GB1601658A

GB1601658A - Composition for chewing gums

Info

Publication number: GB1601658A
Application number: GB12878/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-04-04
Filing date: 1978-04-03
Publication date: 1981-11-04
Also published as: DE2814316C2; ES469251A1; LU79349A1; IT7821968A0; OA08227A; DE2814316A1; GR62854B; IT1093560B; FR2386308A1; ZA781902B; FR2386308B1; BE865617A

Description

(54) NEW COMPOSITION FOR CHEWING GUMS (71) I, JEAN-JACQUES GOUPIL, of 30 Avenue du President Wilson, 94239 Cachan, France, a French citizen do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a manufacturing process for producing chewing gums and to the resulting compositions.

Fluorine, which is vital to the mineral internal build-up of teeth in the pre-eruptive phase is also fundamental to their topical protection as early as the post-eruptive phase, by reinforcing the enamel and making it less vulnerable to attack by cariogenic acids whose production fluorine contributes to inhibit or to slow down by direct action on the bacterial enzymes and the microbial bodies of dental plaque.

The cariostatic action of fluorine is now largely demonstrated and admitted, be it in the case of ingestion (internal route) or local application (topical route). This effect is exerted on the tooth through a crystalline chemical action and on saliva and dental plaque by biochemical action.

Fluorine acts on the tooth in a pre-eruptive phase or a post-eruptive phase by reinforcing its mineral structure: (a) by the formation of fluorapatite; and (b) by reinforcing the "crystallinity" of the calcium phosphates and their precipitation in the most stable form, namely Hydroxyapatite.

This action gives to the enamel: (a) a greater resistance to external agents, leading to a better mineral build-up; and (b) less solubility in the cariogenic acids.

On the other hand, fluorine, due to its anti-enzymatic properties acts by blocking or by reducing the saliva enzymes and, as a consequence, by inhibiting or limiting the formation of cariogenic acids which are highly destructive of the enamel.

Dental plaque or bacterial plaque is a deposit which forms at the base of teeth adjacent to the gums and which, in spite of daily hygiene, is very quickly reformed between two brushings of the teeth. This sticky coating is formed of modified saliva proteins which become insoluble, or mucopolysaccharides and uncountable microbial bodies.

As recently shown, if accumulated in plaque 95% in combined form (in particular inside the microbial bodies) and not ionized, fluorine can play a full role as an enzyme inhibitor and in preventing the formation of cariogenic acids.

A further feature of the plaque against which the fluorine acts as its ability to synthesize, through the action of the bacterial enzymes (glucosyltransferases - fructosyltransferases), reserve polysaccharides from ingested sugars, glucose or dextrose (dextran), levulose (levan), both originating from glucidic hydrolysis of saccharose, recognized as being the most cariogenic sugar (under certain conditions of use : division and repetition of intakes, sticky sweets, night sweets, and so on).

This capacity of the enzymes to form sugar reserves, which are thereafter progressively degraded, results in maintaining a local acidity the prolonged action of which results in a progressive dissolution of the enamel mineral salts (pH < 5.5).

Fluorine prevents the synthesis of such poly-saccharides at concentrations of 10 ppm.

Moreover, the growth and metabolism of the acidogenic germs of dental plaque are very strongly inhibited by fluorine used locally. This action has been known for a long time and has to be added to what has been said about its anti-enzymatic action.

This bacteriostatic action requires local concentrations of fluorine of the order of 10 to 20 ppm.

In conclusion, the biochemical activity of fluorine is exerted in the post-eruptive phase, directly and locally on the saliva and the dental plaque due to the following properties of the fluorine: (a) antienzymatic (b) bacteriostatic, and this due to its ability to accumulate in the plaque where it may reach efficient rates, particularly by concentrating in the microbial bodies themselves.

This double feature results in an important reduction, and even in inhibition, of the local cariogenic acidity.

The various means for using fluorine are via the internal route and the local route.

It has been demonstrated that, for an equal concentration of fluorine, a sweet tablet before being swallowed has an efficiency substantially greater than the same tablet directly swallowed.

This result is explained by the fact that, in the first case, the fluorine concentrating in the saliva may, due to its affinity for the mineral salts of the enamel and the dental plaque, quickly fix on the latter and protect the tooth through a local action quicker and better than by the internal route only.

This dispensing mode offers therefore the advantage of associating both cario-preventive action possibilities of fluorine : the internal route and the topical route, the latter appearing now to be as important, and even more important, than the general route as early as the post-eruptive phase.

In this spirit, it has been thought quite natural to use carriers which lead to maintaining in the mouth prolongated contact of the active element before swallowing. Chewing gum has proved to be, in particular for the child and the adolescent, the ideal support for this type of fluorine dispensation. In fact, it provides in a simple and pleasant way, through the mechanical action of mastication, an easy penetration of the fluorine into the enamel by direct contact.

However, whereas the desired aim is the prevention of dental decay, the usual composition of any chewing gum is based on glucosides (saccharose, glucose etc.) which are strongly cariogenic.

There is, therefore, a fundamental anomaly which has led to devising of a rational formulation capable of being anti-cariogenic by its active principle : the fluorine, and acariogenic by its excipient.

The object of the invention is therefore twofold: (a) the incorporation, at a convenient dosage, of fluorine, which is the cariostatic principle in chewing gum; (b) the replacement of the usual cariogenic constituents of said gum by products having the same sweetening properties and, in particular, a sweetening power free from cariogenicity.

The choice has been made from three natural sweetening substances or edulcorants: (i) Xylitol: of formula C5 H12 O (molecular weight 152.15), a penitol derived from xylose, a sugar existing in many fruits, cereals and vegetables; (ii) L-sorbose: of formula C6 H12 O6 (molecular weight 180), a Retohexose existing in the natural state in rowan berries.

(iii) D-sorbitol: of formula C6 H14 O6 (molecular weight 182) existing naturally in numerous berries.

These saccharose substitutes show fundamental differences from the glucosides habitually used for the manufacture of chewing gums, as well as regarding their biological behaviour relative to saliva and dental plaque enzymes as cariogenic microorganisms of the oral cavity, e.g. Streptococcus mutans, mitis, salivarius, lactis and san gu is, and Actynomyces viscosus, with the result that none of them is used or fermented by these bacterial organisms or their enzymes.

As it is known that the latter are indispensable for building-up dental plaque, for its growth and its metabolic activities responsible for the decay process from a bio-chemical viewpoint, in particular by the enzymatic degradation of the glucosides and the sweet reserves of food origin leading to the production of cariogenic acids which are highly demineralizing for the enamel, one can only stress the obvious interest of such a formula associating xylitol, sorbose or sorbitol, instead of the sugar (saccharose) and glucose which are currently used.

According to the invention, I provide a process for preparing a chewing gum composition in which the only sweetening constituents incorporated therein are selected from xylitol, L-sorbose and D-sorbitol, and mixtures thereof. and in which a component containing ionized fluorine in the form of fluorine soluble in water at a convenient dosage is also incorporated, the chewing gum base being kept free of any alkaline-earth metals in order to avoid precipitation of the fluorine ion in the state of an insoluble salt, and therefore inactive. Apart from the process, what is claimed as being part of the invention is the chewing gum composition produced by means of the process just described.

According to a first aspect of the invention, therefore, I provide a composition for chewing gum, characterised in that it contains a chewing gum base free of any alkaline-earth metals, a fluorine-containing salt soluble in water, and xylitol.

According to a second aspect of the invention, I provide a process for the preparation of a chewing gum composition wherein there is incorporated into a chewing gum base free of any alkaline-earth metals, after slow mixing at 65 , a fluorine salt soluble in water, xylitol and l-sorbose.

According to a third aspect of the invention, I provide a process for preparing a chewing gum composition wherein there is incorporated into a chewing gum base free of any alkaline-earth metals, after slow mixing at 650, a fluorine salt soluble in water, xylitol and sorbitol.

Any formulation-component for a chewing gum according to the invention will clearly have to be free from elements or chemical components capable of producing insoluble fluorides. The most important representatives of these elements are the alkaline-earth metals, that is mainly the calcium ion.

There are now given, as examples, a few formulations according to the invention: A B C D Na fluoride 0,007143 g 0,01000 g 0,01580 g 0,02212 g Gum base 20.0 g 30.0 g 20.0 g 30.0 g Xylitol 10.0 g 53.0 g 68.0 g 10.0 g L-Sorbose 68.0 g 10.0 g 10.0 g 53.0 g Paraffin oil 0.1 g 0.5 g 0.1 g 5.0 g Glycerin 1.0 g 5.0 g 1.0 g 5.0 g Aroma qs qs qs qs Formulations A and B correspond to an intake in the tablet form of: Sodium fluoride 0.250 mg(that is 0.113 mg F-) Formula A : tablet of 3.50 g Formula B : tablet of 2.50 g Formulas C and D correspond to an intake in the tablet form of: Sodium fluoride... ....0.553 mg (that is 0.250 mg F-) Formula C : tablet of 3.50 g Formula D : tablet of 2.50 g E F G Na fluoride 0.000250 g 0.000250 g 0.000553 g Xylitol 0.170 g 0.867 g 1.530 g Sorbitol 1.530 g 0.833 g 0.170 g Aromatized gum base sufficient for (s.f.)2.50 g (s.f.)2.50 g (s.f.)2.50 g I now give an example of a preparation process according to the invention.

In a Werner type mixer, in a water bath heated to a temperature which does not exceed 65 , there is introduced, under slow mixing, the gum base previously finely divided. When the latter is sufficiently softened and homogenous, paraffin oil or glycerin, or both, are added, and a part of Sorbose, or of Sorbitol, previously sieved. One waits a few minutes so that the mixture is correct, the heating is stopped and the remainder of the powders, sorbitol or sorbose and xylitol, also sieved, is progressively incorporated as well as the sodium fluoride.

The perfume is then added at the end of the operation together with a sufficient quantity of Sorbose or Sorbitol set aside. The mixture is stirred to complete homogeneity.

The paste is then treated to be transformed into tablets and packed.

The xylitol and sorbose contents, or the xylitol and sorbitol contents of the compositions for chewing gums of the present invention vary between 45% and 90% by weight.

The weight ratio of the xylitol on the one hand to the sorbose or the sorbitol on the other hand is comprised within the range of from 1 : 10 to 10 : 1, inclusive.

The concentration in fluorine per tablet, whatever its final weight, that is by unit of intake, may vary but within the fixed limits of 0.250 mg to 0.553 mg for the sodium fluoride, that is 0.113 mg to 0.250 mg for the fluorine component. On the other hand, the proportion of xylitol and sorbose, or of xylitol and sorbitol may vary, as a function of the final weight of the tablet and the composition of the excipient, within wide limits which may be for instance of 0.250 to 2.40 g.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A composition for chewing gum, characterised in that it contains a chewing gum base free of any alkaline-earth metals, a fluorine-containing salt soluble in water, and xylitol.

2. A composition according to claim 1, characterised in that it contains xylitol mixed with sorbose.

3. A composition according to claim 1, characterised in that it contains xylitol mixed with sorbitol.

4. A composition according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the xylitol, or the xylitol plus sorbose, or the xylitol plus sorbitol, content is between 45% and 90% by weight, based on the total composition.

5. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the weight ratio of the xylitol on the one hand to the sorbose or the sorbitol on the other hand is within the range of from 1:10 to 10:1.

6. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is presented in the form of tablets the fluorine content of each of which is between 0.113 mg and 0.250 mg, and the xylitol plus sorbose or xylitol plus sorbitol, content of which is between 0.250 g and 2.40 g.

7. A chewing gum tablet characterised in that it contains 0.000250 g of sodium fluoride, 0.867 g of xylitol, 0.883 g of sorbitol and an aromatized gum free of alkaline-earth metals in a quantity sufficient for a total weight of 2.50 g.

8. A process for the preparation of a chewing gum composition wherein there is incorporated into a chewing gum base free of any alkaline-earth metals, after slow mixing at 65 , a fluorine salt soluble in water, xylitol and l-sorbose.

9. A process for preparing a chewing gum composition wherein there is incorporated into a chewing gum base free of any alkaline-earth metals, after slow mixing at 650, a fluorine salt soluble in water, xylitol and sorbitol.

10. A process according to claim 8 or 9, wherein there is introduced into the composition between 45% and 90% by weight, based on the total composition, of xylitol plus sorbose or xylitol plus sorbitol.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. E F G Na fluoride 0.000250 g 0.000250 g 0.000553 g Xylitol 0.170 g 0.867 g 1.530 g Sorbitol 1.530 g 0.833 g 0.170 g Aromatized gum base sufficient for (s.f.)2.50 g (s.f.)2.50 g (s.f.)2.50 g I now give an example of a preparation process according to the invention. In a Werner type mixer, in a water bath heated to a temperature which does not exceed 65 , there is introduced, under slow mixing, the gum base previously finely divided. When the latter is sufficiently softened and homogenous, paraffin oil or glycerin, or both, are added, and a part of Sorbose, or of Sorbitol, previously sieved. One waits a few minutes so that the mixture is correct, the heating is stopped and the remainder of the powders, sorbitol or sorbose and xylitol, also sieved, is progressively incorporated as well as the sodium fluoride. The perfume is then added at the end of the operation together with a sufficient quantity of Sorbose or Sorbitol set aside. The mixture is stirred to complete homogeneity. The paste is then treated to be transformed into tablets and packed. The xylitol and sorbose contents, or the xylitol and sorbitol contents of the compositions for chewing gums of the present invention vary between 45% and 90% by weight. The weight ratio of the xylitol on the one hand to the sorbose or the sorbitol on the other hand is comprised within the range of from 1 : 10 to 10 : 1, inclusive. The concentration in fluorine per tablet, whatever its final weight, that is by unit of intake, may vary but within the fixed limits of 0.250 mg to 0.553 mg for the sodium fluoride, that is 0.113 mg to 0.250 mg for the fluorine component. On the other hand, the proportion of xylitol and sorbose, or of xylitol and sorbitol may vary, as a function of the final weight of the tablet and the composition of the excipient, within wide limits which may be for instance of 0.250 to 2.40 g. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A composition for chewing gum, characterised in that it contains a chewing gum base free of any alkaline-earth metals, a fluorine-containing salt soluble in water, and xylitol.

11. A process according to any of claims 8, 9 and 10, wherein the weight ratio of the

xylitol on the one hand, to the sorbose or sorbitol on the other hand is within the range of from 1:10 to 10:1.

12. A composition according to claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any of the specific examples.

13. A process according to claim 8 or 9, substantially as herein described with reference to any of the specific examples.