초록 ▼

A method of curing tobacco comprises drying a harvested tobacco plant in a controlled environment for a time sufficient to substantially prevent the formation of at least one nitrosamine. The tobacco is first subjected to the controlled environment while at least a majority of the tobacco is in a gr

A method of curing tobacco comprises drying a harvested tobacco plant in a controlled environment for a time sufficient to substantially prevent the formation of at least one nitrosamine. The tobacco is first subjected to the controlled environment while at least a majority of the tobacco is in a green state. The resulting cured tobacco usually has tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) levels which are undetectable and are similar to levels found in freshly harvested, green tobacco.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of curing harvested tobacco comprising: drying tobacco leaf in a controlled environment and for a time sufficient to substantially prevent formation of at least one nitrosamine, wherein the controlled environment comprises an airflow sufficient to substantially prevent an anaerobic condi

1. A method of curing harvested tobacco comprising: drying tobacco leaf in a controlled environment and for a time sufficient to substantially prevent formation of at least one nitrosamine, wherein the controlled environment comprises an airflow sufficient to substantially prevent an anaerobic condition around the vicinity of the leaf, and wherein the controlled environment is provided by controlling at least one of humidity, temperature, and airflow;wherein the tobacco leaf is first subjected to the controlled environment while it is uncured and at least a majority of the leaf is in a green state; andwherein a yellowing stage is omitted or yellowing is carried out for not more than 18 hours. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the air is heated to about 100° F. to about 250° F. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the air is heated to about 160° F. to about 170° F. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco leaf is dried for a treatment period ranging from about 2 to about 4 days. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is N′-nitrosonornicotine. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is 4-(N -nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is N′-nitrosoanatabine. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is N′-nitrosoanabasine. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco is a Virginia flue variety. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco is a Burley variety. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the yellowing stage is omitted. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein yellowing is carried out at a temperature of about 100 to 110° F. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein yellowing is carried out for about 12 hours to not more than 18 hours. 14. A method of bulk curing harvested tobacco comprising: placing harvested tobacco leaf in a curing barn;drying the tobacco leaf in a controlled environment and for a time sufficient to substantially prevent formation of at least one nitrosamine, wherein the controlled environment comprises an airflow sufficient to substantially prevent an anaerobic condition around the vicinity of the leaf, and wherein the controlled environment is provided by controlling at least one of humidity, temperature, and airflow;wherein the tobacco leaf is first subjected to the controlled environment while it is uncured and at least a majority of the leaf is in a green state; andwherein a yellowing stage is omitted or yellowing is carried out for not more than 18 hours. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the air is heated to about 100° F. to about 250° F. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the air is heated to about 160° F. to about 170° F. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the tobacco leaf is dried for a treatment period ranging from about 2 to about 4 days. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is N′-nitrosonornicotine. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is 4-(N -nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is N′-nitrosoanatabine. 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one nitrosamine is N′-nitrosoanabasine. 22. The method of claim 14, wherein the tobacco is a Virginia flue variety. 23. The method of claim 14, wherein the tobacco is a Burley variety. 24. The method of claim 14, wherein the yellowing stage is omitted. 25. The method of claim 14, wherein yellowing is carried out at a temperature of about 100 to 110° F. 26. The method of claim 14, wherein yellowing is carried out for about 12 hours to not more than 18 hours.