Use of a phenol oxidizing enzyme in the treatment of tobacco
US6298859A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA24B15/24
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A process for preparing tobacco, which process comprises the steps of treating a tobacco material with a phenol oxidising enzyme, such as by extracting tobacco with a solvent to provide an extract and a residue; and treating the extract with a phenol oxidising enzyme such as a laccase. An improved tobacco product having a reduced amount of phenolic compounds. This is an alternative or a supplement to a process in which the phenolic compounds are adsorbed onto the insoluble carrier polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP). In preferred embodiments, the process includes further steps of removing the oxidised phenolic compound, adding adsorbents such as bentonite; removing and/or inactivating the enzyme; and concentrating the extract. Preferred phenol oxidising enzymes are peroxidases and laccases. The thus treated extract is advantageously re-combined with the tobacco residue and further processed to provide a tobacco article for smoking.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.