Clean Gum - First Nonstick Gum

The history of chewing gum goes back to the time of the ancient Greeks a gummy substance named mastiche from the mastic tree (A native evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to four inches tall, cultivated for its aromatic fragrance on the Greek Island of Chios and throughout Mediterranean region) (10) and combined with beeswax. Soon after the beginning of the turn of the century (1906), chewing gum became available in a variety of shapes and wrapping gum: Square, candy -- coated, stick, pencil and kiss (1). Modern age of chewing gum contains sweetener, flavoring and sometimes food coloring. "Non-coated varieties of gum are often covered in sweetened marble dust to prevent the wrapper from sticking to the product." Also, advertisements certain brands of chewing gum claim to reduce cavities, aid in dieting, improve concentration and relieve stress, such as suggested by Wrigly Science Institute (2)." For many people trying to stop smoking replaced their nicotine addiction to chewing gum (or nicotine gum) or consequently had no choice but stop smoking because of increase number smoking bans (3).

However, chewing gum proven to cause oral health concerns (Chewing gum over a long period linked to cause jaw pain, headaches, and muscle fatigue) and difficulty to be removed from a variety of surfaces (referred to as "cud") because of the strong adhesive effect, unfortunately a habit of many to discard their gum recklessly, rather than appropriate disposal (2). Leith Penny director of environment and leisure at Westminister council said: "Of all the things that end up on our streets, chewing gum is the hardest to shift. The problem with campaigns to stop people disposing of chewing gum irresponsibly is that they do nothing to stigmatise the behavior. The campaigns that did -- for drink-driving and dogs fouling the streets -- worked very well (4)." Also, discarded gum dangers the health of pets and wildlife, getting tangled in fur and feathers, and when swallowed could lead to suffocation (5). The cost to remove the discard gum from sidewalks and other surfaces has increased the cost for many municipalities or cities as the demand for chewing gum has increased. During the late 1990s, estimated the United Kingdom spent over $300 million a year to clean up chewing gum. According to Kerry Page of Straight plc, a company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, reported Ireland experience as much as thirty percent increase in gum litter, soon after the country imposed a smoking ban (3).

Professor Terence Cosgrove and his colleagues at the University of Bristol United Kingdom, developed a nonstick chewing gum ("Rev7"), repels the cud from dry surfaces, such as concrete. Two of the compounds in "Rev7" are found in toothpaste and variety of cosmetics, which repel and attract water (3). Actually researchers developed a polymer mixed into the chewing gum attracts water in the saliva, forming a thin film around it, and subsequently acts as a lubricant and prevents nonstick gum from becoming sticky (4). Professor Cosgrove said: "The basis of our technology is add an amphiphilic polymer to a modified chewing gum formulation which alters the interfacial properties of the discarded gum cuds, making them less adhesive to most common surfaces (6)".

During preliminary development, "Rev7" made available in mint and lemon flavors. When the gum was placed on paving slabs (two days later) rain washed the gum away, compared to traditional chewing gum remained stuck to the surface. When "Rev7" is placed in water for a few months will disintegrate, compared to regular gum staying intact. (3). Also, easily removed from pavements, clothes, shoes, the underside of desks and hair (The daughter of Terrance Cosgrove CEO of Revolymer consented to have nonstick gum placed in her hair, and after several washes with shampoo was removed, compared to a commercial brand gum had to be cut out.) (7&4). Terence Cosgrove plans to sell the new nonstick gum now called "Clean Gum" through a company called Revolymer (3). Revolymer was previously a spin out from the University of Bristol (7). Clean Gum hopefully will be available for sale in 2008. Mr. Cosgrove said: "It has a good chew and it certainly holds together in the mouth." (3). Also, he said: " The advantage of our Clean Gum is that it has a great taste, it is easy to remove and has the potential to be environmentally degradable (7)".

During the British Association festival of Science from September 9 - 15, 2007 in York (England), Clean Gum will be presented, hosted by the University of York. Latest scientific research will be shown (4 & 8). Professor Cosgrove said (September 13, 2007): "We've had 20 people taste this gum including one professional chewing gum expert and a series of people who estimate how good the good the gum is from a whole range of seemingly strange but industry -- standard specifications, and ours is among the top in the totally blind test (9)." Scientists are in the process of applying for European Union (EU) for approval to use a polymer as an additive to chewing gum (4 & 8). Professor Cosgrove registered a patent on the polymer and negotiating with two major chewing gum manufacturers to put Clean Gum (nonstick polymer) into their products (9).

Emma Brennan of the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign said: "But it is important that people don't use the invention of nonstick gum to justify dropping it on the pavement rather than putting it in the bin (5)".

1 - FordGum.com - The Story of Chewing Gum
2 - Wikipedia - Chewing gum
3 - NewScientistTech.com - High-tech chewing gum could end sticky streets by Roxanne Khamsi - September 14, 2007
4 - Guardian.com.uk - Non- Stick gum could slash L 150m Street Cleaning Costs
5 - dailymail.uk.com - Scientists invent the world's first non-stick chewing gum that washes off pavements - by Fiona Macrae - September 13, 2007
6 - Yahoo India News - Health News - "Removable, degradable chewing gum" all set to be a reality - by ANI - September 14, 2007
7 - PHYSORG.COM - Nonstick chewing gum to become a reality
8 - the-ba.net - The BA Festival of Science 2007 (9 - 15 September)
9 - The Independent - Scientists develop non - stick gum... and self wax skis by Steve Connor, Science Editor - September 14, 2007
10 - Wikipedia - Mastic