High-pressure cold pasteurization of tobacco material

Abstract

A tobacco material having at least about 40% water based on the total weight, and having a storage stability of at least about 25 days is provided herein, wherein the storage stability is defined as an aerobic plate count below about 3,000,000 CFU/g. A method of treating a tobacco material to enhance storage stability is also provided herein, the method including receiving a tobacco material having at least about 40% water based on the total weight and subjecting the tobacco material to a process pressure of at least about 30,000 psi to form a high pressure processed tobacco material, wherein the high pressure processed tobacco material has a storage stability of at least about 25 days, and wherein the storage stability is defined as an aerobic plate count below about 3,000,000 CFU/g.

1 . A tobacco material having at least about 40% water based on the total weight, and having a storage stability of at least about 25 days, wherein the storage stability is defined as an aerobic plate count below about 3,000,000 CFU/g. 
     
     
         2 . The tobacco material of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco material is stored at about 37° C. 
     
     
         3 . The tobacco material of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco material is stored at about 4° C. 
     
     
         4 . The tobacco material of  claim 3 , wherein the storage stability is at least about 75 days. 
     
     
         5 . The tobacco material of  claim 4 , wherein the storage stability is at least about 100 days. 
     
     
         6 . The tobacco material of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco material is in the form of a particulate material. 
     
     
         7 . The tobacco material of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco material is in the form of an aqueous extract. 
     
     
         8 . A tobacco product incorporating the tobacco material of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The tobacco product of  claim 8 , wherein the tobacco product is a smoking article. 
     
     
         10 . The tobacco product of  claim 8 , wherein the tobacco product is a smokeless tobacco product. 
     
     
         11 - 23 . (canceled)