defined range of 100 degrees Celsius to 160 degrees Celsius, or a mixture of the tobacco types can be heated together at a single extraction temperature within the range. The tobacco starting material may be a solid tobacco material, such as powder, leaf pieces or fragments, or an intact leaf. Alternatively, the tobacco starting material may be a liquid tobacco material, such as a paste, gel, slurry, or suspension. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi The starting tobacco material may be derived from any suitable tobacco material, including, but not limited to, tobacco leaf, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco, strained tobacco, extruded tobacco, or tobacco-derived granules. Preferably, during the preparation stage of the tobacco starting material, the tobacco is ground or cut to reduce the size of the tobacco particles within the starting material. This can advantageously improve the uniformity of heating the starting material and the efficiency of the extraction. Optionally, the tobacco starting material can be dried before the heating stage to decrease its moisture content. Drying can be carried out using any suitable chemical or physical drying process. Alternatively, water can be added to the tobacco starting material before the heating stage to increase its moisture content. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the step of preparing the tobacco starting material may include the step of impregnating the tobacco starting material with an aerosol former. When this impregnation of the tobacco starting material is carried out before the heating step, it can advantageously increase the amount of certain desirable tobacco compounds released from the tobacco starting material upon heating. For example, impregnation of the tobacco starting material with glycerin has been found to advantageously increase the amount of nicotine extracted from the tobacco starting material. In another example, impregnation of the tobacco starting material with a polar aerosol former, such as a mixture of polyethylene glycol and vegetable glycerin or triacetin, has been found to advantageously increase the amount of flavoring compounds extracted from the tobacco starting material. Optionally, the tobacco starting material can be enzymatically digested before the heating stage. This has been found to significantly increase the yield of certain flavor compounds from the tobacco starting material. The starting tobacco material can optionally be analyzed before the heating stage to determine its composition, for example, the content of reducing sugars and alkaloids. This compositional information can be usefully used to select an appropriate extraction temperature. Preferably, during the preparation stage of the natural tobacco material, the tobacco is not subjected to any treatment designed to alter its pH. In particular, during the preparation stage of the natural tobacco material, the tobacco is not subjected to any treatment designed to significantly increase its pH. For example, the natural tobacco material is not brought into contact with an aqueous solution containing a salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal. Advantageously, maintaining the tobacco material in a less modified state has been found to provide a more authentic or natural flavor profile that may be appreciated by a consumer.Furthermore, the inventors have found that subjecting the natural tobacco material to a treatment designed to increase its pH, such as an alkaline treatment, before heating the tobacco material as part of the extraction process leads to lower levels of desirable heated tobacco flavoring compounds in the liquid tobacco extract. For example, it has been found that not subjecting the natural tobacco material to an alkaline treatment is associated with a significant increase in the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the liquid tobacco extract compared to an equivalent alkali-treated natural tobacco material. During the heating of the tobacco starting material, the volatile compounds released from the tobacco starting material are collected using any suitable technique. When the tobacco starting material is heated in an inert gas stream, as described above, the volatile compounds are collected from the inert gas stream. A person skilled in the art will be familiar with various collection methods. In view of the collection stage, heating the natural tobacco material in an inert gas stream, or a stream comprising an inert gas and water, has the added benefit that the inert gas stream containing the volatile compounds can be more easily directed to a vessel containing an extraction solvent, such as a non-aqueous liquid extraction solvent. Preferably, the collection stage of volatile compounds is carried out using a condensation technique in which the volatile compounds are condensed and the condensate is collected. In some forms, the condensate obtained is added to a liquid aerosol former, preferably propylene glycol (PG). The addition of a liquid aerosol former, and particularly the addition of PG, can advantageously prevent the condensed volatile compounds from separating into two phases or forming an emulsion, as some tobacco constituents tend to do. Without adhering to any specific theory, the inventors have observed that the solubility of tobacco constituents in the hydrosol (i.e., the aqueous fraction of the liquid, naturally sourced tobacco extract) depends primarily on their polarity, concentration, and the pH of the hydrosol, which can vary depending on the type of tobacco. As a result, an oily layer tends to form on the surface of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition if the amount of aerosol former is insufficient. This oily material can accumulate in various locations within the equipment used to carry out the extraction process.The addition of a liquid aerosol former, such as PG, helps prevent the formation of this layer and promotes the homogenization of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition. Furthermore, the liquid aerosol former advantageously helps to trap flavor compounds regardless of their polarity and volatility. Using PG as an aerosol former for the condensation and collection stage has the added benefit that, by reducing the water activity of aqueous solutions, PG exerts antimicrobial activity. By adjusting the PG content in the liquid tobacco flavoring composition, it is also possible to ensure that the composition does not experience substantial microbial activity. A condensation technique removes volatile compounds from a gas stream by saturating the volatile compounds in the gas stream. Condensation, refrigeration, and cryogenic systems are generally used with gas streams containing only volatile organic compounds. Saturation (dew point temperature) occurs when the partial pressure of the volatile compound equals its vapor pressure. Once saturation is reached, condensation separation occurs either by increasing the system pressure at constant temperature (known as compression condensation) or by lowering the temperature at constant temperature (known as refrigerated condensation). Preferably, in methods according to the present invention, the collection of volatile compounds is carried out using a refrigerated condensation technique. This can be achieved either by direct contact between the gas stream containing the volatile compounds and a refrigerant liquid. Alternatively, this can be achieved by indirect contact through a heat exchanger between the gas stream containing the volatile compounds and a refrigerant medium. For direct contact applications, a cryogenic gas such as liquid nitrogen can be injected into the gas stream. Indirect cooling condensation may be preferred since direct cooling condensation may require an additional separation step. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi By way of example, in the methods according to the present invention, the condensation of the volatile compounds can be carried out by using any suitable apparatus, for example, in a refrigerated column. However, since the extraction process is typically carried out at temperatures of approximately 130 degrees Celsius to approximately 160 degrees Celsius, a gentle cooling of the gas stream with room temperature air is generally sufficient to cause condensation of the volatile compounds being extracted. In an alternative approach, the collection stage for volatile compounds can use an absorption technique in which the volatile compounds are trapped in a liquid solvent. For example, an inert gas stream containing the volatile compounds can be directed into a container of a liquid solvent. The liquid solvent can be an aerosol former such as triacetin, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the liquid solvent is maintained at a temperature below 0 degrees Celsius to optimize the transfer of the volatile compounds within the liquid solvent. Alternatively, the collection of volatile compounds can be carried out using an adsorption technique in which the volatile compounds are adsorbed onto the surface of a solid adsorbent material, such as activated carbon. The adsorbed compounds can then be transferred to a liquid solvent. In the method of the present invention, the next step is the formation of a liquid tobacco-flavoring composition from the collected volatile compounds. The nature of this step may depend on the collection method. The “collected volatile compounds” may be in the form of a solution of the volatile compounds derived from tobacco in a liquid solvent or carrier. When volatile compounds are collected by condensation, the stage of forming the liquid tobacco flavoring composition may involve adding the condensate to a liquid solvent, such as an aerosol former. Alternatively, when volatile compounds are collected by absorption in a liquid solvent, as described above, the step in forming the liquid tobacco flavoring composition preferably comprises drying the solution of volatile compounds in the liquid solvent to concentrate the solution. This can be carried out, for example, to achieve a desired concentration of flavoring compounds. Drying can be carried out using any suitable means, including, but not limited to, desiccation, molecular sieving, freeze-drying, phase separation, distillation, membrane filtration, controlled crystallization of water and filtrate, reverse hygroscopicity, ultracentrifugation, liquid chromatography, reverse osmosis, or chemical drying. In preferred embodiments, the solution of the volatile compounds in a liquid solvent is concentrated by drying. Optionally, the stage of forming the liquid tobacco flavoring composition includes a filtration stage. Optionally, the stage of forming the liquid tobacco flavoring composition comprises a mixing stage in which the extracts derived from different tobacco starting materials are combined. Optionally, the formation stage of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition involves adding one or more additives, such as an organic acid, to the solution of volatile compounds. However, in many cases, the liquid tobacco flavoring composition is suitable for use without the addition of additives. In the methods according to the present invention, the tobacco flavoring composition is combined with a base material to form the plurality of particles of the dry tobacco-flavored formulation. The base material may comprise one or more of a gum, such as gum arabic, guar seed meal, locust bean meal, khataya, ghatti, tragacanth, or xanthan gum; a starch, a hydrolyzed starch such as maltodextrins and corn syrup solids or glucose syrups, a chemically modified starch, or carboxymethylcellulose; or a sugar, such as a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or polysaccharide. Examples of suitable sugars include, but are not limited to, lactose, sucrose, raffinose, trehalose, fructose, dextrose, glucose, maltose, mannitol, or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred sugars include trehalose or mannitol. Monosaccharides and disaccharides such as sucrose, lactose, and glucose, or sugar alcohols like sorbitol, can be used in mixtures with chemically modified starch or gum arabic to impart improved stability against oxidation of the tobacco extract. Hydrolyzed starches have marginal retention of lipophilic volatiles but are very suitable as carriers of hydrophilic volatiles. Emulsifying starches have better lipophilic properties and provide emulsifying properties and excellent volatile retention during spray drying, but little protection of the tobacco extract flavoring from oxidation. Gum arabic is an excellent encapsulating material, a very good emulsifier, and provides good volatile retention during the drying process of manufactured tobacco-flavored powders.Particularly preferred are base materials with good encapsulation properties such as maltodextrin and cyclomaltodextrin. In one embodiment, the stage of combining the base material and the tobacco flavoring composition to form tobacco-flavored particles comprises a first stage of forming a mixture of the base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition; a second stage of freezing the mixture; a third stage of drying the frozen mixture; and a fourth stage of grinding the dried mixture to form the flavored tobacco particles. In another embodiment, the step of combining the base material and the tobacco flavoring composition to form flavored tobacco particles comprises forming a mixture of the base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition and spray drying the mixture to form flavored tobacco particles. Particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation as described above may be used in a powder system comprising an additional plurality of particles. In some embodiments, a powder system according to the present invention may comprise a first plurality of particles as described above, or obtained by a method as described above, or both, having a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers, in combination with a second plurality of particles comprising nicotine and having a particle size of approximately 10 micrometers or less. Without intending to impose any theory, it is understood that the larger particles that have a tobacco flavor are adapted to be deposited in the consumer's mouth, while the smaller particles that contain nicotine are adapted to reach the consumer's lungs when inhaled. In preferred embodiments, the particles of the second plurality of particles comprise nicotine, a sugar, or an amino acid, or both. Preferably, the particles of the second plurality of particles comprise nicotine, a sugar, and an amino acid. The term “amino acid” is used herein with reference to the present invention to describe a single amino acid fraction, modified or unmodified, preferably unmodified. In another embodiment, a powder system according to the present invention comprises a first plurality of flavored tobacco particles having a particle size of less than approximately 20 micrometers and a second plurality of particles having a particle size less than approximately 20 micrometers, wherein a first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the flavored tobacco particles of the first plurality is greater than 0.25. Preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco-flavored particles of the first plurality is greater than 0.5. Preferably, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) in the flavored tobacco particles of the first plurality is greater than 1.5. In addition, the flavored tobacco particles of the first plurality may comprise one or more of furaneol, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, acetic acid, vanillin, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-phenylethanol, eugenol, and sotolone. A powder system according to the present invention may comprise at least approximately 5 percent by weight of the first particles. Preferably, the powder system comprises at least approximately 10 percent by weight of the first particles. More preferably, the powder system comprises at least approximately 15 percent by weight of the first particles. The powder system may comprise less than or equal to approximately 50 percent by weight of the first particles. Preferably, the powder system comprises less than or equal to approximately 45 percent by weight of the first particles. More preferably, the powder system comprises less than or equal to approximately 25 percent by weight of the first particles. In some embodiments, the powder system comprises from approximately 5 percent by weight to approximately 50 percent by weight of the first particles, with a higher preference of approximately 10 percent by weight to approximately 50 percent by weight, and even more preferably of approximately 15 percent by weight to approximately 50 percent by weight of the first particles. In other embodiments, the powder system comprises from approximately 5 percent by weight to approximately 45 percent by weight of the first particles, with a higher preference of approximately 10 percent by weight to approximately 45 percent by weight, and even more preferably of approximately 15 percent by weight to approximately 45 percent by weight of the first particles.In additional modalities, the powder system comprises from approximately 5 percent by weight to approximately 25 percent by weight of the first particles, with greater preference from approximately 10 percent by weight to approximately 25 percent by weight, and even more preferentially from approximately 15 percent by weight to approximately 25 percent by weight of the first particles. The powder system may comprise at least approximately 50 percent by weight of the second particles. Preferably, the powder system comprises at least approximately 65 percent by weight of the second particles. More preferably, the powder system comprises at least approximately 75 percent by weight of the second particles. The powder system may comprise less than or equal to approximately 95 percent by weight of the second particles. Preferably, the powder system comprises less than or equal to approximately 90 percent by weight of the second particles. More preferably, the powder system comprises less than or equal to approximately 85 percent by weight of the second particles. In some embodiments, the powder system comprises approximately 50 percent to approximately 95 percent by weight of the second particles, with a greater preference for approximately 65 percent to approximately 95 percent by weight, and even more preferably for approximately 75 percent to approximately 95 percent by weight of the second particles. In other embodiments, the powder system comprises approximately 50 percent to approximately 90 percent by weight of the second particles, with a greater preference for approximately 65 percent to approximately 90 percent by weight, and even more preferably for approximately 75 percent to approximately 90 percent by weight of the second particles.In additional modalities, the powder system comprises from approximately 50 percent by weight to approximately 85 percent by weight of the second particles, with greater preference from approximately 65 percent by weight to approximately 85 percent by weight, and even more preferentially from approximately 75 percent by weight to approximately 85 percent by weight of the second particles. In a powder system according to the present invention, a weight ratio of the second plurality of particles to the first plurality of particles can be at least approximately 1:1, preferably at least 2:1, more preferably approximately 3:1. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi In a powder system according to the present invention, a weight ratio of the second plurality of particles to the first plurality of particles may be less than or equal to approximately 10:1, preferably less than or equal to 8:1, more preferably less than or equal to 6:1, even more preferably less than or equal to 5:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the second plurality of particles to the first plurality of particles is preferably from approximately 1:1 to approximately 8:1, with a greater preference of approximately 2:1 to approximately 8:1, and even more preferentially from approximately 3:1 to approximately 8:1. In other embodiments, the weight ratio of the second plurality of particles to the first plurality of particles is preferably from approximately 1:1 to approximately 6:1, with a greater preference of approximately 2:1 to approximately 6:1, and even more preferentially from approximately 3:1 to approximately 6:1. In further embodiments, the weight ratio of the second plurality of particles to the first plurality of particles is preferably from approximately 1:1 to approximately 5:1, with a greater preference of approximately 2:1 to approximately 5:1, and even more preferentially from approximately 3:1 to approximately 5:1.As an example, a weight ratio of the second plurality of particles to the first plurality of particles can be approximately 4:1. Preferably, the first plurality of particles and the second plurality of particles make up at least approximately 90 percent by weight, or at least approximately 95 percent by weight, or at least approximately 99 percent by weight, or 100 percent by weight of the total weight of the powder system. The first plurality of particles may have a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers, preferably at least approximately 50 micrometers, more preferably at least approximately 75 micrometers, and even more preferably at least approximately 100 micrometers. The first plurality of particles preferably has a particle size less than or equal to approximately 200 micrometers. More preferably, the first plurality of particles has a particle size less than or equal to approximately 150 micrometers. The first plurality of particles preferably has a particle size of approximately 20 micrometers to approximately 200 micrometers, with a greater preference of approximately 50 micrometers to approximately 200 micrometers, and even more preferably of approximately 75 micrometers to approximately 200 micrometers. In other embodiments, the first plurality of particles has a particle size of approximately 20 micrometers to approximately 150 micrometers, with a greater preference of approximately 50 micrometers to approximately 150 micrometers, and even more preferably of approximately 75 micrometers to approximately 150 micrometers. The second plurality of particles can have a particle size less than or equal to approximately 10 micrometers, preferably less than or equal to approximately 5 micrometers, more preferably less than or equal to approximately 3 micrometers. As briefly described above, the particles of the second plurality of particles preferably comprise nicotine, a sugar, and an amino acid. The amino acid can reduce the adhesion forces between the particles and mitigate or prevent particle agglomeration during formation or subsequent handling. The second plurality of particles can form a free-flowing material and can have a relatively stable particle size distribution during processing, transport, and storage. Useful amino acids may include leucine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, or a combination thereof. A preferred amino acid is leucine or a leucine isomer, such as L-leucine. An example of a preferred peptide is trileucine. The particle may include a sugar. "Sugar" refers to simple sugars, monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Without limitation, suitable examples of sugars include lactose, sucrose, raffinose, trehalose, fructose, dextrose, glucose, maltose, mannitol, or combinations thereof. Preferred sugars include trehalose or mannitol. The second plurality of particles may contain less than or equal to approximately 30 percent by weight of nicotine. Preferably, the second plurality of particles contains less than or equal to approximately 10 percent by weight of nicotine. More preferably, the second plurality of particles contains less than or equal to approximately 7 percent by weight of nicotine. Even more preferably, the second plurality of particles contains less than or equal to approximately 6 percent by weight of nicotine. The second plurality of particles preferably contains at least approximately 1 percent by weight of nicotine. More preferably, the second plurality of particles contains at least approximately 2 percent by weight of nicotine. Even more preferably, the second plurality of particles contains at least approximately 3 percent by weight of nicotine. Most preferably, the second plurality of particles contains at least approximately 4 percent by weight of nicotine. n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi In some embodiments, the second plurality of particles comprises from approximately 1 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 10 percent by weight of nicotine, preferably from approximately 2 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 10 percent by weight of nicotine, more preferably from approximately 3 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 10 percent by weight of nicotine, even more preferably from approximately 4 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 10 percent by weight of nicotine. In other embodiments, the second plurality of particles comprises from approximately 1 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 30 percent by weight of nicotine, preferably from approximately 2 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 25 percent by weight of nicotine, more preferably from approximately 3 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 20 percent by weight of nicotine, even more preferably from approximately 4 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 15 percent by weight of nicotine. In other embodiments, the second plurality of particles comprises from approximately 1 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 7 percent by weight of nicotine, preferably from approximately 2 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 7 percent by weight of nicotine, more preferably from approximately 3 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 7 percent by weight of nicotine, even more preferably from approximately 4 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 7 percent by weight of nicotine. In additional embodiments, the second plurality of particles comprises from approximately 1 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 6 percent by weight of nicotine, preferably from approximately 2 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 6 percent by weight of nicotine, more preferably from approximately 3 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 6 percent by weight of nicotine, even more preferably from approximately 4 percent by weight of nicotine to approximately 6 percent by weight of nicotine. The nicotine in nicotine particles can be a pharmaceutically acceptable freebase nicotine, a nicotine salt, or a nicotine salt hydrate. Useful nicotine salts or nicotine salt hydrates include nicotine pyruvate, nicotine citrate, nicotine aspartate, nicotine lactate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine salicylate, nicotine fumarate, nicotine monopyruvate, nicotine glutamate, or nicotine hydrochloride, for example. The compound that combines with nicotine to form the salt or hydrate can be chosen based on its expected pharmacological effect. The nicotine content is calculated based on the total amount of nicotine, regardless of the form of nicotine. For example, the second plurality of particles may contain 8.4 percent by weight of a nicotine salt such as nicotine lactate, but the nicotine content in the second plurality of particles is therefore 5 percent by weight. A person skilled in the art has methods for evaluating whether a powder system is a powder system according to the present invention. One such method comprises a first step in evaluating whether the powder system comprises a first plurality of particles having a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers in combination with a second plurality of particles having a particle size smaller than approximately 20 micrometers, such as a particle size of approximately 10 micrometers or less. By way of example, one such first step may involve the use of laser diffraction or laser scattering to determine, firstly, whether the powder system has a size distribution that is bimodal or polymodal, and whether a population of particles having a particle size of 20 micrometers or more is present. Furthermore, one such method includes a second stage of separating the plurality of particles that are at least approximately 20 micrometers in size from the smaller particles. Such a second stage may involve, for example, the use of an impactor or sieves to separate the particles based on their size, so that the particles that are at least approximately 20 micrometers in size can be grouped together. In addition, one of these methods comprises a third stage of particle analysis having a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers to determine if the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the particles of the first plurality is greater than 0.25. A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described, solely by way of example. Example 1 A tobacco starting material is prepared from Bright tobacco cured in an artificial atmosphere. The tobacco material is cut into fragments measuring 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm, and these fragments are loaded into an extraction chamber without compression. The tobacco starting material is heated within the extraction chamber to a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius for a period of 3 hours. During heating, a flow of nitrogen is passed through the extraction chamber at a flow rate of approximately 40 liters per minute. The volatile compounds released from the tobacco starting material during the heating stage are collected by absorption in a liquid solvent formed by propylene glycol at less than 10 degrees Celsius and with stirring at 750 rpm. Therefore, a liquid tobacco flavoring composition is obtained directly from an extraction process at a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius for a period of 3 hours. This liquid tobacco flavoring composition provides an optimized level of desirable flavor compounds such as β-damascenone and β-ionone, along with undesirable compounds such as phenol, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone, (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabin, (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine, N-nitrosonornicotine, and 2-furanomethanol. The liquid tobacco flavoring composition also provides a level of desirable flavor compounds such as furaneol and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, along with nicotine. The propylene glycol solution with the collected volatile compounds is concentrated in a drying process to reduce the moisture level of the liquid tobacco extract to approximately 15 percent. Example 2 This example provides two liquid tobacco flavoring compositions, which are obtained directly from an extraction process at a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius for a period of 3 hours. Example 2a Example 2a refers to a liquid tobacco flavoring composition derived from Bright tobacco material cured in an artificial atmosphere. The contents of the concentrated liquid tobacco flavoring composition of Example 2a are as follows: • Nicotine: 0.53% w / w • Propylene glycol: 91.8% w / w • Water: 6.3% w / w LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi • Balance (which includes flavorings as detailed in Table 1 below): 1.57% w / w Example 2b Example 2b relates to a liquid tobacco flavoring composition derived from Burley tobacco material. The contents of the concentrated liquid tobacco flavoring composition of Example 2b are as follows: • Nicotine: 1.82% w / w • Propylene glycol: 89.6% w / w • Water: 5.7% w / w • Balance (which includes flavorings as detailed in Table 1 below): 2.88% w / w LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi Table 1. Content of flavor compounds selected in the liquid tobacco flavoring composition (all values ​​are given in micrograms per kilogram of liquid tobacco flavoring composition) Example Acetic acid β-ionone β-damascenone furaneol 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine Vanillin 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine 2-methylbutanoic acid 3-methylbutanoic acid 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione 2-methoxyphenol 2-phenylethanol Eugenol sotolone 2a 6193580 1352 2995 2420 39 1040 838 14081 20114 273 1649 19875 619 85 2b 3868247 939 1139 154 478 340 1980 16209 36356 69 3169 18196 845 36 The liquid tobacco flavoring compositions of Examples 2a and 2b according to the invention contain acceptably low levels of undesirable compounds such as phenol, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone, (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine, (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine, N-nitrosonomycotin, and 2-furanemethanol. Example 3 This example provides three liquid tobacco flavoring compositions in accordance with the invention, each of which is a liquid tobacco flavoring composition obtained directly from an extraction process at a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius for a period of 3 hours. Example 3a Example 3a relates to a liquid tobacco flavoring composition derived from Bright Oriental tobacco material. The contents of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition of Example 3a are as follows: • Nicotine: 0.4% w / w • Propylene glycol: 84% w / w • Acetic acid: 1.0% w / w • Water: 12.5% ​​w / w • Balance (which includes flavorings): 2.1% w / w Example 3b Example 3b refers to a liquid tobacco flavoring composition derived from Bright tobacco material cured in an artificial atmosphere. The contents of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition of Example 3b are as follows: • Nicotine: 1.2% w / w • Propylene glycol: 84% w / w • Acetic acid: 1.0% w / w • Water: 12.5% ​​w / w • Balance (which includes flavorings): 1.3% w / w Example 3c Example 3c relates to a liquid tobacco flavoring composition derived from Burley tobacco material. The contents of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition of Example 3c are as follows: • Nicotine: 2.6% w / w • Propylene glycol: 84% w / w • Acetic acid: 0.5% w / w • Water: 12.5% ​​w / w • Balance (which includes flavorings): 0.4% w / w The liquid tobacco flavoring compositions of Example 3 provide an optimized level of desirable flavor compounds such as β-damascenone and β-ionone to undesirable compounds such as phenol, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone, (R,S)N-nitrosoanatabine, (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine, N-nitrosonornicotine, and 2-furanomethanol. The liquid tobacco flavoring compositions also provide a level of desirable flavor compounds such as furaneol and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine to nicotine. Example 4 The liquid tobacco flavoring composition of Example 1 is concentrated in a drying process to reduce the moisture level of the liquid tobacco extract to approximately 15 percent. Glycerin is added to the resulting concentrated liquid tobacco extract in such a way that the liquid tobacco flavoring composition finally contains 20 percent by weight of glycerin and 80 percent by weight of liquid tobacco extract, based on the weight of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition. Example 5 The liquid tobacco flavoring compositions of Examples 1 to 4 are combined with a base material consisting of maltodextrin. The weight ratio of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to the base material is 30:70. In more detail, 3 grams of each of the liquid tobacco flavoring compositions from Examples 1 to 4 are weighed into the respective beakers, after weighing 7 grams of maltodextrin into each of the beakers. The two ingredients are stirred to obtain a homogeneous, pasty mixture. The pasty mixture is spread onto a Petri dish, covered with aluminum foil, and stored in a freezer for at least 2 hours. The frozen pasty mixture is then placed in a freeze-drying chamber (lyophilizer) to dehydrate it. This is done in a two-stage process. In the first stage, primary drying, the pasty mixture is dried for approximately 12 hours to allow the ice to sublimate. In the second stage, secondary drying, the pasty mixture is dried for an additional 2 hours to remove any unfrozen water molecules. Prior to the start of the drying process, the aluminum foil is perforated on the top of the Petri dish to facilitate the removal of water from the pasty mixture. The dehydrated paste mixture is then transferred to an alumina mortar and ground to form tobacco-flavored particles. This yields a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation with an average particle size distribution of approximately 50 to 60 micrometers. Example 6 n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi Example 6 provides particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation similar to the particles in Example 5. Unlike the particles in Example 5, the weight ratio of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to the base material in the particles in Example 6 is 50:50 (Example 6a) and 20:80 (Example 6b). Example 7 Example 7 provides particles of a tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation similar to the particles in Example 5. Unlike the particles in Example 5, the extract in Example 7 is produced by condensation without the addition of propylene glycol or any other solvent. Consequently, the concentration of flavor compounds within the liquid tobacco flavoring composition is significantly high, and in view of this, the weight ratio of the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to the base material in the particles of Example 7 is 10:90 (Example 7a) and 15:85 (Example 7b). Example 8 Three starting tobacco materials are prepared: Bright tobacco cured in an artificial atmosphere (2A), Burley tobacco material (2B) and Oriental tobacco material (2C), respectively. Each of the three tobacco materials is cut to form tobacco fragments that have dimensions of 2.5 millimeters by 2.5 millimeters, and the tobacco fragments are loaded into an extraction chamber, without compression. Each of the tobacco starting materials is heated inside the extraction chamber to a temperature of 130 degrees Celsius for a period of 120 minutes. During heating, a flow of nitrogen is passed through the extraction chamber at a flow rate of 2 liters per minute. The volatile compounds released from each tobacco starting material during the heating stage are collected by absorption in a liquid solvent made of polypropylene glycol at 0 degrees Celsius. A liquid tobacco extract is obtained directly from this extraction process. Each liquid extract obtained from each of the three tobacco starting materials is then concentrated under vacuum (50 mbar) at 55 degrees Celsius until a moisture content of 12 percent ± 2 percent is reached. Table 2. Weight ratios of selected tobacco compounds from convenient to inconvenient within liquid tobacco extracts n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi Example (β-ionone + βdamascenone) to (phenol) (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) (β-ionone + β- damascenone) to (4(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N- nitrosoanabasine + Nitrosonornicotine + ((2furanemethanol) / 600)) 2A 2.27 1.35 x 10'3 5.25 2B 2.96 1.71 x 10'3 3.50 2C 4.12 2.75 x 10'3 7.83 n LCcnn / zznz / E / YiAi In the three liquid extracts according to invention 2A, 2B and 2C, the weight ratio of (βionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) is constant and significantly greater than 2.0. Furthermore, in the three liquid extracts according to invention 2A, 2B and 2C, the weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) is constant and significantly greater than 1 x 10'3. Furthermore, in the three liquid extracts according to invention 2A, 2B and 2C, the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-lbutanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2furanemethanol) / 600)) is constant and significantly higher than 3.

Claims

1. A tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation comprising a plurality of particles comprising a base material and a tobacco flavoring composition, wherein a first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is greater than 0.

25.

2. A tobacco-flavored powder formulation according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco-flavored dry powder formulation is greater than 0.

5.

3. A tobacco-flavored powder formulation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3pyridyl)-1-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonomycotin + ((2-furanemethanol) / 600)) is greater than 1.

5.

4. A tobacco-flavored powder formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more of furaneol, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, acetic acid, vanillin, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-phenylethanol, eugenol, and sotolone.

5. A method for producing a tobacco-flavored powder formulation, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a tobacco starting material; heating the tobacco starting material to an extraction temperature of between 100 degrees Celsius and 160 degrees Celsius for at least 90 minutes; collecting the volatile compounds released from the tobacco starting material during the heating step; forming a liquid tobacco flavoring composition comprising the collected volatile compounds; combining a base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to form flavored tobacco particles, wherein in the step of preparing the tobacco starting material, the tobacco starting material is not subjected to any treatment adapted to alter the pH of the tobacco.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the tobacco starting material is heated to an extraction temperature of between 120 degrees Celsius and 140 degrees Celsius.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the tobacco starting material is heated to the extraction temperature for at least 120 minutes.

8. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the extraction temperature is selected to provide a weight ratio of (β-ionone + βdamascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco flavoring composition of at least approximately 0.

25.

9. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the extraction temperature is selected to provide a weight ratio of (β-ionone + βdamascenone) to (4-(methylnitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanatabine + (R,S)-N-nitrosoanabasine + N-nitrosonornicotine + ((2-furanomethanol) / 600)) in the tobacco flavoring composition of at least approximately 1.

5.

10. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the extraction temperature is selected to provide a weight ratio of (furaneol + (2,3diethyl-5-methylpyrazine)*100)) to (nicotine) in the tobacco flavoring composition of at least approximately 5 x 10-4.

11. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the base material comprises one or more of a gum, a starch, a hydrolyzed starch, a chemically modified starch, carboxymethylcellulose, a monosaccharide, a disaccharide.

12. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the step of collecting the volatile compounds released from the tobacco starting material during the heating step comprises causing the volatile compounds to condense by cooling.

13. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the step of combining the base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to form the flavored tobacco particles comprises: forming a mixture of the base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition; freezing the mixture; drying the frozen mixture; and milling the dried mixture to form the flavored tobacco particles; or wherein the step of combining the base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition to form flavored tobacco particles comprises: forming a mixture of the base material and the liquid tobacco flavoring composition; and spray-drying the mixture to form the flavored tobacco particles.

14. A powder system, comprising: a first plurality of particles according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and having a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers; and a second plurality of particles having a particle size of approximately 10 micrometers or less and comprising nicotine.

15. A powder system, comprising: a first plurality of flavored tobacco particles having a particle size of at least approximately 20 micrometers and a second plurality of particles having a particle size less than approximately 20 micrometers, wherein a first weight ratio of (β-ionone + β-damascenone) to (phenol) in the tobacco flavor of the first plurality is greater than 0.25.