Anne Landman's Collection
Ammonia Treatment of Tobacco
Abstract
This report from the Lorillard tobacco company discusses means of increasing "free" nicotine in tobacco. Nicotine in "free" form (as opposed to "bound" nicotine) is more readily absorbed by the smoker. The reason tobacco companies value free nicotine in tobacco is because it produces an "organoleptic effect" in the smoker. Dorland's Ilustrated Medical Dictionary (25th Edition) defines "organoleptic" as "making an impression on an organ of special sense." Many interpret this as the drug-effect of nicotine.
The document states that as tar levels decrease in cigarettes, so too does the amount of nicotine. Therefore, "the smoker desires more organoleptic effect than the low tar cigarette delivers." Lorillard wanted to enhance the organoleptic effect of nicotine by increasing the amount of free nicotine in smoke. They mention several ways of doing this, the most promising of which was treating tobacco with ammonia or ammonium ion. They determined this was inexpensive and safer than adding metal alkali.
Also of interest is the fact that they mention that treating tobacco with ammonia decreases its combustibility. This may be a reason why tobacco companies add chemicals to cigarette paper that keep cigarettes burning.
User-Contributed Notes
Fields
- Notes
This document was used as a trial exhibit in Broin, Florida, Missouri, Texas, Minnsota and Washington.
- Quotes
INTRODUCTION
During the past year the introduction of low yeild tar and nicotine cigarettes has been greater than any timein the history of the cigarette industry. Low tar cigarette (15 milligrams and under) production has increased from 10.9 percent in 1975 to 16.4 percent for the third wuarter of 1976...As the value for the tar decreases, the value for nicotine decreases. The smoker desires a more organoleptic effect than the low tar cigarettes delivers. By increasing the ration of free nicotine to bound nicotine in the tobacco this effect will occur. "Nicotine in basic tobacco smoke (pH 8.0) is absorbed much more readily through the mucous membrane of the mouth than is nicotine in acid tobacco smoke (pH 5.6) because of the higher concentration of unprotonated nicotine in basic smoke." (2) Several methods of incresing the free nicotine to tobacco, (2) the use of tobacco blends which have a high pH and high percent of nicotine, (3) the treatment of tobacco with a base, and (4) the air dilution of cigarette smoke by the use of special paper and filters. The pH of smoke from non-diluted filters range from 5.0 to 6.0 while the pH of smoke from air diluted dilters may be increased to 7.5. The reason for increasing the pH and increasing the nicotine to tar ratio is to make low tar cigarettes more acceptable to the smoker.
If tobacco is treated with ammonia gas, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate or ammonium hydroxide, the ammonia gas or ammonium ion will react with the nicotine salts to release the "free" nicotine. The pH of the treated tobacco will be higher due to the ammonia of ammonium ion treatment. The reason ammonia or ammonium ionis used for the treatment of tobacco are (1) ammonia is slightly stronger base than nicotine for the freeing of the nicotine from its salts, (2) ammonia is present in untreated tobacco and tobacco smoke, (3) the price is economical, (4) the treatment should be easier and safer than a "free" nicotine additive, and (5) the treatment with metallic alkali may cause adverse effects on tobacco and to its smoke. An increase in ammonia is linked to a decrease in combustibility, while the increase of potassium salts of acids and increase aerations (puffing) results in better combustibility. (3) In the ammonia or other alkaline treatment of tobacco care should be taken in the drying process to prevent the loss of nicotine.
- Company
- Lorillard Inc.
- Author
- Routh, W.E.
- Recipient
- Lorillard Tobacco Co., Inc.
Document Images
Accession number 968
L®re®Bard Researeli Center
Greensboro
AMMONIA TREATMENT OF TOBACCO
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Submitted by: w. E. Routh
Report number:
Summary or Abstract:
Date:?/17/7?
. True 85 tobacco was treated with ammonium hydroxide
and ammonium carbonate with and without the addition of
nicotine. The ammonium hydroxide additions were made with
alcohol and with water. Eighty percent of the ammonia
added was lost or not available for ammonia analysis due
to chemical reaction with carbohydrates (13). A decrease
in total reducing sugars was noted. The addition of ammonium
ions to tobacco with or without nicotine at 0.5% level
-decreased the overall acceptability of the cigarette while
the taste amplitude and impact are unchanged or higher as
.compared to the control by the smoker. The level of TVB
.was in the same range as the Philip Morris brands.
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Dr.
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INTRODUCTION
During the past year the introduction of'low yield tar
and nicotine cigarettes has been greater than any time in
the history of the cigarette industry. Low tar cigarette
(15 milligrams and under) production has increased from
10.9 percent in 1975 to 16.4 percent for the third quarter
of 1976, according to Maxwell (1). As the value for the tar
decreases, the value for nicotine decreases. The smoker
desires more organoleptic effect than the low tar cigarettes
delivers. By increasing the ratio of free nicotine to bound
nicotine in the tobacco this effect will occur. "Nicotine
in basic tobacco smoke (pH 8.0) is abosrbed much more readily
through the mucous membrane of the mouth than is nicotine
in acid tobacco smoke (pH 5.6) because of the higher con-
centration of unprotonated nicotine in basic smoke" (2).
Several methods of increasing the free nicotine have been
studied, namely: (1) the addition of free nicotine to tobacco,
(2) the use of tobacco blends which have high pH and high
percent of nicotine, (3) the treatment of tobacco with a
base, and' (4) the air dilution of cigarette smoke by the
use of special paper and filters. The ratio of nicotine
to tar is in the order of 0.06 to 0.07 for cellulose acetate
filters without air dilution. With air dilution filters the
ratio of nicotine to tar will range from 0.07 to 0.12. The
pH of smoke from non-diluted filters range from!5.0 to 6.0
while the pH of smoke from air diluted filters may be
increased to 7.5. The reason for increasing the pH and
increasing the nicotine to tar ratio is to make low tar
cigarettes more acceptable for the smoker.
If tobacco is treated with ammonia gas, ammonium bi-
carbonate, ammonium carbonate or ammonium hydroxide, the
ammonia gas or ammonium ion will react with the nicotine
salts to release the "free" nicotine. The pH of the treated
tobacco will be higher due to the ammonia or ammonium ion
treatment.
The reason ammonia or ammonium ion is used for the
treatment of tobacco are (1) ammonia is slightly stronger base
than nicotine for the freeing of the nicotine from its salts.(2),
ammonia is present in untreated tobacco and tobacco smoke,
(3) the price is economical, (4) the treatment should be
easier and safer than a "free" nicotine additive, and (5)
the treatment with metalic alkali may cause adverse effects
on tobacco and to its smoke. An increase in ammonia is
linked to a decrease in combustibility, while the increase
of potassium salts of acids and increase in aerations
(puffing) results in better combustibility. (3) In the
ammonia or other alkaline treatment of tobacco care should
be taken in the drying process to prevent the loss of nicotine.0
Tyres and Tyres used ammonia and steam on heated tobacco in O~
their de-nicotinizing process. (4). ~
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The object of this series of experiments is to study
the effect of ammonia on True 85 tobacco. The ammonium ion
was used instead of ammonia gas because the equipment in the
pilot plant is designed for spraying!of liquids. The ammonium
ions to be tested in this series were associated with the
hydroxide and carbonate ions.
EXPERIMENTAL
The True 85 tobacco was obtained from the Greensboro
Branch cut-storage. The 140 pounds of tobacco was divided
into seven equal samples. The control sample was #6066.
Three hundred and twenty-four grams of concentrated ammonium
hydroxide in one liter of 95% ethyl alcohol was sprayed on
sample #6067. On sample #6068 one liter of water and 324 grams
of concentrated ammonium hydroxide was sprayed. Nicotine
and ammonium hydroxide, 45.4 and"324 grams respectively, in
95% ethyl alcohol was sprayed on sample #6069. In sample #6070
the ethyl alcohol was replaced by water. The level of
treatment was the same. Ammonium carbonate in water was sprayed
on samples #6071 and #6072. The amount of application was
192 grams each. Sample #6072 was also treated with 45.4 grams
of nicotine.
The application of ammoni~.:m ions and nicotine was
accomplished in the large cylinder in the pilot plant. !~
The samples which were sprayed with water as carrier were
dried in the pilot plant cylind'er dryer. All samples were
stored overnight before making True 85 milliliter cigarettes.
RESULTS
Tobacco analyses were taken before the cigarettes were
made. These results are shown in Table #1. The values for
ammonia were lower than one would expect. These values were
in line with those on Philip Morris brands. In most samples
80% of the ammonia was lost. This loss in ammonia may be due
to spraying, drying, or an excess of ammonia for the reaction
with tobacco. The sugar values were lower on all samples
than on the control. The total nitrogen and TVB were
increased as one would expect from a treatment with ammonium
ions. The pH values for tobacco were higher on the treated
samples than on the control.
Cigarettes were submitted for smoke analysis from all
seven samples. These cigarettes were smoked only as filter
cigarettes. All CPM values for the samples were within the
standard deviations of the control. The nicotine values
were higher on samples which had the 0.5% addition of
nicotine. The pH of the smoke was above seven on all treated
samples except one. These results are shown in Table #2.
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This series of cigarettes were given to Terry Jessup
for organoleptical evaluation. The addition of ammonium
hydroxide or ammonium carbonate to tobacco at the 1% ammonia
level treatment (0.20% by analysis) with or without the 0.5%
addition of nicotine decreased the overall acceptability of
the cigarettes to the smoker. The taste amplitude and impact
of all treated cigarettes were as high or higher than the
control. These results are in Table #3. Since the level of
TVB on the treated samples were that of Philip Morris brands,
True 85 blend may have too much burley tobacco for ammonia
treatment which results in an unbalanced cigarette for
smoking. .
FUTURE PLANS
Studies should be made with ammonia gas to determine
the amount of ammonia needed' to "free nicotine" without an
excess of ammonia. A negative influence on smoking quality
occurs as the amount of ammonia increases. (5,6) There are
suggestions that ammonia and nicotine react with sugars in
casing materials since there is less evolution of ammonia
and nicotine in precased tobacco. (7) Most of the alkalinity
in tobacco smoke is due to the ammonia content. (8) The taste
sensation of alkaline tobacco is higher and' the smoke is V4
slightly sharp. (9)
Glassware has been ordered for an ammonia treatment
apparatus. This apparatus will enable the user to determine
how much reacts with the tobacco. The tobacco will be
analyzed for ammonia, pH and "free nicotine" before and
after treatment with ammonia. The volume of each side of
the glass apparatus (see Figure #'l) will be determined. The
tobacco will be weighed before 'treatment. The weight of the
tobacco will be used to determine the amount of space occupied
by tobacco. Both sides will be subjected to a vacuum of one
hundred millimeters mercury absolute or less. The pressure
of each side of the apparatus will be measured and recorded.
Ammonia gas will be introduced into the ammonia side of the
apparatus until the pressure is about 700 millimeters mercury
absolute. Ammonia will be introduced into the reaction side
from the ammonia storage side of the apparatus. The change
in pressure will be recorded in order to determine the amount
of ammonia that reacts with the known amount of tobacco.
Analysis will be made on the tobacco with time to study the
loss of ammonia and nicotine plus changes in "free nicotine"
and pH. Sample cigarettes will be made to determine accept-
ability or improvement derived from this treatment.
O
Some work has been done on "free nicotine" on tobacco ~
but the method for the determination is not complete. Nicotine ~
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salts of malic, citric, succinic, and oxalic acid are
insoluble in petroleum ether while the nicotine salts
of lower fatty acids (acetic, butygric and others) are
soluble according to Garner (10). The term "free nicotine"
is regarded as the nicotine that is distilled or extracted
by organic solvents such as petroleum ether without the I
addition of alkali (11). This type of work is very important
since it is the only way the effect of ammonia treatment
of tobacco can be tested except by taste panel.
Another ammonia type of treatment would be the puffing
of tobacco with ammonia and carbon dioxide (12). Tobacco
treatment with ammonia will darken when exposed to air if
over 2 percent addition of ammonia (12). When the ammonia
treated tobacco is penetrated with carbon dioxide, the
tobacco is stable before puffing (12). Ammonia and carbon
dioxide treatment can be performed in the same glassware
which has been ordered for the ammonia treatment. The
tobacco can be puffed on the laboratory expansion tower
which is not under construction. The dryer is fed with
steam/air (5:1) at about 2000 feet per second (12). The
temperatures are 550°F inlet and 450°F at outlet.
SUMMARY
True 85 tobacco was treated with ammonium hydroxide
and ammonium carbonate with and without the addition of
nicotine. The ammonium hydroxide additions were made with
alcohol and with water. Eighty percent of the ammonia
added was lost or not available for ammonia analysis due
to chemical reaction with carbohydrates (13). A decrease
in total reducing sugars was noted. The addition of ammonium
ions to tobacco with or without nicotine at 0.5% level
decreased the overall acceptability of the cigarette while
the taste amplitude and impact are unchanged or higher as
compared to the control by the smoker. The level of TVB
was in the same range as the Philip Morris brands.
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REFERENCES
1. Maxwell, J.C., The 1976 Maxwell Report on Cigarettes,
Tobacco Reporter, 103, No. 11, 16 (1976)
2. Morie, G.P., Fraction of Protonates and Unprotonated
Nicotine in Tobacco Smoke at.Various pH Values, Tobacco
Science, XVI, 167 (1972)
3. Albo, J. P., J. Deletang and J. Chouteau, Correlations
and Multiple Regressions between the Combustibility and
Certain Physics - Chemical Characteristics of Fermented
D~ark Tobacco, Ann. Tab., Sect. 2, 1974, (11), 49-55.
(France)
4. Tyrer, D. and D. D. Tyrer, Process of Improving the
Smoking Qualities of Tobacco, US 2,914,072;' 1959, 4 p
5. Nikolin, B., A. Nikolin and H. Butmic, Colorimetric
Determinationof Ammonia in Tobacco, Tobacco Science,
XVIII, 10 (1972)
6. Shmuk, A.A., The Chemistry and Technology of Tobacco,
Volume III, Pishchepromizdat, Moscow, 1953, p. 11
7. Kaburaki, Y., Y. Masuo, K. Ozawa and M. Kamiya, Evoluti,pns
of Some Components from,Tobacco Leaves with Casing on ~-
Heating. Nippon Sambai Kosha Chuo Kenkyusho Kenkyu
Hokoku 113, 175-8 (1971) (Japan)
8. Shmuk, A. A., The Chemistry and Technology of Tobacco,
Volume III, Pishchepromizdat, Moscow, 1953, p._12.
9. ibid, p 8
10. ibid, p 68
11. ibid, p 10
12. Armstrong, R. G., E. J. Deszck, J. W. Madures and R. H.
Young, Process for Puffing Tobacco, US'3,771,533, Philip
Morris Incorporated, N.Y., N.Y., 1973, 6p
13. Grimmett, M. R., Formation~of Heterocyclic Compounds
from Carbohydrates and Ammonia, Rev. Pure and
Chem. 15, 101-8 (1965)
TABLE #1
Tobacco Analyses of Control True Blue
85mm Tobacco and Treated Samples
Sample # N TVB Nic Volume Ash Sugar NH3 pH
6066 2.51 0.41 1.68 272, 17.5 6.7 0.13 5.42
6067 3.07 1.01 1.60 287 17.7 5.6 0.41 5.80
6068 3.02 0.96 1.62 285 17.1 6.5 0.33 5.97
6069* 3.20 1.01 2.08 274 17.-5 . 6.1 0.32 5.91
6070 2.88 0.79 2.06 295 17.2. 6.4 0:33 5.98
6071 2.87 0.74 1.68 300 17.5 6.2 0:31 5.94
6072 2.93 0.87 2.20 . 299
....... 17.3 6.5 .0.30 6.01
.
TABLE #2
Smoke Analyses of Control True Blue
85mm Tobacco and Treated Samples
Sample # , Wt. P. D.
.. .. ; DPM
.......... : Nicotine
............ CPM Puff pH
.
6066
857+.007
80.4+8.4
.6.9+.4 .
:.46 +.01
6.'5+.4
5.'6+.2 .
6.60
6067 906+.006 80.1+6.2 '6.8+.9 -.47 +.04 6.'4+.8 6.,4+.2 6.00
6068 937+.006 81.2+6.7 7.0+.4 ..49 +.01 6.,5+.4 6.8+.2 7.04
6069 915+.002 93.6+7.7 7.3+.2 .59 +.02 6.7+.2 6.6+.1 7.27
6070 931+.008 93.6+9.4 6.8+.8 ..57 +..05 6.3+.8 '7.1+.2 7.14
I
6071 863+.005 84.0+6.2 7.5+.7 :.50 + .05 7.0+.6 5.9+.3 7.12 O
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6072 942+.007 92.7+6.4 .7.6+.7 .62 +.03 7.0+.6 !,6.9+.1 7.11
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TABLE #3
Oral Smoking'Results by Terry Jessup or
Control True Blue 85 mm Tobacco and Treated
Samples
Test SAMPLE NUMBERS
6066 6067 6068 6069 6070! 6071 6072
Impact 10 10 10 11.5 12 -..10 12
Taste Amp. 10 11 10 12 12 13 12
Overall Accept.l0 8 8.5 6.5 7 -5 6.5
Comments w P- cn bd W N- t°, cn tr' En
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Sample No. 6066
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Type of Cigarette 85 mm True
Batch Size 20 pounds
. ,
)riginal Reques t Made By Mr. M. S. Ireland on September 24, 1976
3ample Specifications Written By W. E. Routh
3LEND CASING RECASING
True 85 True85 True 85
~igarettes
Maker AMF
Length 85 mm
Circumference ' 25.0 mm
Weight ' 87 g
Pressure Drop To be determined
Filter Length 25.0 mm
Paper ' 540 HC
.Tipping Paper 64 mm True Blue
9 lines
F2rappi ng
(abe).s , N.A.
Closures ~~
'rear Tape.
Carto,is m
Markings "
Requirements
Laboratory 3500 cigts.
Other
Laboratory Analysis
FINAL FLAVOR MENTIIOL
True 85
Filters
Kind True 85 Production
Process
Rod Length
Pressure Drop
Circumference
m
m
m
Control
weignt ~~
Plasticizer ~~
Plug 4lrap___ ~~
Responsibility
Tobacco Blend' Ammons/Routh
Filter Production Pro .
Making &-p-aek-ing W. E. Rout
Shipping
Sample Requisition
.[Form 02:02:061
Special Requirements
Ppor ts ' Leaf Analysis, Smoke
Analysis, Leaf pFi,
Smoke pIi
Written by W. E. Routh C
Original to Ms . M. S Ir
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Sample No. 6067
l_'.L i.. , 1 J I V
Tyhe of Cigarctte 85 min Tr.uc .
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Batch Size 20 Pound s
riginal Request Made By Ms. M. S. Ireland on September 24, 1976 '
ample Specifications Written By W. E. Routh
IEND CASIN'G RECASING FINAL FLAVOR MENTIIOL
~rue 85 . True85 .True 85 True 85
.
. 1% NH3
(as NII4OH) ,
1n
'igarettes
Filters EtOH
Maker AMF Kind True 85 Production
Length 85 mcn
Circumference 25.0 mm Process ~~
We igh t' 8 7 g, Rod Length m
Pressure Drop To be det ermined Pressure Drop m
Filter Length 25.0 mm Circumference m
Paper 540 HC weignt ~~ -- --
Paper
.Tipping 64 mm Tru e Blue Plasticizer ~~
- 9 lines P lug F-Ir ap,__ ~~
.
, pping
.abels
Closures
Tear ?'ap-e
Cartons
m
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Markings "
Requirements
Laboratory 350Qcigts.
Other
Laboratory Analysis
Re_ ports
Leaf Analysis, Smoke
Analysis, Leaf pIi,
-Smoke pH
Written by 11. r. Roi,th
Original to Ft. S. Trc-l-,nd __
Copies to Dr. l' J. ;:c-hu] t z
nr. Ir. ,7. Minnem e: r
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IZespons ibi li ty
Tobacco Blend Ammons/Routh
Filter Production Prod.
Making W. E. Rout i
Shipping
Sample Requisition
[Form 02:02:061
Special ReQuir-ements
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