A lid for curing organic plants. The lid is configured to be secured onto a contain with an open top, wherein the lid includes a gasket located on the bottom side of the lid, wherein the lid further includes one or more valves configured to prevent air from entering the container when the lid is secured, wherein the valve is further configured to allow air to escape the container and enter the container when actuated, wherein the lid includes a plurality of numbers associated with a calendar date and a calendar month annularly arranged on a top surface of the lid, and wherein the lid further includes a plurality of tabs, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to move bi-directionally and include an opening configured to align and display the plurality of numbers.

Bacteriophage against Geobacillus are provided, and methods of making and using the bacteriophage also are provided.

A lid for curing organic plants. The lid is configured to be secured onto a contain with an open top, wherein the lid includes a gasket located on the bottom side of the lid, wherein the lid further includes one or more valves configured to prevent air from entering the container when the lid is secured, wherein the valve is further configured to allow air to escape the container and enter the container when actuated, wherein the lid includes a plurality of numbers associated with a calendar date and a calendar month annularly arranged on a top surface of the lid, and wherein the lid further includes a plurality of tabs, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to move bi-directionally and include an opening configured to align and display the plurality of numbers.

Methods of fermenting a tobacco material and methods of modifying the total bacterial content of a tobacco material are provided herein. One example method includes treating a tobacco material with superheated steam in a pressurized vessel to provide a steam-treated tobacco material having a reduced total bacteria content and fermenting the steam-treated tobacco material in the presence of one or more microorganisms to provide a fermented tobacco material. In some embodiments, the methods provided herein can provide a fermented tobacco material having a tobacco-specific nitrosamine content that is reduced relative to a fermented tobacco material that has not been subjected to the disclosed method steps and/or a modified flavor or aroma profile relative to a fermented tobacco material that has not been subjected to the disclosed method steps.

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.

A method includes heating a vacuum chamber to a first predetermined temperature, and providing an organic plant material within the vacuum chamber. A vaporizer is heated to a second predetermined temperature, and is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is evacuated to a a first predetermined, sub-atmospheric pressure using a vacuum pump. A liquid reagent is injected into the vaporizer such that the liquid reagent transforms into a gaseous/aerosolized reagent. The gaseous/aerosolized reagent is introduced into the vacuum chamber. After waiting a predetermined duration, a sterilization of the organic plant material is achieved. The vacuum chamber is then vented to atmospheric pressure, and the vacuum chamber is again evacuated, to a second predetermined, sub-atmospheric pressure, to remove a reagent residue from the organic plant material, followed by a second venting of the vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure.

The disclosure provides products configured for oral use, the products including a mixture of a particulate filler component, a cellulose derivative, water, and one or more flavoring agents. The products exhibit greater stability over time with respect to flavor component concentration than comparative products which do not contain a cellulose derivative.

The disclosure provides products configured for oral use, the products including a mixture of a particulate filler, water, one or more organic acids, and one or more flavoring agents, the product having a pH value of less than about 7.0. The products exhibit greater stability over time with respect to whiteness and/or flavor component concentration than products which do not contain one or more organic acids.

Provided is an oral tobacco product that includes, as constituent elements, a tobacco filler and a liquid-permeable packaging material for packaging the tobacco filler, wherein the packaging material includes a tobacco material, and the weight of solids in the packaging material is 11.0 g/m.sup.2 or greater.

The disclosure provides a method for improving the storage stability of a moist smokeless tobacco product configured for oral use, for example, a moist snuff tobacco product. The moist smokeless tobacco product includes a tobacco formulation containing a tobacco material. The method includes mixing the tobacco material with one or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives to form the tobacco formulation. The disclosure also provides a moist smokeless tobacco product incorporating a tobacco material and one or more antioxidants and one or more preservatives. Such moist smokeless tobacco products exhibit improved storage stability with respect to one or more characteristics such as nitrite, tobacco specific nitrosamine, organic acid, pH, and moisture content.