CHEWING GUM AND CONFECTIONERY COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING A SOY FLAVOR ENHANCER

Abstract: The flavor of chewing gum and confectionery compositions is improved by incorporating into the composition a natural soy flavor enhancer selected from the group consisting of natural soy extract, soy sauce, soy powder, and mixtures thereof in amounts which reduce the bitter or harsh flavor notes perceived after substantial chewing, without imparting the salty taste associated with soy derivatives.

Description: This invention relates to chewing gum and confectionery compositions having incorporated therein a natural soy derivative to overcome the bitterness associated with various flavours after a substantial period of chew. The result is an enchancement of flavour, since bitter off-notes are mitigated or removed. Traditionally, higher amounts of flavour, e.g., 15 to 20 times more, are added to chewing gum compositions than to confectionery compositions such as boiled candy. This is due to the unique problems associated in obtaining satisfactory flavour release during mastication of the chewing gum. The prior art chewing gum compositions traditionally have shown that up to about 90% of the flavour becomes trapped in the gum base portion of the bolus of the gum. The trapped flavour is therefore not available for perception. Yet, after 10 to 15 minutes of chewing, this trapped flavour is known to contribute to a bitter taste in the gum. One of the primary considerations in developing an acceptable chewing gum composition is a pleasant, uniform flavour which is of long duration and which imparts a good breath freshening attribute. Naturally, bitter tastes are to be avoided. Conventional chewing gum compositions must add flavour in high amounts to account for the substantial percentage of flavour which becomes trapped in the bolus. These high amounts of flavour, however, produce several problems. First, the flavours may impart an unacceptable and overpowering harshness due to their incorporation in intense amounts. This harshness is sometimes perceived as bitterness. Second, excess flavour results in increased plasticization and softening of the gum base which changes the chew characteristics of the chewing gum. Thus, any advantages obtained by using higher quantities of flavours are offset to a large degree by these problems. The instant invention solves these problems by incorporating a specific amount of a soy flavour enhancer comprising natural soybean extract and derivatives and mixtures thereof into the chewing gum composition. Due to the addition of the flavour enhancer, flavour levels can be added at higher levels than conventional formulations, if desired, without the unpleasant bitterness side effects. Additionally, the advantages that flavours impart, e.g., improved sweetness, improved breath freshening perception, uniform taste characteristics and long lasting flavour perception, can be enjoyed more fully, without the harshness and bitterness normally present after extended chewing, e.g., 15 minutes or more. These advantages become particularly relevant in mint flavoured gums and gums which contain menthol or cinnamon. Soybean products are widely used in confectionery products and other foods. Generally, the soy bean is utilized in the form of defatted meal or flour. Its function is primarily as a filler which constitutes low protein as well as bulk. Defatted flours are made by removing the oil from soybean flakes with hexane. The flours are used as they are or processed to give concentrates or isolates. Lecithin is added to defatted flour to prepare lecithinated flours useful in controlling the viscosity of a fluid mass, for example, in caramels. Soy protein isolates prepared by removing both the insoluble and soluble carbohydrates from defatted soy flakes are known to be useful as a thickener or gelling agent. Soy protein concentrates are made by leaching out soluble carbohydrates from defatted flakes. They are often used to supplement the protein, vitamin and mineral content of sweet snack items. The use of these soybean products in confectionery products is disclosed in an article by J. A. Nowacki, "Soy Protein in Confectionery Products," Confectionery Production , December, 1975. The September 1981 edition of Food Engineering discloses a salty-sweet chewing gum flavour containing soy powder (30% by weight). The soy powder or miso are added as the salting agents. Similarly, Japanese patent application 4716671 discloses the use of dried soy sauce to prepare a salty chewing gum. No suggestion in these references is made of flavour enhancement by elimination or reduction of bitterness, nor to the avoidance of saltiness. US-A-4 248 895 discloses the use of concentrated protein extracts, such as soy protein isolate, to dehydrate higher polyalcohols, which may then be used as sugar substitutes in comestible compositions including chewing gum compositions. FR-A-2 542 318 discloses new soy derivatives in which glycosyls in the alpha form are fixed on to the glycosides naturally contained in soy. The new derivatives maintain the favourable medicinal properties of natural soy glycosides but are essentially devoid of their usual bitter, astringent properties. The present invention specifically refers to a chewing gum or confectionary composition flavoured with an agent capable of producing harsh or bitter tones, the composition being essentially devoid of bitter or harsh flavour tones as a result of having incorporated therein a soy derivative in an amount sufficient to reduce bitter or harsh flavour tones without imparting a salty taste to the gum, said soy derivative being natural soy extract, soy sauce or powdered soy, or mixtures thereof, and being present in an amount of 0.2% to 1.5% by weight of the total composition. While the exact reason for the contribution of natural soy extract and the specified derivatives thereof towards eliminating or mitigating the bitterness of flavours is not fully understood, it is believed to be related to the amino acid blend present in the soy extract. A synthetic amino acid blend which is capable of reducing the same effect is thus also contemplated. It must be understood, however, that the inventive compositions should not taste salty, as do most foods, gums and confections containing soy materials. In distinction to the inventive compositions, the chewing gum prior art has conventionally incorporated soy sauce for the specific purpose of effecting a salty taste. As used in the specification and claims the term "soy flavour enhancer" means the afore-described soybean derivatives; namely, soy sauce, natural soy extract, soy powder and mixtures thereof. The term encompasses both the water containing derivatives and these components in their dry powder form. The soy sauce is generally a fermented product while the soy extract may be utilized unfermented. The soy flavour enhancer can be utilized in conjunction with the liquid naturally occurring in their preparation, or in their dry powdered form. The soy flavour enhancer is added to the gum or confectionery composition in an amount of 0.2 to 1.5 wt%, preferably 0.3 to 1.0 wt.%, more preferably about 0.4 to 0.8 wt%, and most preferably 0.5 to 0.75%, percentages being based on the total chewing gum or confectionary composition. Amounts greater than 1.5%, e.g., 2.0%, should not be used if a salty taste is to be avoided. In the practice of this invention for chewing gum compositions the gum base may natural or synthetic rubbers or elastomers well known in the art. Illustrative, non-limiting examples of gums or elastomers useful as gum bases are natural rubber, chicle, lechi caspi, jelutong, polyisobutylene, isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers and mixtures thereof. The gum base may be present in amount of 15% to 50% by weight and preferably 15% to 30% by weight based on the total chewing gum composition. The gum base may, of course, contain elastomer solvents and other materials to aid in softening or extending the elastomer component. Illustrative, non-limiting examples of such materials are the methyl, glycerol or pentaerythritol esters of rosins or modified rosins, such as hydrogenated, dimerized or polymerized rosins or mixtures thereof. Examples of the rosins useful in the preparation of gum bases include the pentaerythritol ester of partially hydrogenated wood or gum rosin, pentaerythritol ester of wood or gum rosin, glycerol ester of partially dimerized rosin, glycerol ester of polymerized wood or gum rosin, glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, glycerol ester of wood or gum rosin and partially hydrogenated wood or gum rosin, as well as partially hydrogenated methyl ester of rosin such as polymers of α-pinene or β-pinene. Terpene resins, including polyterpene and mixtures thereof are also useful. The elastomer solvent can be employed in an amount ranging from 10% to 75% by weight of the gum base, and preferably 45% to 70% by weight. Corn syrup can serve as a source of moisture and it can be utilized at 8% to 30% by weight, preferably 15% to 20% by weight of the chewing gum composition. The specific amount of corn syrup will depend on the overall formulation of the gum composition and may be controlled to provide a conventional moisture content of 2% to 8%. As used in the specification and claims the term "corn syrup" includes corn syrup and fructose syrups, as well as other simple syrups. Chewing gum compositions according to this invention will generally include one or more natural or artificial sweetening agents. The sweetening agent may be selected from a wide range of materials including water-soluble agents, water-soluble artificial sweeteners, and dipeptide based sweeteners, including mixtures thereof. Without being limited to particular sweeteners, representative illustrations encompass: A. Water-soluble sweetening agents such as monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides such as xylose, ribose, glucose, mannose, galactose, fructose, dextrose, sucrose, maltose, partially hydrolyzed starch, or corn syrup solids and sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol and mixtures thereof. B. Water soluble artificial sweeteners such as the soluble saccharin salts, i.e., sodium or calcium saccharin salts, cyclamate salts, acesulfam-K and the free acid form of saccharin. C. Dipeptide based sweeteners such as L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester and the materials described in U.S. Patent No. 3,492,131. In general, the amount of sweetener will vary with the desired amount of sweetness desired for a particular chewing gum. This amount will normally be 0.001% to 90% by weight when using an easily extractable sweetener. The water-soluble sweeteners described in category A above, are preferably used in amounts of 25% to 75% by weight, and most preferably from 50% to 65% by weight of the final chewing gum composition. In contrast, the artificial sweeteners described in categories B and C are used in amounts of 0.005% to 5.0% and most preferably 0.05% to 2.5% by weight of the final chewing gum composition. These amounts are ordinarily necessary to achieve a desired level of sweetness independent from the flavour level achieved from flavour oils. A variety of conventional ingredients such as plasticizers, softeners and emulsifiers are, of course, useful in the chewing gum compositions of the invention. Examples of these materials include: hydrogenated vegetable oil, lanolin, lecithin, stearic acid, sodium stearate, potassium stearate, glyceryl triacetate, glycerine, mono, di-, and tri-glycerides, propylene glycol monostearate, glycerol monostearate, as well as natural waxes, petroleum waxes (such as polyethylene waxes), paraffin waxes and microcrystalline waxes. Mixtures of these materials are also useful in obtaining a variety of desirable textures and consistency properties. These materials are generally employed in amounts of up to 30% by weight and preferably in amounts of 1% to 25% by weight, and more preferably 3% to 7% by weight of the chewing gum composition. Chewing gum compositions according to this invention can additionally include conventional adjunctives such as colouring agents, flavouring agents, fillers, bulking agents, and mixtures thereof. The colouring agents include titanium dioxide and the well known food dyes of the art. Fillers include, but are not limited to, aluminium hydroxide, alumina, aluminium silicates, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate and mixtures thereof. The use of fillers is optional and they may be used in varying amounts. Preferably, the amount of fillers when used will vary from 4% to 30% by weight of the final chewing gum composition. Flavouring agents well known to the chewing gum art can be added to the chewing gum compositions of this invention. Both synthetic flavouring agents and natural flavouring agents derived from plants, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. and combinations thereof are useful. These flavouring agents are generally liquids. However, they can also be used as spray dried solids. The use of flavouring agents having other distinct physical forms such as powdered flavourings, beaded flavourings and encapsulated flavourings are within the scope of this invention. Illustrative non-limiting examples of flavouring agents include spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, oil of wintergreen (methylsalicylate) and peppermint oils. Synthetic and natural fruit flavours useful as flavouring agents include such flavourings as citrus oil e.g., lemon, orange, lime and grapefruit; fruit essences including apple, strawberry, cherry, banana, pineapple; and the various flavourings such as aldehydes and esters including cinnamyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, citral diethyl acetal, dihydrocarvyl acetate, eugenol formate and p-methylanisole. Generally any flavouring or food additives such as those described in Chemicals Used in Food Processing , pub 1274 by the National Academy of Sciences, pages 49-53 and 63-258 may be used. The amount of flavour used will be determined by such factors as flavour type, flavour compatability and the strength desired. In general, amounts of 0.05% to 3.0% by weight of the overall chewing gum composition are used, preferably 0.3% to 1.5%, more preferably 0.7% to 1.2% by weight. It is to be understood that the interaction between the flavour and the soy flavour enhancer is synergistic. The soy flavour enhancer has no flavour perception or contribution of its own. Yet when soy flavour enhancer is added to a flavour containing chewing gum the total perceived flavour is greater than the flavour alone. The present invention refers also to a process of preparing a chewing gum composition as described herein comprising adding to a suitable gum kettle a melted gum base and corn syrup and treating until homogenous, preferably at a temperature of approximately 43°C or at a temperature of 55°C to 65°C, subsequently adding the flavouring agent and any further additives to that homogeneous mixture and further incorporating the soy flavour enhancer into the composition at any convenient stage of the production process, so as to achieve the synergistic effect between the soy flavour enhancer and the flavour. In general, the process of preparing the inventive chewing gum compositions comprises adding to a suitable gum kettle a melted blend of gum base and corn syrup and mixing until homogenous. Usually a homogeneous mass is obtained in about six (6) minutes at a temperature of 55° to 65°C. Sucrose, dextrose, malto dextrin and colour are usually then blended into the homogeneous mass for approximately two (2) minutes. Flavour is added next and mixed until sufficiently homogeneous. The soy flavour enhancers can be added directly during the mixing stage of the manufacturing process or incorporated into other flavour ingredients; e.g., spray dried flavour. The soy flavour enhancers can be added directly to the mixing of the gum base; or alternatively, premixed with gum base softeners and then added to the gum base. Additionally, the soy flavour enhancers may be mixed into the chewing gum composition as a final step, along with the liquid flavour. The soy flavour enhancers have particular application for products incorporating mint or fruit flavours. The following examples serve to provide further appreciation of the invention. All percentages throughout the specification and claims are by weight of the overall composition. EXAMPLE I A chewing gum composition having the following formulation was prepared as follows: The corn syrup was added to a blending kettle and heated to about 27-35°C. Melted and filtered chicle, lecithin and gum base at 43°C were then added to the kettle containing the corn syrup with mixing. Mixing was continued until the ingredients were homogenous (about 2 minutes). Sugar, dextrose, caramel colour and maltodextrin were then added and mixing continued until the ingredients were homogenous. The kettle was maintained at about 43°C throughout the mixing process. With continued mixing the liquid flavour and soy flavour enhancer (soy sauce powder) were added. The spray dried flavour and glycerin were added in that order with continued mixing to ensure homogeneity. The mixture was formed into sheets and cooled. The gum had enhanced flavour and sweetness. Furthermore, in chew-out tests the gum evidenced prolonged flavour duration devoid of bitter tones and perceptable saltiness. EXAMPLE II A bubble gum was prepared having the following composition: The gum was prepared in the same manner as Example I except that the ingredients were mixed in the following order: Melted base, caramel paste, lecithin and corn syrup were added to the kettle at 43°C. After mixing for about 2 minutes the sugar, acid and colour were added with continued mixing. Then the liquid flavour, soy flavour enhancer and glycerin were added. Mixing was continued until the blend was homogenous. The gum was formed into sheets and cooled. Chewing gum panels tested the gum for any perceivable bitterness or saltiness after 15 minutes or more of chew. The inventive gums showed no bitterness or saltiness, but rather a perceivable enhancement of flavour was present. EXAMPLE III This example demonstrates the maximum level of the soy flavour exhancer being 1.5% by weight, beyond which levels a salty flavour is noticeable and flavor enhancement reduced. A chewing gum composition having the following ingredients was prepared, each composition being nearly identical except for the level of soy flavour enhancer present: Each of the above compositions were prepared in the same manner. Melted gum base, caramel paste, lecithin and corn syrup were added to the kettle at about 43°C. After mixing for about 2 minutes, the sugar was added and mixing was continued, at which time the liquid flavour, soy flavour enhancer and glycerin were added. Mixing was continued until the blend was homogeneous. An expert chew panel was conducted on each of the above compositions. The compositions containing 0.5% and 1.5% soy flavour enhancer (A&B) demonstrated excellent mitigation of bitterness after chewing for an extended period of time (20 minutes or more) without perceptable saltiness. The composition (C) containing 2.0% soy flavor enhancer on the other hand exhibited perceptable saltiness and noticeably less flavour enhancement. EXAMPLE IV While the soy flavor enhancers of this invention have particular utility in chewing gums, they can be used advantageously in other confectioneries such as boiled candies (e.g. lollypops, lozenges), soft candies (caramel, nougats), pressed tablets (breath mints), cough tablets etc. The following example serves to illustrate the use of the soy flavour enhancer of this invention in boiled hard candies: The granulated sugar, water and corn syrup were heated to 143°C with constant stirring. The blenders then cooled to 93°C and the liquid flavour and soy flavour enhancer with continued stirring. When the flavour was well dispersed the mixture was poured into moulds and cooled. The candy exhibited enhanced flavour, as judged by an expert panel when compared with an identical formulation devoid of the soy flavour enhancer.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States: CH, DE, FR, GB, LI A chewing gum or confectionery composition flavoured with an agent capable of producing harsh or bitter flavour tones, the composition being essentially devoid of bitter or harsh flavour tones as a result of having incorporated therein a soy derivative in an amount sufficient to reduce bitter or harsh flavour tones without imparting a salty taste to the gum, said soy derivative being natural soy extract, soy sauce or powdered soy or mixtures thereof, and being present in an amount of 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of the total composition. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the soy derivative is present in an amount of 0.3 to 1.0% by weight of the total composition. A composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the soy derivative is present in an amount of 0.4 to 0.8% by weight of the total composition. A chewing gum composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein there is included a gum base present in an amount of 15 to 50%, a sweetener present in an amount of 0.001 to 90%, a softener present in an amount of up to 30% and a flavour in an amount of 0.05 to 3.0%, by weight of the total composition. A chewing gum composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flavour is spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, oil of wintergreen, citrus oils, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, citral diethyl acetal, dihydrocarvyl acetate, eugenol formate or p-methylanisole or mixtures thereof. A process of preparing a chewing gum composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising adding to a suitable gum kettle a melted gum base and corn syrup and treating until homogenous, subsequently adding the flavouring agent and any further additives to that homogeneous mixture and further incorporating the soy derivative into the composition at any convenient stage of the production process. A process according to claim 6, which is carried out at a temperature of 55 to 65°C. A process according to claim 6, which is carried out at a temperature of approximately 43°C. Claims for the following Contracting State: ES A process for the preparation of a chewing gum or confectionery composition flavoured with an agent capable or producing harsh or bitter flavour tones, the composition being essentially devoid of bitter or harsh flavour tones, which process comprises incorporating into the composition a soy derivative in an amount sufficient to reduce bitter or harsh flavour tones without imparting a salty taste to the gum, said soy derivative being natural soy extract, soy sauce or powdered soy or mixtures thereof, and being present in an amount of 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of the total composition. A process according to claim 1, wherein the soy derivative is present in an amount of 0.3 to 1.0% by weight of the total composition. A process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the soy derivative is present in an amount of 0.4 to 0.8% by weight of the total composition. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein there is included in the chewing gum or confectionery composition a gum base present in an amount of 15 to 50%, a sweetener present in an amount of 0.001 to 90%, a softener present in an amount of up to 30% and a flavour in an amount of 0.05 to 3.0%, by weight of the total composition. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flavour is spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, oil of wintergreen, citrus oils, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, citral diethyl acetal, dihydrocarvyl acetate, eugenol formate or p-methylanisole or mixtures thereof. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of adding to a suitable gum kettle a melted gum base and corn syrup and treating until homogenous, subsequently adding the flavouring agent and any further additives to that homogeneous mixture and further incorporating the soy derivative into the composition at any convenient stage of the production process. A process according to claim 6, which is carried out at a temperature of 55 to 65°C. A process according to claim 6, which is carried out at a temperature of approximately 43°C.

Inventors: CHERUKURI, SUBRAMAN RAO, GLASS, MICHAEL, OPPENHEIMER, ALFRED
Applicants: WARNER-LAMBERT COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A23G3
IPC codes: A23G3, A23G4