Chewing gum composition comprising a micro-encapsulated flavour in a matrix comprising protein

A chewing gum composition comprising;

• (a) a gum base;
• and
• (b) at least one microencapsulated composition useful for delivering at least one active component at a desired release rate, comprising the at least one active component and a matrix that at least partially microencapsulates the at least one active component;
• the at least one active component comprising at least one oil-soluble flavoring agent, and at least one vapor suppressant and the matrix comprising dewatered sodium caseinate precipitate and at least one film forming agent;
• wherein the at least one microencapsulated composition further comprises a first coating that substantially surrounds the at least one active component that is at least partially encapsulated by the matrix;
• and wherein the at least one microencapsulated composition has a number average particle size from about 20 microns to about 500 microns.

A method for preparing a delivery system for a chewing gum composition comprising:

• (1) agitating a mixture comprising water and milk material at a pH so that the protein material is soluble in the water to form a solution;
• (2) mixing a hydrophobic liquid containing an oil-soluble flavoring agent into the solution;
• (3) homogenizing the hydrophobic liquid and the solution to create an emulsion;
• (4) acid titrating the emulsion with an amount of acid to form a precipitate of the hydrophobic liquid microcapsulated in the milk material;
• (5) dewatering the microcapsulated particulated precipitate to form a dried microcapsulated product;
• and
• (6) grinding the dried microcapsulated product to a number average particle size of about 20 microns to about 500 microns;
• thereby forming a delivery system of an oil-soluble flavoring agent microcapsulated in dewatered milk precipitate.