Chewing gum compositions containing insoluble dietary fibers

Abstract

A chewing gum base includes an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase. The polymeric continuous phase includes a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent. The polymeric continuous phase optionally includes a polyvinyl acetate domain of a domain size of less than 20 microns. The chewing gum base, when formulated into a chewing gum composition, can suitably increase flavor release from the gum even at a lower flavor usage level.

Description

CHEWING GUM COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING INSOLUBLE DIETARY FIBERSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 560,091 , filed on March 1 , 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure is related to chewing gum compositions comprising insoluble dietary fibers and methods of use thereof. In particular, the present disclosure is related to chewing gum compositions comprising insoluble dietary fibers formulated in a polymeric continuous phase substantially free of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) domains.

[0003] Annually, the chewing gum industry spends millions of dollars on mint oil and menthol alone. A majority of these mint flavors are used in chewing gum products. However, the majority of these mint flavors are left in the gum cud after consumption (~20-minute chewing). Therefore, there is great opportunity for cost reduction by lowering the flavor usage level in the formula via reduction of flavor residue in gum cud. Since the initial flavor content has a strong effect on the sensory, the challenge is to reduce the flavor usage level in the gum formula without compromising the sensory effects, i.e., to increase flavor release from the gum at a lower flavor usage level.SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, the present disclosure is related to a chewing gum base comprising an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent; and wherein the polymeric continuous phase optionally comprises a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) domain comprising a domain size of less than 20 microns.

[0005] In another aspect, the present disclosure is related to a method of improving the flavor release of a chewing gum base or chewing gum comprising adding to the chewing gum base or chewing gum an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent; and wherein thepolymeric continuous phase optionally comprises a PVAc domain comprising a domain size of less than 20 microns.

[0006] In a further aspect, the present disclosure is related to a chewing gum composition comprising an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent, and wherein the polymeric continuous phase optionally comprises a PVAc domain comprising a domain size of less than 20 microns.

[0007] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, the IDF powder is selected from corn bran powder, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose powder, acetylated cellulose, chitin-based powders and fibers, lignin-based powders and fibers, keratin-based powders and fibers, and mixtures thereof.

[0008] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the IDF powder is present in an amount of about 4% to about 45% by weight of the chewing gum base.

[0009] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the IDF powder is present in an amount of about 7% to about 25% by weight of the chewing gum base.

[0010] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the IDF powder is present in an amount of about 10% to about 15% by weight of the chewing gum base.

[0011] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the IDF powder comprises a fiber length of less than 300 pm.

[0012] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the IDF powder comprises a fiber length of less than 80 pm.

[0013] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the IDF powder comprises a fiber length of less than 32 pm.

[0014] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the polymeric continuous phase further comprises a compatibilizer.

[0015] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the compatibilizer comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer.

[0016] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the PVAc domain comprises a domain size of between about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns.

[0017] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the polyvinyl acetate domain comprises a root mean square radius of less than 50 nm.

[0018] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the polyvinyl acetate domain comprises a root mean square radius of less than 43 nm.

[0019] In some embodiments of the preceding aspects, which may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the linear hydrocarbon elastomer is selected from butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene and combinations thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a gum base matrix morphology including a continuous phase (rubber / resin matrix), an incompatible phase (PVAc), rubber, and rigid particles (lipid crystal and filler).

[0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate menthol distribution in different polymeric phases.

[0022] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate benzaldehyde distribution in different polymeric phases.

[0023] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the diffusion rates for benzaldehyde and menthol, respectively, across different domains.

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates the morphologies of a control gum base comprising one or more PVAc domains, an embodiment of a gum base of the disclosure free of PVAc domains, and a comparative gum base including PVAc and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as an emulsifier.

[0025] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the flavor release from an embodiment of the gum base of the disclosure free of dispersed PVAc phase domains, as compared to a control gum base including dispersed PVAc phase domains, and a gum base including PVAc and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as an emulsifier.

[0026] FIG. 7A illustrates the absolute flavor release from gum bases over a range of dispersed PVAc phase average domain sizes.

[0027] FIG. 7B illustrates the absolute flavor release from gum bases over a range of total PVAc domain perimeters.

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates the synergistic effect on flavor release of embodiments of the gum base of the disclosure, free of PVAc domains.

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates the flavor intensity of embodiments of chewing gums of the disclosure, formulated with gum bases free of PVAc domains, with 15%, 30% and 45% peppermint flavor reduction, compared to chewing gums formulated with a commercial gum base.

[0030] FIG. 10 illustrates the texture profile of embodiments of chewing gums of the disclosure, formulated with gum bases free of PVAc domains, with 15%, 30% and 45% peppermint flavor reduction, compared to chewing gums formulated with a commercial gum base.

[0031] FIG. 11 illustrates the flavor profile of embodiments of chewing gums of the disclosure, formulated with gum bases free of PVAc domains, with 15%, 30% and 45% peppermint flavor reduction, compared to chewing gums formulated with a commercial gum base.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present disclosure is related to a chewing gum base or chewing gum composition comprising an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises a linear hydrocarbon elastomer and a diluent; and wherein the polymeric continuous phase is free, or substantially free of PVAc domains.

[0033] Polymers are the skeleton of a chewing gum base matrix. Butyl rubber and polyisobutylene are amorphous hydrophobic materials, while PVAc is hydrophilic due to large amounts of ester groups along its backbone. The chemical structures of these base polymers are shown below in Table 1 .

[0034] Table 1

[0035] Phase separation has been shown to occur between rubber-rich domains and PVAc domains in chewing gum base matrices. A typical chewing gum base matrix morphology, including a continuous phase (rubber / resin matrix), an incompatible phase (PVAc) and rigid particles (lipid crystals / fil lers), is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0036] It has been found that flavors distribute differently in different polymeric phases. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, menthol contents at an equilibrium state are high at the PVAc-rubber interface. FIGS. 3A and 3B show that benzaldehyde contents at an equilibrium state are similarly high at the PVAc-rubber interface and at the PVAc domain. FIGS. 4A and 4B further show that the diffusion rates forflavor across the PVAc domain and the PVAc-rubber interface are much lower than through a rubber phase.

[0037] In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a chewing gum base comprising an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) formulated in a polymeric continuous phase. In various aspects, the polymeric continuous phase may comprise a linear hydrocarbon elastomer and a diluent. In some aspects, the polymeric continuous phase may be completely free of PVAc domains. In other aspects, the chewing gum base may be substantially free of PVAc domains.

[0038] As used herein, the term “completely free of PVAc domains” refers to a polymeric continuous phase comprising a PVAc domain of 0 microns. As used herein, the term “substantially free of PVAc domains” refers to a polymeric continuous phase comprising a PVAc domain of 20 microns or less.

[0039] As used herein, the term “polymeric continuous phase” refers to a system wherein a polymer is the dominant or continuous component. In such systems, the polymerforms a continuous network or matrix, while other components, which may include other polymers, particles, or additives, are dispersed within the matrix.

[0040] As used herein, the term “partition coefficient” or “partition ratio” refers to the ratio of the concentration of a substance in a single definite form in an extract to its concentration in the same form in another phase at equilibrium, e.g. for an aqueous / organic system, such as an octanol-water system.

[0041] As used herein, the term “compatibilizer” refers to a substance that can be added to an immiscible blend of polymers to increase their stability.

[0042] In various aspects, the polymeric continuous phase may comprise a PVAc domain having a domain size of less than 20 microns, or less than 20, 19.5, 19,18.5, 18, 17.5, 17, 16.5, 16, 15.5, 15, 14.5, 14, 13.5, 13, 12.5, 12, 11.5, 11 , 10.5, 10,9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5, 6, 5.5, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1 , or 0.5 microns, or any size between any of these values. In some aspects, PVAc may be present in the polymeric continuous phase as a single molecule. In other aspects, PVAc may be present in the polymeric continuous phase as a single molecule having a root mean square radius of less than 50 nm, or less than 50, 40, 30, 20 or 10 nm, or less than 43 nm, or any number between any of these values. In some aspects, the polymeric continuous phase may further comprise a compatibilizer. In some aspects, the compatibilizer may be present in an amount effective to decrease the PVAc domain size to less than 20 microns. Suitable compatibilizers may include copolymers of vinyl acetate and alkylene, such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). Other compatibilizers include, but are not limited to, propylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, butylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, isoprene-vinyl acetate copolymer, butadiene-vinyl acetate copolymer, or copolymers having an alkylene / vinyl acetate ratio that is close to 1.

[0043] As used herein, the term “root mean square radius (RMS radius)” refers to a measure of the size of a polymer molecule, indicating the average distance of its mass from its center. Determining the RMS radius may require detailed information about the polymer’s molecular structure, such as bond lengths and angles. RMS radius for a polymer may be calculated based on its structure using statistical mechanics or molecular dynamics simulations, or it may be determined experimentally using techniques like light scattering or small-angle X-ray scattering. In some aspects, the size and shape of a polymer molecule may be influenced by factors such as molecular weight, degree of polymerization, and the presence of side chains.

[0044] In various aspects, the polymeric continuous phase may comprise an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated therein. Suitable IDF powders mayinclude corn bran powder, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose powder, acetylated cellulose, chitin-based powders and fibers, lignin-based powders and fibers, keratin- based powders and fibers, and the like, or mixtures thereof.

[0045] In various aspects, the IDF powder may be present in the chewing gum base in an amount of about 4% to 45% by weight of the chewing gum base, or 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%, by weight of the chewing gum base, or about 7% to about 25% by weight of the chewing gum base, or about 10% to about 15% by weight of the chewing gum base, or any percentage between any of these values.

[0046] In various aspects, the IDF powder may comprise a fiber length and / or particle size of less than 300 pm, or less than 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10 pm, or less than 80 pm, or less than 32 pm, or any length or size between any of these values.

[0047] In various aspects, the polymeric continuous phase may comprise a linear hydrocarbon elastomer. Suitable linear hydrocarbon elastomers may include butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, and the like, or combinations thereof.

[0048] In various aspects, the polymeric continuous phase may comprise a diluent. Suitable diluents may include plasticizers, humectants, sweeteners, flavors, or combinations thereof.

[0049] In one aspect, the chewing gum base of the disclosure may be formulated into a chewing gum composition which is suitable for chewing and which comprises 2% or greater, by weight of the composition, of a polymeric continuous phase comprising an elastomer. In general, chewing gum compositions are chewed or masticated by consumers, the process by which food is mashed and crushed by teeth. Such chewing gum compositions can take a variety of shapes and forms, for example, a pellet, a gumball, a square, a stick, etc., and may be coated by a variety of materials including but not limiting to sugars, polyols, chocolates, syrups, films, and the like, alone or in any combination. Natural or artificial colors and combinations thereof, high intensity sweeteners and flavors may also be added to the coating solution. For pellet or coated chewing gums, zinc salts may be incorporated in a coating or in a center.

[0050] In various aspects, the chewing gum composition of the disclosure may comprise one or more flavors. Suitable flavors may include hydrophobic flavor components with log P (partition coefficient or partition ratio) higher than 2, or higherthan 2.5, including, but not limited to oxygenated terpene or hydrocarbon types of flavor chemicals, such as menthol, carvone, menthone, undecalactone, terpineol, decanal, eucalyptol, eucalyptus, linalool, menthyl lactate, menthofuran, pulegone, sesqui-phellandrene, terpinene, myrcene, sabinene, pinene, citrus oil, lemon oil, orange peel oil, limonene, and the like, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, the chewing gum composition may comprise one or more flavors in an amount that is about 5% to about 45% less, or 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, or 45% less than in commercial chewing gums.

[0051] In various aspects, an optional coating may also be applied to any of the chewing gum compositions disclosed herein. Coating material appreciated by those skilled in the art may include, but are not limited to, waxes, shellac, polyols, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene / malic anhydride copolymer or kappa- carrageenan.

[0052] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides for a method of improving the flavor release from a chewing gum base or chewing gum comprising adding to the chewing gum base or chewing gum an IDF powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent; and wherein the polymeric continuous phase optionally comprises a PVAc domain comprising a domain size of less than 20 microns, including PVAc-free gum base matrixes. In various aspects, the method comprises adding the IDF powder in place of a mineral filler, such as talc.EXAMPLES

[0053] Example 1

[0054] Chewing Gum Bases substantially free of PVAc domains

[0055] Two methods were identified to minimize and / or eliminate dispersed PVAc phase domains in chewing gum bases. In a first method, chewing gum bases free of any PVAc were formulated. In another method, PVAc-containing chewing gum bases were formulated with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) in order to disperse the PVAc domains. Chewing gum bases 1-4, free of dispersed PVAc phase domains, as well as a comparative control chewing gum base, were formulated as shown in Table 2 below:

[0056] Table 2

[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates the morphologies of the control chewing gum base comprising one or more PVAc domains, PV Ac-free gum bases 1 , 3 and 4, and gum base 2 including ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as an emulsifier.

[0058] Example 2

[0059] Chewing Gum Compositions substantially free of PVAc domains

[0060] Chewing gums were formulated with the chewing gum bases ofExample 1 . The compositions for chewing gums 1-4 are shown below in Table 3:

[0061] Table 3

[0062] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the analytical results of the flavor release contents via gas chromatography (GO) analysis on the chewing gums of Table 3 after 20 minutes of machined chewing. The data demonstrated that the chewing gums including gum bases free of dispersed PVAc phase domains exhibited superior flavor release of the flavor chemicals of peppermint flavor, such as menthone, eucalyptol, 2- isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethyl butyramide (WS-23) and isopulegol, each characterized by a partition coefficient of about 2.61 (shown in Table 4 below), when compared to the control gum base of Example 1 , which include dispersed PVAc phase domains.

[0063] Table 4

[0064] Example 3

[0065] In gum base blends containing two immiscible polymers, such as PVAc and butyl rubber, phase separation is observed. Additives that function as surfactants, emulsifiers, and / or compatibilizers can alter the degree of phaseseparation. Three types of additives have been applied in the gum base formula for this purpose, including ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) in gum base 2, vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer (VA-VL) in gum bases 5-7 and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) in gum base 8. Gum bases 5-7 having the compositions shown below in Table 5 were prepared.

[0066] Gum bases 1-7 along with the control base were characterized via Keyence digital microscopy and the PVAc domain sizes were analyzed via Imaged software. In the base with EVA, no dispersed PVAc phase domains were observed under microscope, indicating the PVAc domain size was much smaller than the wavelength of visible light, usually less than 20 nm. Therefore, EVA was observed to be an effective additive to increase the miscibility of the PVAc and butyl rubber matrix. On the other hand, VA-VL and PGPR were observed to be less powerful surfactants as the gum bases in Table 5 were observed to have PVAc domain sizes of larger than 20 microns but smaller than the size of the control gum base.

[0067] Table 5

[0068] FIG. 7A shows that chewing gums including gum bases having dispersed PVAc phase domains of less than 20 microns exhibited superior flavor release when compared to gum bases which included PVAc domains of greater than 20 microns. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 A and 7B, the presence of dispersed PVAc phase domains having a size above about 20 microns and having a perimeter of greater than 50 mm caused a substantial decrease in absolute flavor release amount.

[0069] Example 4

[0070] Gum bases 3, 4 and 9-12, having the compositions shown below in Table 6, were prepared and assessed for absolute chew-out amount %. FIG. 8 shows the positive synergistic effect of combining a formulation that is substantially free of dispersed PVAc phase domains with insoluble dietary fibers, such as corn bran and cellulose powder (gum bases 3 and 4), on absolute chew-out amount %.

[0071] Table 6

[0072] Example 5

[0073] Additional chewing gums were formulated with gum base 1 of Example 1 , free of dispersed PVAc phase domains. The chewing gums included a 15% (chewing gum 5), 30% (chewing gum 6) and 45% (chewing gum 7) reduced flavor content as compared to a control chewing gum formulated with a commercial PVAc- containing gum base. The compositions of the control chewing gum and the PVAc domain-free chewing gums are shown below in Table 7:

[0074] Table 7

[0075] The flavor profiles of the control chewing gum and chewing gums 5-7 were evaluated and the results shown in FIGS. 9-11. As shown in FIG. 9, chewing gums 5-7 with reduced flavor content, provided less flavor burst, but surprisingly higher overall flavor intensity after gum hydration and prolonged chewing time. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 10, an initial texture firm up was observed with chewing gums 5-7 due to the decrease of a flavor plasticization effect. Chewing gums 5-7 also exhibited a slightly more elastic and softer texture after gum hydration, and were smoother and squeakier than the control. Sweetness in chewing gums 5-7 during 12 minutes of chewing were either similar to or sweeter than the control, as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0076] This written description uses examples to disclose the technology, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the technology, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the technology is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A chewing gum base comprising: an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises: a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent; and wherein the polymeric continuous phase optionally comprises a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) domain comprising a domain size of less than 20 microns.

2. The chewing gum base according to claim 1 , wherein the IDF powder is selected from corn bran powder, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose powder, acetylated cellulose, chitin-based powders and fibers, lignin-based powders and fibers, keratin-based powders and fibers, and mixtures thereof.

3. The chewing gum base according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the IDF powder is present in an amount of about 4% to about 45% by weight of the chewing gum base.

4. The chewing gum base according to claim 3, wherein the IDF powder is present in an amount of about 7 to about 25% by weight of the chewing gum base.

5. The chewing gum base according to claim 4, wherein the IDF powder is present in an amount of about 10 to about 15% by weight of the chewing gum base.

6. The chewing gum base according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the IDF powder comprises a fiber length of less than 300 pm.

7. The chewing gum base according to claim 6, wherein the IDF powder comprises a fiber length of less than 80 pm.

8. The chewing gum base according to claim 7, wherein the IDF powder comprises a fiber length of less than 32 pm.

9. The chewing gum base according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the polymeric continuous phase further comprises a compatibilizer.

10. The chewing gum base according to claim 9, wherein the compatibilizer comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer.

11. The chewing gum base according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the PVAc domain comprises a domain size of between about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns.

12. The chewing gum base according to claim 1 , wherein the PVAc domain comprises single molecules.

13. The chewing gum base according to claim 12, wherein the PVAc domain comprises a root mean square radius of less than 50 nm.

14. The chewing gum base according to claim 12, wherein the PVAc domain comprises a root mean square radius of less than 43 nm.

15. The chewing gum base according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the linear hydrocarbon elastomer is selected from butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene and combinations thereof.

16. A chewing gum composition comprising the chewing gum base according to any one of claims 1 -15.

17. A method of improving flavor release from a chewing gum base or chewing gum comprising: adding to the chewing gum base orchewing gum an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises: a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent; and wherein the polymeric continuous phase optionally comprises a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) domain comprising a domain size of less than 20 microns.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the IDF powder is selected from corn bran powder, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose powder, and mixtures thereof.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the IDF powder is added in an amount of about 4% to about 45% by weight of the chewing gum base.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the linear hydrocarbon elastomer is selected from butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene and combinations thereof.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17-20, wherein the polymeric continuous phase further comprises a compatibilizer.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the compatibilizer comprises ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

23. The method according to any one of claims 17-22, wherein the PVAc domain comprises a domain size of between about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns.

24. The method according to claim 17, wherein the PVAc domain comprises single molecules.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the PVAc domain comprises a root mean square radius of less than 43 nm.

26. A chewing gum composition comprising an insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) powder formulated in a polymeric continuous phase, wherein the polymeric continuous phase comprises: a linear hydrocarbon elastomer, and a diluent; and wherein the polymeric continuous phase optionally comprises a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) domain comprising a domain size of less than 20 microns.

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