- What are the raw materials required to make chewing gum?
- How is the chewing gum preparation process?
- Where does the word gum come from?
- References
The natural resource from which gum is obtained is the sap of the Manilkara Zapota tree, popularly known as the gum tree, sapodilla, ácana or chicozapote.
This tree is native to southern Mexico, and is also found to a lesser extent in Central America and in the tropical area of South America.
This species has been used since 1915 for the extraction of latex and the massive production of chewing gum, due to the collection of the sap directly from its bark.
The Manilkara Zapota is predominantly found in the humid tropical rainforests. This tree can reach up to 40 meters in height, and its fruit, the sapote, is large and has a pleasant flavor.
What are the raw materials required to make chewing gum?
The main ingredient for the preparation of chewing gum is the gum base, originally made from the sap of the Manilkara Zapota.
Today, in addition to the sap of the chicozapote, latex extracted from trees such as jelutong (Dyera costulata), gutta-percha (Palaquium gutta) and some coniferous plants is also used.
Likewise, today many gum brands use synthetic rubber instead of this material, or a mixture of artificial and natural bases.
Some of the synthetic raw materials commonly used in the production of chewing gum are polyvinyl acetate, xanthan gum, styrene-butadiene rubber, and polyethylene.
The gum base is what gives the gum the property of being chewy. After having this input, flavors, sweeteners, softeners of the mixture, and even artificial colors are added.
How is the chewing gum preparation process?
A mixture is prepared with all the components of the gum base. Then, these are melted at a temperature of 115 degrees Celsius, until they obtain a thick, liquid consistency.
The next step is to filter this mixture, to remove any solid particles that have not given way to the smelting process.
Subsequently, the gum base passes through the mixers, and enters a process of stability for a period of approximately two days.
Generally, after this time the dough tends to dry out. Then, this preparation passes through a centrifugal machine to dynamize the mixture, and is filtered again.
At this point, the ingredients are added that will provide the organoleptic characteristics of the product (color, flavor, texture, etc.). This occurs when the clear rubber base is still hot and liquid.
At the end, the chewing gum “pills” are formed, and the primary packaging (boxes, bottles or blister) and the secondary packaging (bulk or distribution unit) are made.
Where does the word gum come from?
The common name for chewing gum, chicle, is derived from the Nahuatl word "Tzictli."
This word alludes to the sap extracted from the Manilkara zapota, which, given its rubberiness and its pleasant taste, was used by the Indo-American peoples to chew and freshen the breath.
References
- Chewing Gum (2007). Recovered from: madehow.com
- Chewing Gum Main Ingredient - Gum Base (2017). Recovered from: chewinggumfacts.com
- Chewing gum (sf). Mexico DF, Mexico. Recovered from: biodiversity.gob.mx
- National Report for the FAO International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources (1995). National Institute of Forestry and Agricultural Research (INIFAP). Mexico DF, Mexico. Recovered from: fao.org
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Chewing gum. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Manilkara zapota. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org