Abstract: Chewing gum compositions utilizing finely ground bulk sweeteners and methods of producing the compositions are disclosed. The gum compositions comprise about 5% to about 50% gum base, about 0.5% to about 3% flavor and about 40% to about 90% of a powdered bulk sweetener (preferably sucrose) wherein the powdered bulk sweetener has a particle size distribution such that at least about 60% of the powdered bulk sweetener passes through a U.S. Standard #325 sieve. Preferably 70%, or even 90%, of the finely ground bulk sweetener passes through a U.S. Standard #325 sieve. In the preferred method of producing the gum, the finely ground bulk sweetener is sifted just prior to being mixed with the gum base, or incorporates a non-starch flow agent preblended with the bulk sweetener.

Abstract: A method of sparging off-notes from mint flavors using nitrogen is provided. The method comprises passing nitrogen through a mint flavor for a sufficient time at sufficient pressure until off-notes are eliminated. A method of preparing oral compositions, including chewing gum, comprising nitrogen sparged mint flavor is also provided.

Abstract: Gradual release structures for the release of glycyrrhizin in chewing gum and a process for making such structures are provided. The gradual release structures are formed by meltspinning glycyrrhizin and a wall material.

Abstract: A homogenous, liquid solution comprising oleoresin black pepper and either cinnamyl alcohol or phenyl ethyl alcohol is disclosed. Additionally, a method of manufacturing a homogenous, liquid solution comprising oleoresin black pepper, as well as a method of adding oleoresin black pepper to chewing gum pursuant to such a solution is disclosed.

Abstract: A non-tack chewing gum composition having improved flavor and texture quality is provided wherein the chewing gum has a gum base comprising from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight terpene resin; from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight high melting wax; from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight low melting wax; from about 10% to about 30% by weight elastomer; from about 15% to about 30% by weight polyvinyl acetate; from about 1% to about 10% by weight emulsifier; from about 5% to about 20% by weight filler; and from about 15% to about 40% by weight gum base solvent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a chewing gum blend is disclosed wherein a high fat and oil gum base is cold blended with either a non-tack gum base or a conventional low fat fat gum base at temperatures between about 60.degree. F. and 180.degree. F.

Abstract: A method of treating flavors comprising spearmint is provided by the instant disclosure. The method comprises mixing the flavor oil with an alditol comprising sorbitol for a time sufficient to modify the flavor by reducing its harshness and separating the modified flavor from the alditol.

Abstract: A method of adding lecithin to chewing gum is provided by the present invention. The method comprises mixing from about 20 parts to about 70 parts by weight lecithin with from about 30 parts to about 80 parts by weight water. The resulting aqueous lecithin mixture is allowed to stand until a gelatinous lecithin forms. Thereafter, the gelatinous lecithin is mixed with an amount of a bulking agent such that the bulking agent comprises from about 25 parts to about 85 parts by weight of the resulting lecithin mixture. Whereupon, the lecithin mixture is mixed with chewing gum.

Abstract: A storage stable chewing gum incorporating Alitame as a sweetener is disclosed. The gum contains from about 0.005% to about 0.2% Alitame. In one embodiment, the gum is substantially free of wax. In another embodiment, the gum contains talc as a filler and is substantially free of calcium carbonate. Samples of gum according to the present invention are shown to retain, after eight weeks of storage at 85.degree. F., a percentage of Alitame originally present in the gum of at least 20% more than would have remained otherwise.

Abstract: A chewing gum product having a core portion including chewable gum base, sweetener and flavoring. The core portion has deposited on its surface a rolling compound including a powdered ingredient selected from the group consisting of sucrose, mannitol, starch, calcium carbonate, talc, lactitol, palatinit, lactose, and combinstions thereof. The rolling compound further includes between about 0.1 and about 2.5 weight percent of a liquid flavor. The rolling compound is substantially free of anti-caking agents and flow agents.

Abstract: A chewing gum product in stick or sheet form is provided with a rolling compound of xylitol, preferably from about 0.5 to about 7 percent, and more preferably from about 2 to about 3 percent, by weight of the chewing gum product.

Abstract: A gum composition useful in dental plaque removal and suppression and method of use is disclosed. The composition comprises 15 to 90% gum base, 5 to 80% sweetening and bulking agents, 1 to 10% glycerine, optional color and flavor, and contains 0.25 to 0.75% glycerol mono laurate. Preferably, the composition also includes a high filler content. The method involves chewing the gum composition the invention for at least 20 minutes, preferably at least five times a day for four successive days.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of enhancing the flavor of a peppermint flavored chewing gum by the addition of a minor amount of a flavor enhancer consisting of spearmint flavor and methyl salicylate combined with a peppermint flavoring agent to form the peppermint flavor mixture for the chewing gum. The amount of spearmint flavor and methyl salicylate comprises about 0.1 to about 2 of the total mixture of peppermint flavor mixture added to the chewing gum. In addition, the ratio of spearmint flavor to methyl salicylate is between about 10:1 to about 2:1.

Abstract: Chewing gum containing gum base, xylitol and flavor, but which is free of added water and hygroscopic ingredients, is environmentally stable, i.e., does not absorb significant amounts of water from the atmosphere to soften with age, or give off significant amounts of water to the atmosphere to harden or stiffen with age.

Abstract: Methods of producing gum and the resulting compositions, containing a hydrated emulsifier, are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, 2 parts water and 1 part lecithin are blended together to form a gel. The gel is added to the gum composition, preferably after the gum base and the majority of the bulking and sweetening agents are mixed together. The use of a hydrated emulsifier improves initial softness and results in an extended shelf life.

Abstract: A sugarless hard coated chewing gum comprising a sugarless chewing gum center and a sugarless hard coating containing hydrogenated isomaltulose. The chewing gum center has a low water content, preferably less than about 2.5 weight percent based on the weight of the gum center. The sugarless hard coated chewing gum is manufactured by applying to the chewing gum center a sugarless syrup comprising hydrogenated isomaltulose to coat the gum centers. The coated gum centers are then dried in an inert medium such as air to form the hard coating.

Abstract: A method of adding a high intensity sweetener such as thaumatin, monellin and the like to chewing gum ingredients. The method comprises forming an emulsion comprising the high intensity sweetener, water, an emulsifier, and a hydrophobic ingredient which is preferably a flavor. Once formed, the emulsion is admixed with the chewing gum ingredients in any suitable manner.

Abstract: Low moisture chewing gum compositions and methods of preparation using carbohydrate syrup-plasticizer compositions to improve flexibility and shelf life characteristics are disclosed. The syrup comprises carbohydrate solids and water, with less than 30% of the solids having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 and more than 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater. The ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent in the composition is between 0.5:1 and 100:1 and the total water content of composition is less than 20%. The syrup-plasticizer composition is prepared by providing a carbohydrate syrup or combined syrups with the proper carbohydrate solids distribution, combining a plasticizer such as glycerine or propylene glycol and evaporating water from the combined syrup plasticizer composition.

Abstract: A food-grade shellac is used as an encapsulating agent for high potentcy sweeteners in chewing gum compositions. The shellac provides an impermeable, hydrophobic coating which is substantially insoluble in the chewing gum base.

Abstract: Carbohydrate syrup-plasticizer compositions for use in chewing gums to improve flexibility and methods of preparing the compositions are disclosed. The syrup comprises carbohydrate solids and water, with less than 30% of the solids having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 and more than 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater. The ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent in the composition is between 0.5:1 and 100:1 and the total water content of composition is less than 20%. The syrup-plasticizer composition is prepared by providing a carbohydrate syrup or combined syrups with the proper carbohydrate solids distribution, combining a plasticizer such as glycerine or propylene glycol and evaporating water from the combined syrup composition.