Tobacco Documents Online

Describes laboratory studies in which "substantial increases in smoke pH and smoke impact [were] obtained by the application of certain calcium and potassium compounds" that naturally occur in tobacco. Proposes proper application of compounds "could be useful for improving cigarette impact and thus, consumer satisfaction." Notes that supplementation of naturally occurring compounds to increase alkalinity in cigarettes would eliminate need for "extensive toxicity studies."

States that the data on total amino acid content in tobacco blends was needed for two projects (E-134 and C-133). Reports that Analytical Biochemistry Labs determined the amino acid content by an analysis of the hydrolysate. Warns that with this method tryptophan is destroyed and possible reduction in amino acids by the slow reaction with carbonyl compounds during hydrolysis can occur. Presents levels of amino acids from the data broken down by cigarette brand; Kent, Marlboro, Vantage, True, and Zack. Includes an analysis for amino acids in burley, Turkish and flue-cured tobacco. States that high aspantic means high burley, high proline means high flue-cured, and high glutamine means high Turkish tobacco. Gives a general ratio of tobacco blend: if burley is increased, both flue-cured and Turkish must go down, unless flue-cured is increased dramatically relative to the Turkish. Finds a contradiction for Vantage and Marlboro brands. States that in both brands the asparlic acid and the proline levels are high, but in Vantage the glutamine is also high. Declares that these results are impossible unless Marlboro and Vantage are adding nitrogen containing additives to their tobacco. Investigates this premise by subtracting protein nitrogen and nicotine nitrogen from total nitrogen. Finds that nitrogen compounds are being added to Marlboro and Vantage, but not to Kent, True or Zack. Reveals that a patent search confirms that Philip Morris uses ammonium phosphate and Reynolds uses a Schiff base. Identifies a Schiff base as an aldehyde combined with a base such as ammonia. Anticipates the need to analyze tobaccos for Schiff bases, and surmises that liquid chromatography would be the most likely method to use.

Outlines the current status of the Continuation of Nicotine Augmentation Project [CONAP], says "development of flavorful, enjoyable and physiologically satisfying cigarettes which will deliver lower tar and reduced amounts of gas phase components, yet deliver nearly comparable quantities of nicotine" is crucial, requires a multi-faceted approach and lists personnel assigned to each project. States a thorough literature search will avoid duplication of efforts, notes the commercial sourcing of pure nicotine is integral as "One obvious means to increase the nicotine content...of low tar delivery cigarettes is to add nicotine to the tobacco." and lists internal nicotine sources including: waste tobacco, drier exhaust, and processing-transfer. States nicotine can be applied to total blend or components, that less than 1% nicotine alkaloid [as tartarate] provides impact, and additions will be restricted to reconstituted leaf [RL] or puffed tobacco. States further research of chemical treatment with ammonia and other materials will continue with the objective to increase free nicotine content of smoke, air dilution cigarette construction indicates tar/nicotine ratios can be manipulated and smoke and leaf pH studies remain current. Indicates a focus on reduction of nicotine pyrolysis to increase nicotine delivery, filter materials selective for nicotine passage, and reducing volatile humectants to increase flavor and nicotine in delivered tar. Says plasticizers increase the weight of tar and a less volatile plasticizer be explored. Says literature searches for the physiological effects of nicotine will continue for new information, that nicotine/tar ratios of competitive brands be monitored for elevations beyond the norm, and further exploration of novel flavor supplements may make low tar cigarettes acceptable. States additional studies using nicotine salts for impact or physiological effects be pursued, safety rules for nicotine handling be defined and notes the cooperative efforts of Research and Product Development are required to meet the immediate and long range Marketing Department objectives.

Reports a simple extraction method for the simultaneous measurement of nicotine and menthol. Says this method is used to study the effects of air dilution on puff-by-puff deliveries of nicotine and menthol. Finds increased air dilution enriches the nicotine content of tar more than menthol and this procedure is useful for analyzing cigarette filler.

Proposes continuation of grant to study the effects of nicotine, metabolites and /or alkaloids on the Central Nervous System [CNS] of animals and humans. Indicates this is an important area of research and submits progress report. Reports behavioral and EEG changes in cats at the 5-10 microgm/kg of nicotine doseage and proposes further studies of nicotine and related alkaloids on the limbic, hypothalamic and cerebral cortex before and after the use of blocking drugs be used to correlate them with behavior. Says nicotine alkaloids in tobacco smoke and metabolites of nicotine including cotinine need further study and human studies will include normal human and selected psychiatric patients. Indicates continued studies on the effects of nicotine and related alkaloids on learning in animals will be employed and remarks "These studies have not been pursued sufficiently and require the attention of a full time technician."