Tobacco composition production method

Abstract

This tobacco composition production method includes a feature of irradiating a raw material liquid containing a photosynthetic pigment, the raw material liquid selected from a tobacco leaf extract and a tobacco leaf dispersion, with irradiation light selected from red light and blue light, to obtain a tobacco composition having a less nicotine content compared to the raw material liquid.

Description

Method for producing tobacco composition

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a tobacco composition having a low nicotine content.

[0002] Low-nicotine tobacco products are known that are designed to reduce the amount of nicotine inhaled by the user. Low-nicotine tobacco products are designed by increasing the nicotine filtration rate of the filter or by reducing the nicotine content of leaf tobacco (i.e., dried leaves obtained by drying fresh leaves harvested from tobacco plants). A method using solvent extraction is known as a method for reducing the nicotine content of leaf tobacco (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,775

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the nicotine content of tobacco leaf extracts and tobacco leaf dispersions in a simple manner.

[0005] According to one aspect, there is provided a method for producing a tobacco composition, comprising irradiating a raw material liquid containing a photosynthetic pigment, selected from a tobacco leaf extract and a tobacco leaf dispersion, with irradiation light selected from red light and blue light, to obtain a tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content compared to the raw material liquid.

[0006] According to another aspect, there is provided a tobacco composition produced by the method according to the above aspect.

[0007] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a flavor inhaler that includes the tobacco composition according to the above aspect as a tobacco flavor source.

[0008] According to the present invention, a technique can be provided that can reduce the nicotine content of tobacco leaf extracts and tobacco leaf dispersions in a simple manner.

[0009] FIG. 1A is a chromatogram of Sample 1A before light irradiation. FIG. 1B is a chromatogram of Sample 1A after light irradiation. FIG. 2A is a chromatogram of Sample 1B before light irradiation. FIG. 2B is a chromatogram of Sample 1B after light irradiation. FIG. 3A is a chromatogram of Sample 1C before light irradiation. FIG. 3B is a chromatogram of Sample 1C after light irradiation. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the analysis results of nicotine content. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the analysis results of nicotine content. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the analysis results of nicotine content. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between light irradiation time and nicotine content. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the analysis results of nicotine content. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the analysis results of nicotine content. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the analysis results of nicotine decomposition products.

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below. However, the following description is for the purpose of explaining the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The embodiments described below are more specific embodiments of any of the above aspects. The following items can be incorporated into each of the above aspects alone or in combination.

[0011] <1. Method for producing tobacco composition> The present inventors discovered that irradiating a tobacco leaf extract or a tobacco leaf dispersion with light of a specific wavelength can reduce the nicotine content, and that this nicotine reduction effect is exerted via photosynthetic pigments contained in the tobacco leaves, leading to the completion of the present invention.

[0012] That is, the method for producing a tobacco composition with a low nicotine content includes irradiating a raw material liquid containing a photosynthetic pigment, selected from a tobacco leaf extract and a tobacco leaf dispersion, with irradiation light selected from red light and blue light, to obtain a tobacco composition with a lower nicotine content than the raw material liquid.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the raw material liquid is a tobacco leaf extract. That is, according to a first embodiment, a method for producing a tobacco composition includes irradiating a raw material liquid that is a tobacco leaf extract and contains a photosynthetic pigment with irradiation light selected from red light and blue light to obtain a tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content compared to the raw material liquid. In the method according to the first embodiment, the tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content can be obtained in the form of a tobacco leaf extract (liquid), similar to the raw material liquid.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the stock liquid is a tobacco leaf dispersion. That is, according to a second embodiment, a method for producing a tobacco composition includes irradiating a stock liquid that is a tobacco leaf dispersion and contains a photosynthetic pigment with irradiation light selected from red light and blue light to obtain a tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content compared to the stock liquid. In the method according to the second embodiment, the tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content may be obtained in the form of a tobacco leaf dispersion (liquid), as with the stock liquid, or may be obtained in the form of a dried product (solid) obtained by drying the tobacco leaf dispersion.

[0015] The method according to the first embodiment and the method according to the second embodiment will be described below in order.

[0016] 1-1. First embodiment (Raw material liquid) In the method according to the first embodiment, the raw material liquid is a tobacco leaf extract and contains a photosynthetic pigment. The photosynthetic pigment is preferably at least one selected from chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytin a, and pheophytin b.

[0017] The tobacco leaf extract may be a non-aqueous solution. A non-aqueous solution refers to a solution in which a solute is dissolved in a solvent other than water. That is, the raw material liquid may be prepared by obtaining a tobacco leaf extract using a non-aqueous solvent (i.e., a solvent other than water) as an extraction solvent. Examples of solvents other than water include organic solvents. Examples of organic solvents include hexane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, propylene glycol, glycerin, or any mixture thereof.

[0018] Alternatively, the tobacco leaf extract may be an aqueous solution, i.e., the raw material liquid may be prepared by obtaining a tobacco leaf extract using water as an extraction solvent.

[0019] For example, the raw material liquid can be prepared by obtaining an extract of tobacco leaves using an extraction solvent selected from hexane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, propylene glycol, glycerin, water, and any mixture thereof.

[0020] The extraction conditions for obtaining a tobacco leaf extract can be any conditions that allow for the extraction of photosynthetic pigments and tobacco flavor components from tobacco leaves. The extraction solvent can be used, for example, in an amount of 5 to 1,000 parts by mass per part by mass of tobacco leaves. When it is necessary to remove the extraction solvent from the tobacco composition, it is preferable to use a small amount of extraction solvent. Extraction can be performed, for example, by immersing tobacco leaves in the extraction solvent at 10 to 100°C for 10 to 360 minutes, or by shaking tobacco leaves in the extraction solvent at 10 to 40°C for 1 to 60 minutes.

[0021] The extraction may be performed in a single extraction operation. Alternatively, the extraction may be performed by repeating the extraction operation multiple times. Specifically, the photosynthetic pigments and tobacco flavor components are extracted from tobacco leaves with an extraction solvent, and then the obtained tobacco residue is placed in a new extraction solvent to perform a second extraction operation. If necessary, the extraction may be performed by repeating the extraction operation with the new extraction solvent.

[0022] The extraction produces a mixture of tobacco leaf extract and tobacco residue, and after extraction, the tobacco residue is removed from the resulting mixture to obtain the tobacco leaf extract.

[0023] Tobacco leaves may be dried leaves obtained by drying fresh leaves harvested from tobacco plants. Dried leaves are also referred to as "tobacco leaves" in the art. Alternatively, tobacco leaves may be fresh leaves harvested from tobacco plants. That is, the term "tobacco leaves" as used herein encompasses both dried leaves obtained by drying fresh leaves harvested from tobacco plants and fresh leaves harvested from tobacco plants.

[0024] The tobacco leaf may be shredded material obtained by shredding tobacco leaves, or pulverized material obtained by crushing tobacco leaves. Using shredded or crushed tobacco leaves as the tobacco leaf can increase the extraction efficiency of photosynthetic pigments and tobacco flavor components.

[0025] For example, the dried leaf can be tobacco shreds that are ready to be blended into tobacco products such as combustion-type flavor inhalers and heating-type flavor inhalers. Tobacco shreds are cut pieces of dried leaf. "Tobacco shreds ready to be blended into tobacco products" refers to tobacco shreds that have been subjected to various processing steps, such as a drying process on a farm, a long-term aging process of one to several years at a raw material factory, and subsequent blending and cutting at a manufacturing factory, and are ready to be blended into tobacco products.

[0026] The tobacco leaves may be of any variety, such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, etc. The tobacco leaves may be of a single variety or a mixture of different varieties.

[0027] (Irradiation with Irradiation Light) The above-mentioned stock solution is irradiated with irradiation light selected from red light and blue light. This makes it possible to obtain a tobacco composition with a lower nicotine content compared to the stock solution. The tobacco composition with a lower nicotine content can be obtained in the form of a tobacco leaf extract (liquid), similar to the stock solution.

[0028] The illumination light is red light, blue light, or both. The red light preferably has a peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm. The blue light preferably has a peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm. Therefore, the illumination light can preferably be light having a peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm, light having a peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm, or both. The illumination light can more preferably be light having only one peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm, light having only one peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm, or both. According to one example, the illumination light can be LED light having only one peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm, LED light having only one peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm, or both.

[0029] The irradiation light is, for example, 50 μmol / m ２ The photon flux density of the irradiated light can be increased by 6000 μmol / m or more. If the nicotine reduction effect increases as the photon flux density of the irradiated light increases, it is desirable to increase the photon flux density of the irradiated light. Therefore, the upper limit of the photon flux density of the irradiated light is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 6000 μmol / m or more. ２ The irradiation light is, for example, 50 to 6000 μmol / m ２ / s, preferably 50 to 400 μmol / m ２ / s, more preferably 180 to 400 μmol / m ２ The photon flux density is a value measured at the liquid surface of the raw material solution using a photon meter.

[0030] The irradiation light can be applied for, for example, one hour or more, preferably for 1 to 168 hours, more preferably for 3 to 12 hours.

[0031] (Tobacco composition) The tobacco composition obtained by the method according to the first embodiment has a lower nicotine content than the stock liquid. As described above, the tobacco composition can be in the form of a tobacco leaf extract (liquid), similar to the stock liquid. In this case, the tobacco composition is a liquid tobacco composition.

[0032] The tobacco composition can be incorporated into, for example, a flavor inhaler as a tobacco flavor source. The extraction solvent contained in the tobacco composition may be removed, if necessary, before the tobacco composition is incorporated into the flavor inhaler. For example, if the extraction solvent used is not included in the list of additives that can be added to tobacco products, it must be removed from the tobacco composition. The extraction solvent can be removed, for example, by evaporating the extraction solvent under reduced pressure.

[0033] 1-2. Second Embodiment In the method according to the second embodiment, the liquid stock is a dispersion of tobacco leaves and contains a photosynthetic pigment. The photosynthetic pigment is preferably "at least one selected from chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytin a, and pheophytin b."

[0034] In the tobacco leaf dispersion, the tobacco leaves are preferably in a particulate form. That is, the tobacco leaf dispersion is preferably a suspension of particulate tobacco leaves. The particulate tobacco leaves may have a particle size of, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

[0035] The tobacco leaf dispersion preferably has water as the dispersion medium. That is, the tobacco leaf dispersion is preferably a water-based dispersion. The tobacco leaf dispersion may or may not have viscosity. The tobacco leaf dispersion is more preferably a water-based slurry. A slurry refers to a viscous dispersion. The tobacco leaf dispersion is even more preferably a water-based slurry in which particulate tobacco leaves are suspended in water.

[0036] As described above, the method according to the second embodiment uses a different raw material solution from the method according to the first embodiment. The method according to the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the method according to the first embodiment, and omitting a description of overlapping points.

[0037] In the method according to the second embodiment, a tobacco composition may be obtained by irradiating a tobacco leaf dispersion contained in a container with irradiation light. The obtained tobacco composition has a lower nicotine content than the stock liquid. In this case, the tobacco composition can be obtained in the form of a tobacco leaf dispersion (liquid), similar to the stock liquid. In this case, the tobacco composition is a liquid tobacco composition.

[0038] Alternatively, in the method according to the second embodiment, a coating film made of a tobacco leaf dispersion may be formed, and the coating film may be irradiated with irradiation light to obtain a tobacco composition. That is, the method according to the second embodiment may further include forming a coating film made of a tobacco leaf dispersion prior to the irradiation with irradiation light. In this specification, a coating film refers to a liquid film obtained by applying a tobacco leaf dispersion onto a substrate. In this case, the irradiation light is irradiated onto the coating film made of a tobacco leaf dispersion.

[0039] When the method according to the second embodiment further comprises forming a coating film made of a tobacco leaf dispersion prior to irradiation with irradiation light, the method according to the second embodiment may further comprise drying the coating film to obtain the tobacco composition in the form of a sheet. If the coating film is not dried, the tobacco composition can be obtained in the form of a tobacco leaf dispersion (liquid), and if the coating film is dried, the tobacco composition can be obtained in the form of a sheet-shaped dried product (solid) obtained by drying the coating film.

[0040] The coating film can be dried in the same manner as in the drying process used in the art for producing tobacco sheets by the casting method. For example, the coating film can be dried by ventilation. The ventilation drying can be performed, for example, by blowing air at room temperature (e.g., 10 to 30°C) onto the coating film.

[0041] Drying of the coating film preferably starts simultaneously with or after the start of irradiation with the irradiation light. That is, drying of the coating film may start simultaneously with the start of irradiation with the irradiation light, so that irradiation with the irradiation light and drying of the coating film are carried out simultaneously. Alternatively, drying of the coating film may start during irradiation with the irradiation light or after irradiation with the irradiation light is completed.

[0042] When drying the coating film, it is preferable to irradiate the coating film with light while the dispersion medium remains in the coating film, that is, while the coating film has fluidity.When irradiating the coating film with light while the dispersion medium remains in the coating film, that is, while the coating film has fluidity, the nicotine content can be efficiently reduced.

[0043] In one example, a tobacco leaf dispersion is cast onto a substrate in the form of a sheet to form a coating film, and drying of the coating film begins simultaneously with the start of irradiation of the coating film with light, thereby producing a tobacco composition in the form of a sheet. In this example, the formation of the coating film and the drying of the coating film can be carried out in the same manner as in the production of sheet tobacco by the casting method.

[0044] In another example, a tobacco leaf dispersion is cast onto a substrate in the form of a sheet to form a coating film, the coating film is irradiated with light, and drying of the coating film begins after irradiation with light is completed, thereby producing a tobacco composition in the form of a sheet. In this example, the formation of the coating film and the drying of the coating film can be carried out in the same manner as when producing sheet tobacco by the casting method.

[0045] <1-3. Effects> According to the present invention, the nicotine content of a stock solution (i.e., a tobacco leaf extract or a tobacco leaf dispersion) can be significantly reduced by light irradiation. In the examples described below, it has been demonstrated that the nicotine content of the stock solution can be reduced to 50% or less, and that, depending on the light irradiation conditions, almost all of the nicotine contained in the stock solution can be eliminated.

[0046] Furthermore, the method of the present invention is a simple method because it can be carried out by light irradiation. As described in the Background Art section, methods for reducing the nicotine content of tobacco leaves by solvent extraction are known, but these conventional methods have more complicated processing steps and require longer processing times to reduce the nicotine content than the method of the present invention.

[0047] In the method of the present invention, nicotine is not directly decomposed by light irradiation, but is indirectly decomposed via a photosynthetic pigment contained in the raw material solution. This is inferred from the experimental data in the Examples described below. Specifically, in the method of the present invention, nicotine decomposition is inferred to occur through the following reaction: First, a photosynthetic pigment contained in the raw material solution absorbs the energy of the irradiated light. By transferring this light energy to a substance X (e.g., water), the substance X is oxidized to produce an oxide (e.g., hydrogen peroxide). Nicotine reacts with the oxide (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), and then nicotine decomposes via a known nicotine decomposition pathway. Therefore, compared to conventional methods using solvent extraction, the method of the present invention is less likely to chemically change or lose useful components other than nicotine contained in the raw material solution, such as tobacco flavor components.

[0048] 2. Tobacco Composition> In another aspect, there is provided a tobacco composition produced by the above-mentioned "method for producing a tobacco composition." As described above, the tobacco composition can be in either a liquid or solid form.

[0049] The tobacco composition can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler. For example, a liquid tobacco composition can be incorporated into a heated flavor inhaler as a liquid and atomized at the time of use, thereby being used as a tobacco flavor source in a heated flavor inhaler. Alternatively, the liquid tobacco composition can be added to a tobacco material (e.g., tobacco shreds or sheet tobacco), the resulting mixture can be dried, and the resulting dried product can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a combustion-type or heated flavor inhaler.

[0050] The solid tobacco composition, alone or in combination with other tobacco fillers (e.g., tobacco shreds or sheet tobacco), can be used as a tobacco flavor source in combustion-type or heated flavor inhalers.

[0051] The tobacco composition is produced by the above-mentioned "method for producing a tobacco composition," and therefore has a lower nicotine content than the stock liquid. The nicotine content of the tobacco composition is preferably 0 to 50%, more preferably 0 to 10%, relative to the nicotine content (100%) of the stock liquid used to prepare the tobacco composition.

[0052] Furthermore, the tobacco composition has a higher content of nicotine degradation products than the stock solution. Specifically, the tobacco composition has a higher content of at least one selected from cotinine, nicotyrine, myosmine, and nicotinic acid than the stock solution.

[0053] Furthermore, the tobacco composition maintains the contents of useful components other than nicotine, such as tobacco flavor components, without any reduction, compared to the raw material liquid. Useful components maintained in the tobacco composition include hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and carotenoid decomposition products.

[0054] Therefore, when the tobacco composition is used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler, it can reduce the amount of nicotine inhaled by the user while providing the user with a sufficient tobacco flavor.

[0055] 3. Flavor Inhaler The above-described "tobacco composition" can be incorporated into any flavor inhaler. That is, according to another aspect, there is provided a flavor inhaler that includes the above-described "tobacco composition" as a tobacco flavor source. Flavor inhalers include, for example, combustion-type flavor inhalers, heating-type flavor inhalers, and non-heating-type flavor inhalers.

[0056] (Combustion-type Flavor Inhaler) A "combustion-type flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler that provides a tobacco flavor to a user by burning a tobacco flavor source. Examples of combustion-type flavor inhalers include cigarettes, pipes, kiseru, cigars, and cigarillos.

[0057] (Heated Flavor Inhaler) A "heated flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler that provides a tobacco flavor to a user by heating a tobacco flavor source without burning it. Therefore, in this specification, a heated flavor inhaler is also referred to as a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler. According to one embodiment, a heated flavor inhaler is provided that contains the above-mentioned tobacco composition as a tobacco flavor source.

[0058] When the above-mentioned "tobacco composition" is incorporated into a heated flavor inhaler, the tobacco composition may be incorporated into the heated flavor inhaler body, or into a refillable tobacco product that is a component of the heated flavor inhaler. As a specific example of the latter, the tobacco composition may be incorporated into a tobacco stick by wrapping a tobacco flavor source containing a liquid or solid tobacco composition with cigarette paper to form a tobacco stick. Alternatively, as a specific example of the latter, the tobacco composition may be incorporated into a tobacco refill by placing a tobacco flavor source containing a liquid or solid tobacco composition in a refillable container to form a tobacco refill. That is, according to another aspect, there is provided a tobacco stick comprising a tobacco flavor source containing the above-mentioned tobacco composition and cigarette paper wrapped around the tobacco flavor source. According to another aspect, there is also provided a tobacco refill comprising a tobacco flavor source containing the above-mentioned tobacco composition and a heat-resistant container containing the tobacco flavor source.

[0059] (Non-heating Flavor Inhaler) A "non-heating flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler that allows a user to inhale tobacco flavor at room temperature without burning or heating a tobacco flavor source.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0061] 4. Preferred Embodiments Preferred embodiments are summarized below.

[0062] [A1] A method for producing a tobacco composition, comprising irradiating a stock solution containing a photosynthetic pigment selected from a tobacco leaf extract and a tobacco leaf dispersion with light selected from red light and blue light to obtain a tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content than the stock solution. [A2] A method for producing a tobacco composition, comprising irradiating a stock solution containing a photosynthetic pigment, which is a tobacco leaf extract, with light selected from red light and blue light to obtain a tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content than the stock solution. [A3] The method described in [A2], wherein the extract is a non-aqueous solution. [A4] The method described in [A2], wherein the extract is obtained by extracting tobacco leaves using a non-aqueous solvent as an extraction solvent. [A5] The method described in [A4], wherein the non-aqueous solvent is an organic solvent, preferably hexane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, propylene glycol, glycerin, or any mixture thereof.

[0063] [A6] The method according to [A2], wherein the extract is an aqueous solution. [A7] The method according to [A2], wherein the extract is an extract obtained by extracting tobacco leaves using water as an extraction solvent. [A8] The method according to [A2], wherein the extract is an extract obtained by extracting tobacco leaves using an extraction solvent selected from hexane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, propylene glycol, glycerin, water, and any mixture thereof.

[0064] [A9] A method for producing a tobacco composition, comprising irradiating a stock solution that is a tobacco leaf dispersion and contains a photosynthetic pigment with irradiation light selected from red light and blue light, to obtain a tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content than the stock solution. [A10] The method described in [A9], wherein the dispersion is a water-based dispersion in which tobacco leaves are dispersed in water. [A11] The method described in [A9], wherein the dispersion is a water-based slurry in which tobacco leaves are suspended in water. [A12] The method described in any one of [A9] to [A11], wherein the tobacco leaves are particulate tobacco leaves. [A13] The method described in any one of [A9] to [A12], further comprising forming a coating film made of the dispersion prior to the irradiation, and irradiating the coating film with the irradiation light.

[0065] [A14] The method according to [A13], further comprising drying the coating film to obtain the tobacco composition in the form of a sheet. [A15] The method according to [A14], wherein the drying begins simultaneously with or after the start of the irradiation. [A16] The method according to [A14], wherein the drying begins simultaneously with the start of the irradiation. [A17] The method according to [A14], wherein the drying begins after the irradiation is completed. [A18] The method according to any one of [A14] to [A17], wherein the irradiation is carried out while a dispersion medium remains in the coating film.

[0066] [A19] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A18], wherein the photosynthetic pigment is at least one selected from chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytin a, and pheophytin b. [A20] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A18], wherein the photosynthetic pigment is chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytin a, and pheophytin b. [A21] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is light having a peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm, light having a peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm, or both. [A22] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is light having a single peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm, light having a single peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm, or both. [A23] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is LED light having a single peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm, LED light having a single peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm, or both.

[0067] [A24] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is light having a peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm. [A25] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is light having a peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm. [A26] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is light having a sole peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm. [A27] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is light having a sole peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm. [A28] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is LED light having a sole peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm. [A29] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A20], wherein the irradiating light is LED light having a single peak wavelength within the range of 430 to 490 nm.

[0068] [A30] The irradiation light is 50 μmol / m ２[A31] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A29], wherein the irradiation light has a photon flux density of 50 to 6000 μmol / m ２ / s, preferably 50 to 400 μmol / m ２ / s, more preferably 180 to 400 μmol / m ２ [A32] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A31], wherein the irradiation light is applied for 1 hour or more. [A33] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A31], wherein the irradiation light is applied for 1 to 168 hours, preferably 3 to 12 hours.

[0069] [A34] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A33], wherein the tobacco leaf is a dried leaf obtained by drying fresh leaves harvested from a tobacco plant. [A35] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A33], wherein the tobacco leaf is a fresh leaf harvested from a tobacco plant. [A36] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A35], wherein the tobacco leaf is shredded tobacco leaf. [A37] The method according to any one of [A1] to [A35], wherein the tobacco leaf is ground tobacco leaf.

[0070] [B1] A tobacco composition produced by the method described in any one of [A1] to [A37]. [B2] The tobacco composition described in [B1], which is in the form of a liquid. [B3] The tobacco composition described in [B1], which is in the form of a solid. [B4] A tobacco composition produced by the method described in any one of [A1] to [A13] and [A19] to [A37], which is in the form of a liquid. [B5] A tobacco composition produced by the method described in any one of [A14] to [A18], which is in the form of a sheet.

[0071] [C1] A flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco composition according to any one of [B1] to [B5] as a tobacco flavor source. [C2] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising: a flavor generating article comprising a tobacco flavor source comprising the tobacco composition according to [B3] or [B5] and a cigarette paper wrapped around the tobacco flavor source; and a heater for heating the tobacco flavor source. [C3] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising: a liquid storage section containing a tobacco flavor liquid comprising the tobacco composition according to [B2] or [B4]; and a heater for heating and atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid.

[0072] Example 1 In Example 1, a liquid tobacco composition was prepared by irradiating an extract of dried tobacco leaves with red light.

[0073] 1-1. Preparation of Tobacco Composition A mixture of 2.5 g of chopped tobacco lamina (obtained by removing the midrib from dried tobacco leaves) and 20 mL of hexane was stirred and mixed at 100 rpm for 30 minutes at room temperature (approximately 20°C). The mixture was then filtered to obtain a filtrate. Hexane was removed from the filtrate at 38°C and a reduced pressure of 160 hPa to obtain a tobacco extract. The obtained tobacco extract was used to prepare the following three types of samples.

[0074] Sample 1A: 2 mL of hexane was added to the tobacco extract to prepare Sample 1A (a dry tobacco leaf extract). Sample 1B: 1 mL of hexane and 1 mL of a nicotine solution (a solution containing nicotine at a concentration of 0.625 mg / mL in hexane) were added to the tobacco extract to prepare Sample 1B (a mixture of a dry tobacco leaf extract and a nicotine solution). Sample 1C: The nicotine solution (a solution containing nicotine at a concentration of 0.625 mg / mL in hexane) was designated Sample 1C.

[0075] For each of Samples 1A, 1B, and 1C, red LED light with a peak wavelength of 660 nm was applied at 180 μmol / m ２ The sample was irradiated with a photon flux density of 10000 / s for 7 days.

[0076] 1-2. Analysis Method: The nicotine content of each sample was analyzed before and after light irradiation using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, Shimadzu Corporation).

[0077] 1-3. Results The analytical results of Sample 1A before light irradiation are shown in FIG. 1A, and the analytical results of Sample 1A after light irradiation are shown in FIG. 1B. The analytical results of Sample 1B before light irradiation are shown in FIG. 2A, and the analytical results of Sample 1B after light irradiation are shown in FIG. 2B. The analytical results of Sample 1C before light irradiation are shown in FIG. 3A, and the analytical results of Sample 1C after light irradiation are shown in FIG. 3B. Specifically, FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B show nicotine peaks in chromatograms.

[0078] When red light was irradiated onto Sample 1A (extract from dried tobacco leaves), nicotine disappeared. When red light was irradiated onto Sample 1B (a mixture of extract from dried tobacco leaves and nicotine solution), nicotine disappeared. On the other hand, when red light was irradiated onto Sample 1C (nicotine solution), nicotine did not disappear.

[0079] These results suggest that red light irradiation cannot directly decompose nicotine, but rather acts on components (other than nicotine) contained in the extract of dried tobacco leaves, and through this action, decomposes nicotine.

[0080] Example 2 In Example 2, a slurry of fresh tobacco leaves was irradiated with red light to prepare a tobacco composition in slurry form.

[0081] 2-1. Preparation of Tobacco Composition Water was added to freshly harvested tobacco plant leaves (fresh leaves) and the mixture was mixed in a mixer until it became a slurry (juice-like), to prepare a fresh tobacco leaf slurry (Sample 2). The fresh tobacco leaf slurry (Sample 2) was sealed in a container and irradiated with red LED light having a peak wavelength of 660 nm at 6000 μmol / m ２ The light was irradiated at a photon flux density of 1000 nm / s.

[0082] The nicotine content of Sample 2 was analyzed before light irradiation, one day after light irradiation, two days after light irradiation, and three days after light irradiation. The analysis was performed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, Shimadzu Corporation) as in Example 1.

[0083] 2-3. Results The analysis results of the nicotine content are shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the nicotine content is expressed as a relative value when the nicotine content before light irradiation is set to 1.

[0084] The amount of nicotine contained in the tobacco fresh leaf slurry decreased as the light irradiation time increased. Specifically, after one day of light irradiation, about 30% of the nicotine had disappeared compared to before light irradiation. After two days of light irradiation, about 70% of the nicotine had disappeared compared to before light irradiation. After three days of light irradiation, about 80% of the nicotine had disappeared compared to before light irradiation.

[0085] Example 3 In Example 3, a liquid tobacco composition was prepared by irradiating an extract of dried tobacco leaves with red light.

[0086] 3-1. Preparation of Tobacco Composition An extract of dry tobacco leaves (Sample 3A) was prepared using the same procedure as in preparing Sample 1A in Example 1, but using hexane as the extraction solvent.

[0087] In addition, an extract of dried tobacco leaves (Sample 3B) was prepared in the same manner as in preparing Sample 1A in Example 1, except that ethyl acetate was used instead of hexane as the extraction solvent.

[0088] In addition, an extract of dried tobacco leaves (Sample 3C) was prepared in the same manner as in preparing Sample 1A in Example 1, except that ethanol was used instead of hexane as the extraction solvent.

[0089] For each of Samples 3A and 3B, red LED light with a peak wavelength of 660 nm was irradiated at 180 μmol / m ２ For sample 3C, red LED light with a peak wavelength of 660 nm was irradiated at a photon flux density of 6000 μmol / m ２The samples were then irradiated with light at a photon flux density of 10000 / s for 16 hours. Meanwhile, each of Samples 3A, 3B, and 3C was left standing in a dark place for 7 days.

[0090] 3-2. Analysis Method: The nicotine content of each of Samples 3A, 3B, and 3C was analyzed after treatment (i.e., after exposure to light or after standing in the dark). The analysis was performed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, Shimadzu Corporation) as in Example 1.

[0091] 3-3. Results The analytical results of the nicotine content are shown in Figures 5 and 6. The results for Samples 3A and 3B are shown in Figure 5, and the results for Sample 3C are shown in Figure 6.

[0092] In Fig. 5, the nicotine content is expressed as a relative value when the nicotine content before treatment is set to 1. Fig. 5 shows, from the left, the cases where Sample 3A was left standing in a dark place, Sample 3A was irradiated with light, Sample 3B was left standing in a dark place, and Sample 3B was irradiated with light.

[0093] In Fig. 6, the nicotine content is represented by the area value of the nicotine peak (ratio to the internal standard) detected by a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. Fig. 6 shows, from the left, the case where Sample 3C was left standing in a dark place and the case where Sample 3C was irradiated with light.

[0094] When a hexane extract of dry tobacco leaves (Sample 3A) was left in the dark, the nicotine content was barely reduced, but when red light was irradiated on the hexane extract of dry tobacco leaves (Sample 3A), almost all of the nicotine was eliminated. Similarly, when a hexane extract of dry tobacco leaves (Sample 3B) was left in the dark, the nicotine content was not significantly reduced, but when red light was irradiated on the ethyl acetate extract of dry tobacco leaves (Sample 3B), almost all of the nicotine was eliminated.

[0095] When the ethanol extract of dried tobacco leaves (Sample 3C) was left in the dark, the nicotine content was hardly reduced, but when red light was irradiated onto the ethanol extract of dried tobacco leaves (Sample 3C), almost all of the nicotine was eliminated.

[0096] Example 4 The effect of light intensity on the nicotine reduction effect was investigated in Example 4. In Example 4, a mixture of a dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf extract and a nicotine solution was used as the raw material liquid instead of a tobacco leaf extract.

[0097] 4-1. Preparation of Tobacco Composition Substitute A mixture of 4 g of chopped fresh dandelion leaves and 20 mL of ethanol was stirred and mixed at 100 rpm for 30 minutes at room temperature (approximately 20°C). The mixture was then filtered to obtain a dandelion leaf extract. The resulting extract was green and contained photosynthetic pigments. This extract was mixed with a nicotine solution (a solution containing nicotine at a concentration of 0.25 mg / mL in hexane) in a mass ratio of 1.0:4.5 to prepare a mixture (Sample 4). The nicotine concentration in the mixture (Sample 4) was 0.205 mg / mL.

[0098] The mixed solution (sample 4) was irradiated with red LED light having a peak wavelength of 660 nm at a concentration of 50 μmol / m ２ / s, 200μmol / m ２ / s, or 400 μmol / m ２ The samples were irradiated with a photon flux density of 1000 / s for 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours, respectively. Thus, "substitutes for tobacco compositions" were prepared.

[0099] After the predetermined time of light irradiation, the nicotine content was analyzed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, Shimadzu Corporation) in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0100] 4-3. Results The relationship between light irradiation time and nicotine content is shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7, "PPFD 50" indicates a photon flux density of 50 μmol / m ２ / s, and "PPFD 200" indicates a photon flux density of 200 μmol / m ２ / s, and "PPFD 400" indicates a photon flux density of 400 μmol / m ２ / s.

[0101] Photon flux density 50μmol / m ２ In the case of a photon flux density of 200 μmol / m / s, irradiation with red light for 2 hours reduced the nicotine content to about 50% of the nicotine content before irradiation, and irradiation with red light for 8 hours reduced the nicotine content to about 20% of the nicotine content before irradiation. ２ / s and 400 μmol / m ２ / s, the photon flux density is 50 μmol / m ２ The nicotine content could be reduced with a shorter irradiation time compared to when the photon flux density was 200 μmol / m ２ / s and 400 μmol / m ２ In the case of 1 / s, irradiation with red light for 2 hours reduced the nicotine content to approximately 20% of the nicotine content before light irradiation.

[0102] [Example 5] In Example 5, the components that contribute to the nicotine reduction effect were investigated. In Example 5, a mixture of a dandelion leaf extract and a nicotine solution was used as the raw material liquid instead of a tobacco leaf extract.

[0103] 5-1. Preparation of Substitute for Tobacco Composition An extract of dandelion leaves was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4.

[0104] The extract of dandelion leaves was fractionated by thin-layer chromatography (developing solvent: hexane:acetone = 6:4) to obtain a chlorophyll a fraction, a chlorophyll b fraction, a pheophytin a fraction, a pheophytin b fraction, and a carotene fraction.

[0105] Mixtures (Samples 5A to 5E) were prepared by mixing any one of the chlorophyll a fraction, the chlorophyll b fraction, the pheophytin a fraction, the pheophytin b fraction, and the carotene fraction with a nicotine solution (a solution containing nicotine at a concentration of 0.625 mg / mL in hexane).

[0106] On the other hand, as a control, a mixed solution (sample 5F) was prepared by mixing the extract of dandelion leaves with a nicotine solution (a solution containing nicotine at a concentration of 0.625 mg / mL in hexane).

[0107] The mixtures of Samples 5A, 5B, and 5F were prepared so that the nicotine concentration in the mixture was approximately 0.2 mg / mL and the chlorophyll concentration was within the range of 10-12 μg / mL. The chlorophyll concentration was calculated from the absorbance at 665 nm and 650 nm. The mixtures of Samples 5C and 5D were prepared using the entire pheophytin fraction so that the nicotine concentration in the mixture was approximately 0.2 mg / mL. Similarly, the mixture of Sample 5E was prepared using the entire carotene fraction so that the nicotine concentration in the mixture was approximately 0.2 mg / mL.

[0108] For each of the mixed solutions of Samples 5A to 5E, red LED light with a peak wavelength of 660 nm was irradiated at 180 μmol / m ２ The mixture was irradiated with a photon flux density of 1 / s for 24 hours, thereby preparing a "substitute for tobacco composition."

[0109] 5-2. Analysis Method The mixed solutions of Samples 5A to 5E were analyzed for nicotine content after light irradiation. The mixed solution of Sample 5F (control) was analyzed for nicotine content without light irradiation. The analysis was performed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, Shimadzu Corporation) as in Example 1.

[0110] 5-3. Results The analysis results of the nicotine content are shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8, the nicotine content is represented by the height of the nicotine peak (ratio to the internal standard) detected by a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer.

[0111] Irradiation with red light in the presence of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytin a, or pheophytin b significantly reduced the nicotine content, whereas irradiation with red light in the presence of carotene did not reduce the nicotine content.

[0112] Example 6 The influence of the wavelength of the irradiated light on the nicotine reduction effect was investigated in Example 6. In Example 6, a mixture of a dandelion leaf extract and a nicotine solution was used as the raw material liquid instead of a tobacco leaf extract.

[0113] 6-1. Preparation of Tobacco Composition Substitutes Chlorophyll a fraction, chlorophyll b fraction, and carotene fraction were prepared in the same manner as in Example 5, where the chlorophyll a fraction, chlorophyll b fraction, and carotene fraction were prepared.

[0114] Mixtures (Samples 6A to 6C) were prepared by mixing any one of the chlorophyll a fraction, the chlorophyll b fraction, and the carotene fraction with a nicotine solution (a solution containing nicotine at a concentration of 0.625 mg / mL in hexane).

[0115] For each of the mixed solutions of Samples 6A to 6C, 50 μmol / m of red LED light with a peak wavelength of 660 nm, blue LED light with a peak wavelength of 450 nm, or green LED light with a peak wavelength of 555 nm was applied. ２ The mixture was irradiated with a photon flux density of 1 / s for 7 days, thereby preparing a "substitute for tobacco composition."

[0116] After irradiation, the nicotine content of each sample was analyzed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, Shimadzu Corporation) in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0117] 6-3. Results The analysis results of the nicotine content are shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9, the nicotine content is expressed as a relative value when the nicotine content before light irradiation is set to 1.

[0118] When chlorophyll a was present and irradiated with either red or blue light, nicotine was almost completely decomposed. In contrast, when chlorophyll a was present and irradiated with green light, the nicotine decomposition rate was lower than that of red and blue light.

[0119] Similarly, when chlorophyll b was irradiated with red and blue light, almost all of the nicotine was decomposed. In contrast, when chlorophyll a was irradiated with green light, the nicotine decomposition rate was lower than when chlorophyll a was irradiated with red and blue light.

[0120] Furthermore, as in Example 5, in the presence of carotene, nicotine was not decomposed regardless of the wavelength of light irradiation.

[0121] Example 7 In Example 7, a nicotine reagent was irradiated with red light in the presence of a photosynthetic pigment, and nicotine decomposition products were analyzed.

[0122] 7-1. Preparation of Tobacco Composition Substitutes Mixtures of Samples 7A to 7F were prepared in the same manner as the mixtures of Samples 5A to 5F in Example 5. Sample 7A: Mixture of a chlorophyll a fraction and a nicotine solution Sample 7B: Mixture of a chlorophyll b fraction and a nicotine solution Sample 7C: Mixture of a pheophytin a fraction and a nicotine solution Sample 7D: Mixture of a pheophytin b fraction and a nicotine solution Sample 7E: Mixture of a carotene fraction and a nicotine solution Sample 7F: Mixture of a dandelion leaf extract and a nicotine solution.

[0123] For each of the mixed solutions of Samples 7A to 7E, red LED light with a peak wavelength of 660 nm was irradiated at 180 μmol / m ２ The mixture was irradiated with red light at a photon flux density of 1 / s for 7 days. This resulted in the preparation of a "tobacco composition substitute." Note that the mixed solution of Sample 7F (control) was not irradiated with red light.

[0124] 7-2. Analysis Method: The mixed solutions of Samples 7A to 7E were analyzed for the amount of nicotine degradation products contained in each sample after light irradiation. The mixed solution of Sample 7F (control) was analyzed for nicotine degradation products without light irradiation. The analysis was performed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, Shimadzu Corporation), similar to the nicotine analysis.

[0125] 7-3. Results The analysis results of the content of nicotine decomposition products are shown in Figure 10. In Figure 10, the content of nicotine decomposition products is represented by the peak height (ratio to the internal standard) of the nicotine decomposition products detected by gas chromatograph mass spectrometer.

[0126] Nicotine decomposition products detected included cotinine, nicotine, myosmine, and ethyl nicotinate, the ethyl group of which is thought to be derived from ethanol used as the extraction solvent.

[0127] Nicotine is known to produce several decomposition products via multiple decomposition pathways, including one in which nicotine reacts with hydrogen peroxide to produce oxynicotine, which is then decomposed into cotinine, and another in which nicotine reacts with hydrogen peroxide to produce oxynicotine, which is then decomposed into nicotyrine via myosmine.

[0128] The nicotine degradation products detected in this example correspond to substances known as nicotine degradation products.

[0129] The following can be inferred from the results of Examples 1 and 5 to 7, as well as from known nicotine decomposition pathways. First, a photosynthetic pigment absorbs the energy of irradiated light. By transferring this light energy to substance X (e.g., water), substance X is oxidized to produce an oxide (e.g., hydrogen peroxide). Nicotine reacts with the oxide (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), and then nicotine is decomposed via known nicotine decomposition pathways.

Claims

1. A method for producing a tobacco composition, comprising irradiating a raw material liquid containing a photosynthetic pigment, selected from a tobacco leaf extract and a tobacco leaf dispersion, with light selected from red light and blue light, to obtain a tobacco composition having a lower nicotine content than the raw material liquid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the irradiating light has a peak wavelength in the range of 640 to 770 nm.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the irradiating light has a peak wavelength in the range of 430 to 490 nm.

4. The irradiation light is 50 μmol / m ２ The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the irradiation is carried out at a photon flux density of 1000 nm / s or more.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the irradiation light is applied for a period of one hour or more.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the raw material liquid is the extract liquid.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the extraction liquid is a non-aqueous solution.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the extract is an aqueous solution.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the raw material liquid is the dispersion liquid.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the dispersion is a water-based slurry.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising forming a coating film made of the dispersion liquid prior to the irradiation, and the irradiation light is applied to the coating film.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises drying the coating to obtain the tobacco composition in the form of a sheet.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said drying begins simultaneously with or after the start of said irradiation.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tobacco leaves are dried leaves obtained by drying fresh leaves harvested from tobacco plants.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tobacco leaves are fresh leaves harvested from a tobacco plant.

16. A tobacco composition produced by the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A flavor inhaler containing the tobacco composition of claim 16 as a tobacco flavor source.

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