The present invention includes a method for producing a
chewing gum with a modified release sweetener selected from the group of N-substituted derivatives of
aspartame, particularly
neotame, as well as the
chewing gum so produced. The modified release
neotame or other N-substituted derivative of
aspartame sweetener is obtained by physically modifying the sweetener properties by
coating and
drying.
Neotame or another N-substituted derivative of
aspartame sweetener is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption or
extrusion, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, absorption, or
extrusion. The coated sweetener is then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified high-intensity sweetener. When incorporated into the
chewing gum, these particles are adapted to enhance the shelf stability of the sweetener and / or produce a modified release when the gum is chewed.