The Chemistry of Gum

Introduction

I choose the chemistry of gum. I picked the topic gum because its a common thing in American life, mostly everyone you know is always chewing gum, even myself. i really like gum all different types mint, fruity, etc.

Composition of ...

Chewing gum was made from the latex sap of the sapodilla tree. This sap was called chicle. Some other natural bases may be used such as, sorva and jelutong, sometimes even beeswax or paraffin are used. Gum contains sweeteners, flavorings, and softeners. Softeners are ingredients such as glycerin or vegetable oil that are used to blend the other ingredients and help prevent the gum from becoming hard or stiff. Frequent gum swallowing may contribute to the formation of a bezoar or enteroilth, which is a sort of intestinal stone. There is a difference between chewing gum and bubble gum. Bubble gum is made with more sweeteners and ingredients to make it thicker so it will hold together when a bubble is blown.

Background Research

Workers melt down the gum base, and combine with sugar, corn syrup, and flavoring oils. Once the mixture is combined and still warm it is placed between rollers which coats both sides of the gum with powder sugar to keep it from sticking. Then another machine is used to cut and the gum into sticks and they are individually wrapped.

Resources

www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/gum.asp

This site talks about how chewing gum is made, and what ingredients are in the gum.

chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryfaqs/f/chewinggum.htm

This site talks about all the ingredients in chewing gum, and talks about what it does if its swallowed.

www.thefactsite.com/2009/03/differences-between-chewing-gum-and.html

This site is talking about the main difference between chewing gum and bubble gum.

About the Author

Marissa Hollins