Tobacco or non-tobacco product comprising magnesium carbonate

Abstract

There is provided a tobacco product or a non-tobacco snuff product, including a magnesium carbonate, for conferring pH stability to the product and preventing growth of bacteria and fungi therein. The magnesium carbonate may contain hydroxide, oxide, and crystal water. The amount of magnesium carbonate ranges from 0.01 and 30% by weight of the dry bulk material. The product may be combined with additional pH regulators. The magnesium carbonate significantly increase the pH-stability in snus and non-tobacco snuff at the normal pH-range used in these products. The final product, which may be oral snuff or snus, or any tobacco-free snuff product, may be in particulate form, or shaped in a variety of forms. The product may be an oral product. The product may be packaged in a box, can or canister. Use of a magnesium carbonate for producing the products is also described.

Claims

1. A moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product, comprising: a pouch containing loose tobacco; water; admixed magnesium carbonate; and a pH-regulator selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium hydroxide, and phosphates, or any combination thereof, wherein the water is present in an amount of from 30 to 60% by weight of the oral tobacco snuff or snus product; and wherein the admixed magnesium carbonate and the pH regulator are present in an amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product between a pH of 8 to 9 after storage at room temperature for at least 90 days.

2. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the magnesium carbonate is of a formula MgCO.sub.3.XH.sub.2O and/or of a formula Mg(CO.sub.3).sub.y(OH).sub.z.XH.sub.2O, wherein X, y and z each independently represent a number from 0 to 5.

3. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the magnesium carbonate is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 30% by weight of the dry bulk material.

4. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the magnesium carbonate is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight of the dry bulk material.

5. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the magnesium carbonate is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 5% by weight of the dry bulk material.

6. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product is in a particulate form.

7. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, further packaged in a box, can or canister.

8. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the magnesium carbonate is anhydrous magnesite (MgCO.sub.3).

9. An oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product, comprising: a pouch containing loose non-tobacco bulk plant fiber material; a pH-regulator selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium hydroxide, and phosphates, or any combination thereof; and admixed magnesium carbonate, wherein the oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product does not contain any tobacco, and wherein the admixed magnesium carbonate and the pH regulator are provided in an amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product between a pH of 8 to 9 after storage at room temperature for at least 90 days.

10. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the magnesium carbonate is of a formula MgCO.sub.3.XH.sub.2O or of a formula Mg(CO.sub.3).sub.y(OH).sub.z.XH.sub.2O, wherein X, y and z each independently represent a number from 0 to 5.

11. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the magnesium carbonate is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 30% by weight of the dry bulk material.

12. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the magnesium carbonate is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight of the dry bulk material.

13. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the magnesium carbonate is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 5% by weight of the dry bulk material.

14. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product is in a particulate form.

15. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, further packaged in a box, can or canister.

16. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the magnesium carbonate is anhydrous magnesite (MgCO.sub.3).

17. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, further comprising a humectant in an amount of from 2 to 10% by weight of the total product.

18. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 17, wherein the humectant comprises propylene glycol.

19. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, further comprising sodium chloride in an amount of from 1 to 5% by weight of the total product.

20. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, further comprising a humectant in an amount of from 2 to 10% by weight of the total product.

21. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 20, wherein the humectant comprises propylene glycol.

22. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, further comprising sodium chloride in an amount of from 1 to 5% by weight of the total product.

23. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, further comprising water in an amount of from 30 to 60% by weight of the total product.

24. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product has a pH of 8 to 8.5.

25. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product has a pH of 8.5 to 9.

26. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product has a pH of 8.5.

27. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product has a pH of 8 to 8.5.

28. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product has a pH of 8.5 to 9.

29. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product has a pH of 8.5.

30. The moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 1, wherein the admixed magnesium carbonate and the pH regulator are present in an amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the moist oral tobacco snuff or snus product between 8 to 9 after storage at room temperature for at least half a year.

31. The oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product according to claim 9, wherein the admixed magnesium carbonate and the pH regulator are present in an amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the oral non-tobacco snuff or snus product between 8 to 9 after storage at room temperature for at least half a year.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 graphically depicts the part of unprotonized nicotine at various pH values in a diluted water solution.

(2) FIG. 2 graphically depicts the change in pH of the loose snus reference sample 851 R and the sample containing magnesium hydroxy carbonate 851M, respectively, during storage at room temperature and refrigerated storage, respectively.

(3) FIG. 3 graphically depicts the change in pH of the portion snus samples 881 R (reference) and 881 M (containing magnesium hydroxy carbonate), respectively, during storage at room temperature and refrigerated storage, respectively.

(4) FIG. 4 graphically depicts the change in pH of the portion snus samples 881 RL (reference) and 881 ML, the latter containing magnesium hydroxy carbonate, during storage at room temperature and refrigerated storage, respectively.

(5) FIG. 5 graphically depicts the change in pH of loose snus admixed with two different kinds of magnesium carbonates, respectively, during storage at room temperature.

(6) FIG. 6 shows pH comparison between portion snus containing sodium carbonate (soda), and soda and magnesium carbonate (MgCO.sub.3), respectively. Samples stored in a climate chamber (30 C., 60% relative humidity).

(7) FIG. 7 shows a pH comparison between loose snus containing sodium carbonate (soda), and soda and magnesium carbonate (MgCO.sub.3), respectively. Samples stored at room temperature.

(8) FIG. 8 graphically depicts the change in pH of loose snus admixed with soda and different amounts of magnesium carbonates, respectively, compared with a sample only containing sodium carbonate as additive. Samples stored at room temperature.

(9) FIG. 9 graphically depicts the change in pH of non-tobacco oral snuff comprising 1% MgCO.sub.3 stored at room temperature, compared with a reference sample of non-tobacco oral snuff devoid of MgCO3, stored at room temperature.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

(10) The method of production of tobacco and non-tobacco oral products used is in accordance with the Swedish Match quality standard for snus GothiaTek, which has been previously described in e.g. patent applications SE 06 009 58-3 and PCT/SE2007/050792. This and other means for manufacture of tobacco products and non-tobacco snuff products are well within the scope of the competence of the person skilled in the art, who readily appreciates that the constituent parts of the products may be exchanged for similar constituents. Below, specific illustrative examples are given for showing the storage capability of snus in accordance with the invention, compared with corresponding products comprising sodium carbonate as the sole pH regulating agent.

(11) Measurement of pH in Snus

(12) For all pH measurements described herein, 5 grams of the product is weighed in using a 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask. 100 ml of distilled water is added, whereupon the mixture is stirred for 10 minutes with a magnetic stirrer at 300 r/min. The pH-meter is calibrated (according to the manufacturer's instructions) using buffers with the respective pH-values of 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0. For correctness of readings, the sample solutions shall be analyzed within one hour.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 (See FIG. 2)

(13) Snus was manufactured in accordance with the GothiaTek standard with NaCl and soda according to recipe 851. Sample 851 R (reference) was not further treated. To sample 851 M, 1% (of the end product) of magnesium carbonate (CAS-number 546-93-0, UnivarFiskefood AB, Box 4072, Kalendegatan 26, SE-203 11 Malm, Sweden, product no. MA2725) was added. Both samples were packed as loose snuff (snus) in standard cardboard cans. Each sample was stored at room temperature and in refrigerator (4-8 C.), respectively. pH was measured on day 1 and 3 and subsequently every week until 105 days had passed. FIG. 2 shows the pH-time graph. The experiment shows that addition of MgCO.sub.3 and storage at room temperature gives about the same stabilizing effect, as cold storage without MgCO.sub.3.

Example 2 (See FIG. 3)

(14) Snus was manufactured in accordance with the GothiaTek standard with NaCl and soda according to recipe 881. Sample 881 R (reference) was not further treated. To sample 881 M, 1% (of the end product) of magnesium carbonate (CAS-number 546-93-0, UnivarFiskefood AB, Box 4072, Kalendegatan 26, SE-203 11 Malm, Sweden, product no. MA2725) was added. Both samples were filled into pouches to portion snuff (snus) and packed in standard plastic cans. Each sample was stored at room temperature and in refrigerator (4-8 C.), respectively. pH was measured on day 1 and 3 and subsequently every week until 105 days had passed. FIG. 3 shows the pH-time graph. This shows that the invention is suitable for snus-pouches.

Example 3 (See FIG. 4)

(15) Snus was manufactured in accordance with the GothiaTek standard with NaCl and reduced soda addition. Sample 881 RL (reference) was not further treated. To sample 881 ML, 1% (of the end product) of magnesium carbonate (CAS-number 546-93-0, UnivarFiskefood AB, Box 4072, Kalendegatan 26, SE-203 11 Malm, Sweden, product no. MA2725) was added. Both samples were filled into pouches to portion snuff (snus) and packed in standard plastic cans. Each sample was stored at room temperature and in refrigerator (4-8 C.), respectively. pH was measured on day 1 and 3 and subsequently every week until 105 days had passed. FIG. 4 shows the pH-time graph.

Example 4 (See FIG. 5)

(16) Snus was manufactured in accordance with the GothiaTek standard with NaCl and soda addition according to recipe 881. To a sample containing the magnesium carbonate denominated Merck, 1% (of the end product) of magnesium hydroxy carbonate (CAS-number 12125-28-9, E. Merck AB, Frsundaviks All 1, 169 70 Solna, Sweden, product no. 1.05829.9040) was added and to the sample containing the magnesium carbonate termed Univar, 1% (of the end product) of magnesium carbonate (CAS-number 546-93-0, UnivarFiskefood AB, Box 4072, Kalendegatan 26, SE-203 11 Malm, Sweden, product no. MA2725) was added. Both samples were packed as loose snuff (snus) in standard cardboard cans. Samples were stored at room temperature. pH was measured every week until 140 days had passed. FIG. 5 shows the pH-time graph. Both types of MgCO.sub.3 had about the same stabilizing effect.

Example 5 (See FIGS. 6 and 7)

(17) Snus was manufactured in accordance with the GothiaTek standard with NaCl and soda addition. To a sample named MgCO.sub.3, 1% (of the end product) of magnesium hydroxy carbonate (CAS-number 39409-82-0, Riedel-de Han, Sigma-Aldrich, Sweden, product no. 13 117) was added and to the sample named Soda no such addition was made. Both samples were packed as loose snus in standard plastic cans. Samples were stored at room temperature (FIG. 7) and in a climate chamber (FIG. 6) at 30 C. and 60% relative humidity, respectively. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the pH at various times. As can be seen when comparing the graphs, the ageing process is more than twice as fast in the climate chamber in respect of the product solely containing soda as addition. Storage in the climate chamber has thus been used as a model for more swiftly assessing the storage capability of the products of the invention, i.e. a measure of the shelf life of the products. A comparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 clearly demonstrates that the model works. Based on this, it is reasonable to expect the pH of samples containing MgCO.sub.3 at room temperature to be stabilized for twice as long as the maximum time tested in the climate chamber, i.e. approximately half a year at room temperature.

Example 6 (See FIG. 8)

(18) Snus was manufactured in accordance with the GothiaTek standard with NaCl and soda addition according to recipe 803. One sample was not further treated and served as reference (named Soda). Magnesium hydroxy carbonate (CAS-number 39409-82-0, Riedel-de Han, Sigma-Aldrich, Sweden, product no. 13 117) was added to three samples, such that the content of magnesium carbonate in the final product was 1%; 1.9% and 3.7%, respectively. All samples were packaged as loose snuff in standard polypropylen cans. The samples were stored at room temperature and the change in pH was monitored during 196 days. FIG. 8 shows the pH-time graph. As is evident from the graph, addition of MgCO.sub.3 has the capacity to stabilize the pH in snus for more than half a year at room temperature.

Example 7 (See FIG. 9)

(19) A non-tobacco oral snuff product was manufactured in accordance with the GothiaTek standard. The fibers used in the manufacture of the oral snuff product were solely maize fibers (Limagrain; SOFABRAN F 184-80, SOFRABRAN F 184-400).

(20) NaCl; 1-5% (by weight of total batch), propylene glycol; 2-10% and water; 40-60% were added before the snuff was heated in the normal heat treatment process common for Swedish heat-treated snuff. After cooling, additional NaCl; 0.5-6%, flavors and soda; 0.3-3% were added. In the next step the batch was divided into two parts. Part 1 (reference), was packed into normal snuff cans without further treatment. Part 2 received an extra addition of 1% MgCO.sub.3 (calculated based on dry constituents) before packing. All cans from both parts of the batch were stored at room temperature. Each pH measurement was done on a newly opened snuff can.

(21) As is evident from the graph, addition of MgCO.sub.3 has the capacity to stabilize the pH in non-tobacco oral snuff for at least approximately half a year at room temperature.