Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Normally noningestible chewable material or process of...
Patent
1998-12-16
1999-12-28
Wong, Leslie
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Normally noningestible chewable material or process of...
426 6, 426601, A23G 330
Patent
active
060078499
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to chewing gum. More specifically, the present invention relates to improved formulations for chewing gum and bases.
Chewing gum generally consists of a water insoluble gum base and a water soluble portion along with flavors. The water soluble portion and flavors dissipate during chewing and the gum base is retained in the mouth throughout the chew.
The insoluble gum base generally comprises elastomers, resins, fats and oils, softeners, and inorganic fillers. Elastomers can include synthetic elastomers including polyisobutylene, isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyvinyl acetate, polyisoprene, polyethylene, vinyl acetate--vinyl laurate copolymers, and combinations thereof. Natural elastomers that can be used include natural rubber.
The gum base can include elastomer plasticizers. Such elastomer plasticizers can include natural rosin esters, as well as other elastomer plasticizers. Additionally, the gum base can include fillers/texturizers and softeners/emulsifiers. Softeners are added to chewing gum in order to optimize the chewability and mouth feel of the gum. Softeners/emulsifiers that are typically used include tallow, hydrogenated tallow, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cocoa butter, glycerol monostearate, glycerol triacetate, lecithin, and combinations thereof.
In addition to a water insoluble gum base portion, a typical chewing gum composition includes a water soluble portion and one or more flavoring agents. The water soluble portion can include bulk sweeteners, high intensity sweeteners, flavoring agents, softeners, emulsifiers, colors, acidulants, fillers, antioxidants, and other components that provide desirable attributes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides improved chewing gum formulations and bases, as well as methods of producing chewing gum and bases. Pursuant to the present invention, a gum base is provided that includes meadowfoam oil as a plasticizer. In an embodiment, meadowfoam oil is added to gum base formulations replacing a small or large quantity of fats, oils, or waxes.
In an embodiment, meadowfoam oil replaces, in a gum base formula, at least some of the conventional saturated fats. The meadowfoam oil can also be used to improve flavor quality by replacing a portion or all of the other saturated fats in the base formula. Meadowfoam oil may also control flavor release and reduce harshness/bitterness of the flavor.
A variety of base and chewing gum formulations including meadowfoam oil can be produced and/or utilized pursuant to the present invention. The base formulations of the present invention may be conventional bases that include wax or are wax-free, tacky or non-tacky and/or bubble gum-type bases. The gum formulations can be low or high moisture formulations containing low or high amounts of moisture-containing syrup. Meadowfoam oil can also be used in low sugar and non-sugar containing gum formulations made with sorbitol, mannitol, other polyols, and non-sugar carbohydrates. Non-sugar formulations can include low or high moisture sugar-free chewing gums.
In an embodiment, meadowfoam oil is used in the chewing gum formulation to replace typical plasticizers that are used in chewing gum formulations. For example, meadowfoam oil can be used to replace glycerin, lecithin, glycerol triacetate, acetylated monoglycerides, and mono- and di-glycerides.
In an embodiment, meadowfoam oil is used in a chewing gum formulation combined with other softeners, emulsifiers, and plasticizing agents. If desired, meadowfoam oil can be used alone or combined with an inert material which may be added in a dry form. Meadowfoam oil softener can also be added to the flavor as a carrier for its use in chewing gum.
Meadowfoam oil when used according to the present invention, affords the chewing gum an improved texture, improved shelf life, and improved flavor quality. Even though meadowfoam oil is similar to other fats and oils in some respects, meadowfoam o
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Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
Wong Leslie
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