Edible ink compositions and related products and methods

Abstract

Edible ink compositions as well as methods of making and uses thereof are described. The edible ink composition may include a pigment having at least 26 wt% calcium carbonate based on the total weight of the composition, at least one binder, and at least one solvent. The composition may be edible and may be formulated for printing on a substrate.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 404,651, filed on September 8, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to edible ink compositions, including compositions comprising calcium carbonate, the compositions exhibiting improved binding properties. The compositions can be suitable for use on edible substrates to provide improved quality and stability. Background Art

[0003] Various white pigments derived from natural ingredients can be used in edible ink formulations for food products. For example, calcium carbonate has been used as a white pigment in edible ink formulations to replace titanium dioxide. However, higher amounts of calcium carbonate often face challenges, including undesirably high viscosity that complicates printing onto substrates. Edible ink compositions can also rub off quickly upon contact or fade in appearance over time. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure includes edible ink compositions, products containing edible ink compositions, and methods of making compositions and products. For example, the present disclosure includes edible ink compositions, the edible ink compositions comprising: a pigment, the pigment comprising: at least 26% by weight of calcium carbonate based on the total weight of the composition; at least one binder; and at least one solvent; wherein the composition is edible and formulated for printing on a substrate. The calcium carbonate may comprise scalenohedral calcium carbonate. In some examples, the composition may comprise 27% to about 37% by weight or about 30% to about 32% by weight of the calcium carbonate. Additionally or alternatively, the composition may comprise: about 5% to about 35% by weight of the at least one binder based on the total weight of the composition, and / or about 30% to about 75% by weight of the at least one solvent based on the total weight of the composition. In some examples, the at least one binder may comprise shellac, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), zein, rosin, rosin esters, xanthan gum, or a combination thereof.

[0005] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one binder may include esterified shellac. In some instances, the at least one solvent may include ethanol, optionally denatured ethanol. The composition may further include at least one emulsifier. For example, the at least one emulsifier may include lecithin, polysorbate, polyglycerol ester, monoglyceride, diglyceride or a combination thereof. In some instances, the composition may include: based on the gross weight of the composition, about 0.25 wt % to about 4 wt % of the emulsifier.

[0006] The edible ink composition may further include an oil absorbent. For example, the oil absorbent may include native starch, modified starch, gum arabic, sodium caseinate, microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, cocoa or a combination thereof. In some instances, the composition may further include rice protein, rice starch, tricalcium phosphate, spirulina, cocoa powder, another edible colorant or a combination thereof.

[0007] In at least one example, the calcium carbonate may include scalenohedral calcium carbonate and limestone. In some examples, at least a portion of the calcium carbonate may be encapsulated. In at least one example, the calcium carbonate may include scalenohedral calcium carbonate and encapsulated calcium carbonate. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the Brookfield viscosity of the composition at 25°C is in the range of about 30 cP to less than or equal to 20,000 cP. The at least one solvent may include alcohol, water, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the composition does not include isoamyl alcohol, does not include titanium dioxide, or does not include isoamyl alcohol or titanium dioxide.

[0008] The present disclosure also includes a kind of edible product, and the edible product comprises the composition as described above and / or elsewhere herein on the surface of the product, optionally with a transparent or translucent layer on the surface. In at least one example, the surface can be the outermost surface of the product. The product can be a confectionery product. In some examples, the product can include a waxy coating, and the composition can be printed on the coating.

[0009] The present disclosure also includes a method of preparing a product described above and elsewhere herein, wherein the method comprises printing the composition on a surface of the product. In some examples, the composition can be printed as a logo or text on an area of ​​the surface of the product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Certain aspects of the disclosure are described in further detail below.In the event of a conflict with terms and / or definitions incorporated by reference, the terms and definitions provided herein shall control.

[0011] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, composition, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, composition, article, or apparatus. The term "exemplary" is used in the sense of "example" rather than "ideal." As used herein, the singular forms "a / an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context indicates otherwise. Relative terms such as "about," "substantially," and "approximately" refer to being nearly the same as a reference number or value, and should be understood to cover variations of ±5% of a specified amount or value.

[0012] Exemplary compositions according to the present disclosure may include: based on the gross weight of the composition, at least 26% by weight of at least one pigment, at least one binder and at least one solvent. The compositions herein may further include at least one of an emulsifier, an oil absorbent or a combination thereof and / or one or more other components (e.g., salt, fatty acid, pH regulator, preservative, natural or artificial flavor compound, plasticizer, dispersant, filler and / or trace nutrients). The pigment may include calcium carbonate and / or may not contain titanium dioxide. The compositions herein may provide increased adhesion to substrates, and may allow relatively large amounts of pigment to achieve desired color and / or color intensity. The compositions herein may be edible and in the form of an ink suitable for printing or otherwise transferring to the surface of an edible product.

[0013] The composition herein comprises at least one pigment, and the at least one pigment can be natural or artificial. For example, the pigment can comprise calcium carbonate to provide a white appearance. The composition herein can allow a higher amount of calcium carbonate while maintaining a desired viscosity that can be used for transfer and drying on a substrate. In some instances, the composition can comprise 30 wt.% or more of calcium carbonate.

[0014] In some examples of the present disclosure, the composition comprises calcium carbonate particles having a particle size ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 15 μm, such as about 0.5 μm to about 8 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 5 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 3 μm, about 1 μm to about 3 μm, about 1.5 μm to about 3 μm. Particle size refers to d 50 A value at which 50% by weight of the particles have a smaller diameter.

[0015] The calcium carbonate may be in one or more different forms. The calcium carbonate particles may be in the form of calcite (e.g., scalenohedral calcium carbonate), limestone, or a mixture thereof. Scalenohedral calcium carbonate may provide desirable reflectivity and light scattering properties. Commercially available scalenohedral calcium carbonate suitable for use in the present disclosure is ViCALity TM (Minerals Technologies, Inc.). Precipitated calcium carbonate in the form of calcite has a crystalline structure different from the scalenohedral structure, such as rhombus, hexagonal, axonal, colloid, cubic or prismatic, and can be used as a supplement or alternative to scalenohedral calcium carbonate. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that in addition to the desired color characteristics of the composition, the presence of scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles can also provide longer-term stability. In some examples, the composition can include scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles and ground limestone, for example, in a weight ratio (scalenohedral calcium carbonate:limestone) of 10:1 to about 1:1, such as about 8:1, about 5:1 or about 3:1.

[0016] In some instances, at least a portion of the calcium carbonate present in the composition can be in the form of being encapsulated or being co-dried. For example, some or all of the calcium carbonate can be combined with another material, such as an encapsulating agent or a co-drying agent, using encapsulation or co-drying technology to increase oil resistance. Any one of calcite (for example, scalenohedral calcium carbonate), limestone or its mixture can be encapsulated or co-dried. Suitable materials for encapsulating or co-drying according to the present disclosure can include but are not limited to polymers and copolymers (for example, polyvinyl acetate (PVAC)), natural gums (for example, gum arabic, locust bean gum, xanthan gum and carrageenan), cellulose, cellulose derivatives (for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium hydroxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), including sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)) and mixtures thereof. The encapsulation and / or co-drying technology that can be used to obtain encapsulated or co-dried calcium carbonate herein include but are not limited to spray drying, fluidized bed drying, spray cooling, coagulation, granulation, extrusion, freeze drying, granulation, adsorption and agglomeration.In at least one example, calcium carbonate particles can use extrusion to encapsulate with PVAC.In other examples, calcium carbonate can be dried and ground into desired particle size with cellulosic materials or materials such as HPMC, HPC, CMC such as NaCMC, gum arabic, maltodextrin or modified starch (for example, sodium octenyl starch succinate), such as the particle size in the range of about 0.5 μm to about 15 μm.

[0017] The compositions herein, e.g., edible ink compositions, may comprise scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles and encapsulated calcium carbonate, e.g., in a weight ratio (scalenohedral calcium carbonate:encapsulated or co-dried calcium carbonate) of from about 10:1 to about 1:1, such as about 9:1, about 5:1, or about 2:1. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the presence of protected calcium carbonate, e.g., encapsulated calcium carbonate or co-dried calcium carbonate, in combination with scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles may provide increased resistance to fading, and even if the scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles fade due to oil absorption, at least some of the color properties provided by the calcium carbonate may be maintained.

[0018] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a composition, such as an edible ink composition, may contain: greater than or equal to about 25 wt.% or greater than or equal to about 30 wt.% calcium carbonate, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the composition may contain: about 25 wt.% to about 40 wt.% or about 25 wt.% to about 37 wt.% calcium carbonate, based on the total weight of the composition. In some aspects, the composition may contain: about 27 wt.% to about 37 wt.%, about 28 wt.% to about 36 wt.%, about 30 wt.% to about 35 wt.%, or about 32 wt.% to about 34 wt.% calcium carbonate, based on the total weight of the composition. In at least one example, the composition contains about 32 wt.% scalenohedral calcium carbonate. In some examples, the edible ink composition contains about 26 wt.% to about 28 wt.% scalenohedral calcium carbonate. In at least one example, the composition contains about 30 wt.% scalenohedral calcium carbonate.

[0019] In some examples herein, the edible ink composition may include calcium carbonate and one or more additional pigments. For example, the composition may include a combination of calcium carbonate and another white pigment and / or a non-white pigment. The composition may include a combination of calcium carbonate and any pigment (e.g., an edible colorant) or a pigment mixture to form an ink composition with a desired chromaticity. For example, the composition may include a combination of calcium carbonate and a black, brown, gray pigment or a colorant system (including, for example, FD&C colorants such as FD&C dyes and FD&C lakes) to form an ink composition with a generally gray appearance. Exemplary pigments that can be used in the composition herein other than calcium carbonate include, but are not limited to, riboflavin (vitamin B2), rice protein, tricalcium phosphate (TCP), rice starch, spirulina, and cocoa powder. In some examples, mica-based metal pearlescent pigments may be used in compositions comprising calcium carbonate. Exemplary mica-based metal pearlescent pigments may be in the form of mica electroplating or fused to titanium dioxide as a compound. In some examples, the calcium carbonate in the composition may include both free calcium carbonate particles and encapsulated or co-dried calcium carbonate. The compositions herein may comprise at least 27 wt.% calcium carbonate and from about 1 wt.% to about 8 wt.% of one or more additional pigments, such as from about 2 wt.% to about 7 wt.% of one or more pigments other than calcium carbonate.

[0020] In some instances, the composition may include a combination of rice protein, rice starch and / or TCP and calcium carbonate. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that TCP can increase the stability of the edible ink composition. The present disclosure also contemplates that rice protein, rice starch and / or TCP are pigments with a substantially white appearance as an alternative to calcium carbonate. In at least one instance, the composition includes at least 27 wt.% TCP, such as about 27 wt.% to about 37 wt.% TCP, wherein the composition does not include calcium carbonate and / or titanium dioxide.

[0021] In at least one example, the composition can include a combination of spirulina and calcium carbonate. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the spirulina in the edible ink composition can provide a synergistic effect. For example, spirulina can help reduce and / or destroy surface tension, can help make the edible ink composition flatten or smooth to be printed on the surface of the substrate, and / or can help prevent the edible ink composition from spheroidizing or beading on the surface of the substrate. In at least one example, the composition includes calcium carbonate and greater than 0 wt.% to less than 8 wt.% spirulina, for example greater than 0 wt.% to less than 5 wt.% spirulina or greater than 0 wt.% to less than 3 wt.% spirulina.

[0022] The composition herein may also include one or more solvents. Exemplary solvents suitable for use in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, alcohols (e.g., C2 to C6 alcohols, glycols, etc.), water (including, for example, aqueous solutions), and combinations thereof. Alcohols may include, but are not limited to, isopropanol, 1-propanol, ethanol, 1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol (isoamyl alcohol), 2-butanol, hexanol, propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and glycerol. In some instances, the alcohol may be denatured. For example, the composition may include denatured ethanol, such as ethanol combined with denaturants such as ethyl acetate. In aspects of the present disclosure, the composition may include: based on the gross weight of the composition, about 30 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, about 40 wt.% to about 70 wt.%, about 50 wt.% to about 65 wt.%, or about 60 wt.% to about 70 wt.% of solvent.

[0023] The composition herein may include one or more binders. The binder can help bind the pigment and / or other components of the composition together, and / or can help bind the composition to the substrate. For example, the binder can help provide increased adhesion of the pigment to the surface of the edible substrate, wherein the surface can be polished or unpolished. Exemplary binders suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, binders such as shellac, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), zein, rosin, rosin esters, xanthan gum, starch (e.g., natural starch and modified starch), dextrin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), maltodextrin and combinations thereof. Such binders may be alcohol-soluble or water-soluble. In aspects of the present disclosure, the composition may include: based on the gross weight of the composition, about 0.1 wt.% to about 35 wt.%, such as about 5 wt.% to about 35 wt.% of one or more binders. For example, the composition can include about 0.2 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, such as about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, about 7 wt% to about 15 wt%, or about 10 wt% to about 20 wt% of one or more binders.

[0024] In some examples, the binder of the edible ink composition comprises shellac. The shellac can be esterified or non-esterified shellac. In some aspects of the present disclosure, shellac can be used in combination with a relatively high molecular weight solvent such as isoamyl alcohol. Combining shellac with isoamyl alcohol (or another alcohol, such as a relatively high molecular weight alcohol, ethanol, denatured ethanol, isopropanol and / or butanol) can help control the viscosity of the composition. For example, the composition can comprise shellac and an alcohol (e.g., ethanol), optionally a denatured alcohol such as denatured ethanol. In some examples, the composition comprises shellac combined with a solvent mixture comprising water, isoamyl alcohol, isopropanol and ethanol (e.g., denatured ethanol).

[0025] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that ethanol, such as denatured ethanol or pure ethanol, optionally with shellac, can allow for relatively high amounts of pigment (e.g., greater than or equal to 30 wt%) that maintain a desired viscosity. For example, the composition can include at least 30 wt.% calcium carbonate (e.g., about 30 wt.% to about 37 wt.% calcium carbonate), about 2 wt.% to about 20 wt.% such as about 5 wt.% to about 20 wt.% shellac (e.g., esterified shellac), and isoamyl alcohol and / or ethanol (e.g., denatured ethanol). In some examples, shellac and ethanol can be included in the composition in a weight ratio of 1:1.

[0026] In some instances, the composition can include shellac and at least one other binding agent, such as HPMC, HPC, CMC and / or zein. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that shellac and HPMC, HPC, CMC and / or zein can provide desired film strength and flexibility for the composition, and / or can allow a relatively high amount of calcium carbonate, while maintaining the viscosity of the desired. In some instances, alcohol-soluble HPC, HPMC, CMC and / or zein can be used as an alternative to shellac as a binding agent. For example, some edible ink compositions of this paper can include zein at most 5 wt.% or at most 20 wt.% as a combination of a unique binding agent or a binding agent and HPMC. In some instances, the edible ink composition can include the CMC at least 0.05 wt.% as a combination of a binding agent and HPMC.

[0027] The composition herein may also include one or more emulsifiers. Emulsifiers can help reduce surface tension and wetting. Further, emulsifiers can also provide relatively high amounts of calcium carbonate. Exemplary emulsifiers suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, lecithin (including, for example, sunflower lecithin and hydroxylated lecithin), polysorbate (including, for example, polysorbate 80), sucrose fatty acid esters, polyglycerol esters, monoglycerides, and diglycerides. In some examples, the composition may include diacetyl tartaric acid esters (DATEM) of monoglycerides and diglycerides of emulsifiers. The edible ink composition herein may include: based on the total weight of the composition, about 0.25 wt.% to about 4 wt.% or about 2 wt.% to about 4 wt.% of an emulsifier. In at least one example, the composition includes about 4 wt.% of an emulsifier, such as DATEM or hydroxylated lecithin.

[0028] An exemplary edible ink composition according to the present disclosure includes calcium carbonate (eg, scalenohedral calcium carbonate), shellac and / or zein, ethanol (optionally denatured ethanol), HPMC, and an emulsifier (eg, polysorbate 80).

[0029] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the composition may include one or more oil absorbents. When printed or otherwise transferred to the surface of a substrate (including a substrate with a wax coating), the oil absorbent can help increase the oil resistance of the edible ink composition. The oil absorbent can also help maintain the color and / or strength of the ink over time and resist fading. The oil absorbent can promote the stability of the edible ink composition on substrates such as polished lentils. Exemplary oil absorbents suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, natural starch (e.g., rice starch), modified starch (e.g., sodium succinoyl starch), gum arabic (arabic gum), sodium caseinate, maltodextrin, cocoa, microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and other celluloses (e.g., cellulose blends). The composition herein may include greater than 0 wt.% to about 4 wt.% of an oil absorbent, such as about 0.2 wt.% to about 4 wt.% of an oil absorbent or about 2 wt.% to about 4 wt.% of an oil absorbent. In at least one example, the composition may include about 0.2 wt% of CMC. In some instances, the composition may include one or more oil-blocking agents. The one or more oil-blocking agents may be used in combination with the one or more oil-absorbing agents, or may not be used in combination with the one or more oil-absorbing agents. The oil-absorbing agent and / or the oil-blocking agent may also help prevent any oil present in the substrate or its coating from penetrating the pigment in the edible ink composition.

[0030] One or more additional components may be included in the edible ink formulation according to the present disclosure. These additional components may include, but are not limited to, salts, fatty acids, preservatives, natural or artificial flavor compounds, pH adjusters, plasticizers, dispersants, fillers, and micronutrients.

[0031] The compositions herein may have a Brookfield viscosity of less than about or equal to 20,000 cP at 25°C. In some examples, the compositions herein may have a Brookfield viscosity of less than about 15,000 cP or less than about 10,000 cP at 25°C. For example, the viscosity may be in the range of about 30 cP to about 20,000 cP, about 50 cP to about 15,000 cP, about 100 cP to about 10,000 cP, about 250 cP to about 5,000 cP, or about 500 cP to about 2,000 cP. In some examples, the compositions herein may have a Brookfield viscosity of less than about 3,000 cP at 25°C. Such viscosities of the edible ink compositions may be suitable for, and therefore compatible with, manufacturing equipment and printers for transferring the edible ink compositions to the surface of a substrate.

[0032] The compositions herein can provide desired properties, such as visual properties, print quality, binding (e.g., adhesion to substrates), and / or stability (e.g., durability). Visual properties can include color, opacity, brightness, and / or overall appearance. Stability and durability can exhibit resistance to fading and / or rubbing of substrates. Compared to other edible inks, the compositions herein can provide brighter whites.

[0033] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, compositions, such as edible ink compositions, can be prepared by combining components in one or more steps. For example, the method can include combining one or more solvents with one or more binders and / or one or more emulsifiers (when emulsifiers are used). Optionally, one or more oil absorbents can be added to the mixture. Next, calcium carbonate (and / or other pigments) can be added. When two or more pigments (including two or more different types of calcium carbonate) are used, the pigments can be combined together before being added to the solvent, binder, emulsifier, and oil absorbent.

[0034] In at least one example, preparing the composition includes combining shellac with water and one or more alcohol solvents such as isoamyl alcohol, isopropanol, and / or denatured ethanol. The resulting composition can have a Brookfield viscosity of less than or equal to 5000 cP at 25°C.

[0035] Edible ink composition of this paper can be applied to the surface of various edible substrates.Suitable application method can comprise the printing as described in more detail below.Edible substrate can comprise various food, such as pet snacks, cereal bars, ice cream products (for example, ice cream bars) etc., and can also comprise candy products such as sugar (hard candy and soft candy), peppermint, chewing gum, gelatin, chocolate, French candy, jelly beans, fondant, liquorice and taffy.Substrate can comprise coating, such as waxy or otherwise hydrophobic coating.For example, coating can be yogurt coating.

[0036] In some examples herein, edible ink composition can be applied to the surface of sugar-coated candy products.Sugar-coated candy products can include a center core and at least one coating comprising sugar, such as crystal sugar.For example, and not as a limitation, sugar-coated candy products can include multiple coatings.In some examples, the edible core can include chocolate.Edible ink composition can be applied to coated chewing gum pellets.In some examples, the surface of sugar-coated candy products can include a polishing coating, and the edible ink composition is applied to the polishing coating.The edible ink composition can be printed as a dry film or a film that is subsequently dried on the polishing coating.In some examples, the surface of sugar-coated candy products can include an unpolished coating, and the edible ink composition is applied to the unpolished coating.The edible ink composition can be printed as a dry film or a film that is subsequently dried on the unpolished coating.In some examples, a transparent or translucent layer can be applied to the edible ink composition.

[0037] The sugar-coated candy product can be a dragee-type candy product. Non-limiting examples of the type of core in a dragee-type candy product can include a natural center (e.g., almond, hazelnut, or peanut) or a "candy" center (e.g., caramel, toffee, taffy, fondant, or chocolate). The core can then be coated with chocolate, a continuous sugar layer, or other substances such as polyols, gums, and natural polymers that can further include one or more color compositions.

[0038] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the edible substrate can include snack foods such as fruit snacks, potato chips / crisps, extruded snacks, ice cream bars, corn tortillas / corn flakes, popcorn, crackers, nuts, granola / cereal bars, breakfast bars, energy bars, fruit bars, and other snack bars. In certain aspects, the food can be a chocolate-coated or yogurt-coated food.

[0039] The edible ink compositions herein may also be applied to the surface of a pharmaceutical product, such as a tablet or capsule (including coated tablets and capsules) or other pharmaceutical product, or consumer product having a suitable surface for edible ink printing.

[0040] When printed or otherwise transferred onto the surface of a substrate such as an edible product, the edible ink composition can be localized to a specific area of ​​the surface. For example, a shape, logo, text, or another localized image can be printed onto the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the edible ink composition can cover the surface, such as providing a solid or patterned appearance over the entire surface.

[0041] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the edible ink composition can be applied to the substrate by a printer. In some instances, the edible ink composition can be applied using a contact printing process such as an offset rotogravure process. For example, the edible ink composition can be transferred from an etching to a film or a roller, and when contacting the desired surface, transferred to the surface. Contact printing can be promoted by the pressure between the surface to be treated and the film or the roller. In other instances, the edible ink composition can be applied by different printing processes such as digital printing, screen printing, flexographic printing, offset lithography, inkjet printing or pad printing.

[0042] However, the following examples are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and are not limiting in nature. It should be understood that the present disclosure encompasses additional embodiments consistent with the foregoing description and the following examples. Examples

[0043] Example 1

[0044] Various compositions were prepared and evaluated for their suitability in edible ink printing. A base composition was prepared by combining the components shown in Table 1.

[0045] Compositions AW were prepared by combining the base composition with various pigments, binders, emulsifiers, and oil absorbents according to Tables 2-24.

[0046] Examples 2

[0047] An additional composition was prepared as follows:

[0048] Example 3

[0049] The base composition was prepared by combining the components shown in Table 30. Compositions X and Y were prepared by combining the base composition with the components according to Tables 31 and 32.

[0050] Adding ethanol, scalenohedral calcium carbonate, and CMC in the amounts shown in Table 31 to the base composition to prepare Composition X provided a flowable, printable ink composition.

[0051] It should be noted that although various examples are described, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. Other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art by considering the specification and practicing the embodiments disclosed herein. The specification and examples are intended to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. An edible ink composition comprising: a pigment comprising: at least 26 wt % calcium carbonate, based on the total weight of the composition; at least one binder; and at least one solvent; Wherein the composition is edible and is formulated for printing on a substrate.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the calcium carbonate comprises scalenohedral calcium carbonate.

3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition comprises 27% to about 37% by weight or about 30% to about 32% by weight of the calcium carbonate.

4. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises: from about 5 wt % to about 35 wt % of the at least one binder, based on the total weight of the composition, and / or from about 30 wt % to about 75 wt % of the at least one solvent, based on the total weight of the composition.

5. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one binder comprises shellac, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), zein, rosin, rosin esters, xanthan gum, or combinations thereof.

6. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one binder comprises esterified shellac.

7. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one solvent comprises ethanol, optionally denatured ethanol.

8. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises at least one emulsifier.

9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the at least one emulsifier comprises lecithin, polysorbate, polyglycerol ester, monoglyceride, diglyceride, or a combination thereof.

10. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises: from about 0.25 wt % to about 4 wt % of an emulsifier, based on the total weight of the composition.

11. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises an oil absorbent.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the oil absorbent comprises natural starch, modified starch, gum arabic, sodium caseinate, microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, cocoa, or a combination thereof.

13. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises rice protein, rice starch, tricalcium phosphate, spirulina, cocoa powder, another edible colorant, or a combination thereof.

14. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calcium carbonate comprises scalenohedral calcium carbonate and limestone.

15. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the calcium carbonate is encapsulated.

16. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calcium carbonate comprises scalenohedral calcium carbonate and encapsulated calcium carbonate.

17. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a Brookfield viscosity at 25°C in the range of about 30 cP to less than or equal to 20,000 cP.

18. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one solvent comprises alcohol, water, or a combination thereof.

19. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition does not comprise isoamyl alcohol.

20. An edible product comprising a composition according to any one of the preceding claims on the surface of the product, optionally with a transparent or translucent layer over the surface.

21. The product of claim 20, wherein the surface is the outermost surface of the product.

22. The product according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the product is a confectionery product.

23. The product according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the product is a chewing gum.

24. A product according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the product comprises a waxy coating and the composition is printed onto the coating.

25. A method of making a product according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the method comprises printing the composition on the surface.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the composition is printed as a logo or text on an area of ​​the surface.

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