Fuente: WIPO "tobacco agriculture" A process is provided for obtaining nicotine-depleted tobacco without materially altering the appearance or flavor properties of the tobacco biomass. The method includes a microwave assisted extraction process that uses continuous flow of biomass and solvent through an extractor. The extraction solvent is continuously stripped of nicotine while remaining enriched in other tobacco extractable compounds, including flavor-related components, and is continuously recycled through the extractor. The microwave assisted extraction process includes a low residence time in the extractor, enabling the process to extract nicotine while minimizing physical degradation of the tobacco biomass. The process may also include, for example, methods of recovering and purifying the nicotine extracted from the biomass. A composition of nicotine-depleted tobacco is provided, where the nicotine-depleted tobacco maintains its original appearance and flavor.