Low moisture chewing gum compositions and methods of preparation

摘要

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. Chewing gum made using the evaporated syrup composition includes about 5% to about 75% gum base, about 5% to about 75% of a sweet bulking agent, about 5% to about 75% of the evaporated syrup composition and optional ingredients used in conventional chewing gums but less than 2% moisture.