Encapsulation composition for use with chewing gum and edible products

Claim 2

A chewing gum composition containing an active ingredient encapsulated in a solvent-free encapsulation composition, wherein the encapsulation composition comprises a blend of high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate and hydrophobic plasticizer, wherein said blend is capable of forming an encapsulating film.

Claim 3

The composition of Claim l wherein said polyvinyl acetate has a molecular weight of from about 20,000 MWU to about l00,000 MWU, preferably from about 30,000 KWH to about 60,000 KWH.

Claim 4

The composition of Claim l or 2 wherein said hydrophobic plasticizer comprises a mono-, di- or triglyceride or ester derivatives thereof, said plasticizer having a fatty acid chain of from about l6 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Claim 5

The composition according to any one of the claims l - 3 wherein the ratio of polyvinyl acetate to hydrophobic plasticizer is from about 5:l to about l:5, preferably from about 2:l to l:2.

Claim 6

The composition of Claim l wherein the ratio of encapsulating composition to active ingredient is from about l:l to about l0:l, and preferably from about 3:l to about 5:l.

Claim 7

The composition according to any one of the claims l - 5, wherein said active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of natural and artificial sweeteners, soluble dietary fiber, flavoring agents, and bio-effecting agents.

Claim 8

The composition according to any one of the claims l - 6, wherein said sweeteners are selected from the group consisting of amino acid-based sweeteners, dipeptide sweeteners, glycyrrhizin, saccharin and its salts, acesulfame salts, cyclamates, steviosides, talin, dihydrochalcone, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 9

The composition according to any one of the claims l - 7, wherein said flavoring agent is selected from the group consisting of spearmint oil,cinnamon oil, oil of wintergreen (methylsalicylate), peppermint oil, citrus oil, fruit essences, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, citral diethylacetal, dihyrocarvyl acetate, eugenyl formate, p-methylamisol and mixtures thereof.

Claim 10

The composition according to any one of the claims l - 8, wherein said active ingredient is a bio-effecting agent selected from the group consisting of mineral supplements, analgesics, antipyretics, antiarrhythmics, ion exchange resins, appetite suppressants, vitamins, anti-inflammatory substances, coronary dilators, cerebral dilators, peripheral vasodilators, anti-infectives, psychotropics, antimanics, stimulants, antihistamines, laxatives, decongestants, gastrointestinal sedatives, antidiarrheal preparations, antianginal drugs, vasodilators, anti-hypertensive drugs, vasoconstrictors and migrane treatments, antibiotics, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antitumor drugs, anticoagulants and antithrombotic drugs, hypnotics, sedatives, anti-emetics, anti-nauseants, anticonvulsants, neuromuscular drugs, hyper and hypoglycaemic agents, thyroid and antithyroid preparations, diuretics, antispasmodics, uterine relaxants, nutritional additives, antiobesity drugs, anabolic drugs, erythropoietic drugs, antiasthmatics, expectorants, cough suppressants, mucolytics, anti-uricemic drugs and mixtures thereof.

Claim 11

l0. The composition according to any one of the claims l - 9, wherein said active ingredient is a soluble dietary fiber selected from the group consisting of non-cellulosic polysaccharides, pectin, guar gum, locust bean gum, algal polysaccharides, cellulose, hemi-celluloses, lignin, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 12

An edible solvent-free encapsulation composition for protecting against moisture comprising: a blend of high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate in a hydrophobic plasticizer capable of forming an encapsulating film as described in any one of the claims l - l0.

Claim 13

The composition of Claim ll whe rein said encapsulation is a film formed on an active ingredient, as described in any one of the claims 6 - l0.

Claim 14

A process for the preparation of an active ingredient encapsulated in a solvent free encapsulating composition as claimed in claim l2, characterized in that an encapsulating composition as claimed in claim l0 is melt-blended or spray-congealed with an active ingredient as described in any one of the claims 6 - l0 followed by cooling the obtained preparation to a solid.

Claim 15

A chewing gum composition containing an encapsulated active ingredient as claimed in claim l2.

Claim 16

The chewing gum composition of Claim l4 wherein there is additionally included other non-encapsulated sweeteners for sequential release.

Claim 17

An edible product comprising an encapsulated active ingredient which is protected from moisture deterioration and which exhibits controlled release, wherein said active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, flavors, soluble dietary fibers, bio-effecting agents, and mixtures thereof and said encapsulant is solvent-free and comprises a blend of high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate and a hydrophobic plasticizer in an edible matrix essentially as described in any one of the claims l - l0.

Claim 18

The product of Claim 16 wherein said product is a confectionary product.

Claim 19

The product of Claim 16 wherein said product is a pharmaceutical product.

Claim 20

A process for preparing a chewing gum composition containing an active ingredient encapsulated in a solvent free encapsulation composition for protection of said active from deterioration due to moisture comprising: providing a blend of high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate and a hydrophobic plasticizer, wherein said high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate and hydrophobic plasticizer form a film in combination in the absence of an added solvent, encapsulating said active ingredient with said blend in the absence of an added solvent therefor, and incorporating said encapsulated active ingredient into one of a gum base used in said chewing gum compostion, directly into said overall composition during preparation thereof, and in both said base and said composition.

Claim 21

A process for preparing a chewing gum composition containing an active ingredient encapsulated in a solvent free encapsulation composition for protection of said active from deterioration due to moisture comprising: providing a blend of high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate and a hydrophobic plasticizer, wherein said high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate and hydrophobic plasticizer form a film in combination in the absence of an added solvent, encapsulating said active ingredient with said blend in the absence of an added solvent therefor, and incorporating said encapsulated active ingredient into one of a gum base used in said chewing gum compostion, directly into said overall composition during preparation thereof, and in both said base and said composition.

Claim 22

The process of Claim 19 wherein said high molecular weight polyvinyl acetate is from about 30,000 MWU to about 60,000 MWU and said plasticizer is a mono-, di- or triglyceride having a fatty acid chain length of from about l6 to about 22 carbon atoms, said polyvinyl acetate and said hydrophobic plasticizer melt blended in a ratio of polyvinyl acetate to hydrophobic plasticizer of from about 5:l to about l 5.

Claim 23

The process of Claim 19 wherein said active ingredient is encapsulated by one of melt blending and spray congealing.

Claim 24

The process according to any one of claims l9-2l, wherein said active ingredient is one of aspartame and saccharin.