Chewing gum: Production, quality parameters and opportunities for delivering bioactive compounds

• Published in: Trends in food science & technology Vol. 55; pp. 29 - 38
• Main Authors: Konar, Nevzat, Palabiyik, Ibrahim, Toker, Omer Said, Sagdic, Osman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Bioactive compounds; biodegradability; Chewing gum; drug delivery systems; Flavor; industry; ingredients; mastication; researchers; sensation; smoke; statistics; Texture; Chewing gum; Bioactive compounds; Flavor; Texture
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2016.07.003
• ISSN: 0924-2244

Chewing gum has an amazing statistics. The entire industry is worth $25 billion and annually 1.74 trillion sticks of chewing gum are produced. It would account for 290 billion hours' duration of staying in mouth if each piece of gum was chewed for 10 min every year. Concerning these statistics at least smoke cessation, oral health and new form of drug delivery system potentials of chewing gum are clear. Therefore, fundamentals of chewing gum should be realized in detail to take the advantage of this product. In this review, due to limited studies concerning chewing gum in food science and technology area, key points in production, quality parameters and bioactive compounds delivering properties of chewing gum were reviewed with aim to show promising study areas to researchers. Production of different types of gums, ingredients used, sensory and texture properties and potential future functions of chewing gums were discussed with a special emphasis on the bioactive compounds carrier properties of chewing gum. Encapsulation not only improved a sensation of flavor for a long period when applied in the chewing gum but also had a potential to give functionality to chewing gum. Only recently the idea of healthy chewing gums and using chewing gum as an alternative form of drug delivery system have been developed. Therefore, food technologists should give attention to this promising subject of producing chewing gums having long lasting flavors, being biodegradable and forming a type of functional confection consumed with pleasure by everyone. •Chewing gum is one of the most popular confectioneries worldwide.•It is an unusual food that remains in the mouth for long periods.•It provides hospitable environment for encapsulated and unencapsulated bioactives.•Potential uses of chewing gum is scarce due to lack of scientific studies.