The stiffness of tobacco is increased by treating tobacco with a dialdehyde. The treatment is carried out in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The reaction of the dialdehyde with tobacco may be at room temperature, but is accelerated by heating to 120.degree.-130.degree. C.
The present invention relates to a process for increasing the filling power of tobacco which comprises heating the tobacco at elevated temperature while maintaining the OV and SV values of the tobacco substantially constant. Preferably, the tobacco is heated at a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C. in a closed system for a time sufficient to increase the CV value of the tobacco.
A process for increasing and maintaining the filling power of tobacco, in which an effective amount of at least one cross-linking agent is applied to the tobacco and reacted with various components therein. The cross-linking agent may be applied directly or in the form of a solution, and is preferably employed in conjunction with an expansion treatment of the tobacco.
