Functional chewing gums: Robot chomps on bioavailability measurement challenges

15 Jul 2020 --- Functional chewing gums are one step closer to being able to consistently provide dosages thanks to new research involving a chewing robot. The technology provides a novel measurement methodology that gives industry new opportunities to develop medicated chewing gum at reduced costs. Meanwhile, hemp company CanaFarma has obtained “encouraging” preliminary results of a pilot test on the bioavailability of cannabidiol (CBD) gum amid plans to release three new hemp oil-infused chewing gums to Canadian markets in August.

The aim of the study, published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, was to compare the amount of xylitol remaining in the gum between a chewing robot and human participants. The developed robot has built-in humanoid jaws and is capable of closely replicating the human chewing motion in a closed environment. It features artificial saliva and allows the release of xylitol the gum to be measured.

A close up of the humanoid chewing robot (Credit: Dr. Kazem Alemzadeh, University of Bristol, UK).The researchers found the chewing robot demonstrated a similar release rate of xylitol as human participants. The greatest release of xylitol occurred during the first five minutes of chewing and after 20 minutes of chewing. Only a low amount of xylitol remained in the gum bolus, irrespective of the chewing method used.

Co-author Professor Nicola West of the Bristol Dental School in the UK highlights that the most convenient drug administration route to patients is through oral delivery methods. Meanwhile, industry is taking note of consumers’ pill fatigue – the most common delivery format for supplements – and is eager to deliver novel applications. “This research, utilizing a novel humanoid artificial oral environment, has the potential to revolutionize investigation into oral drug release and delivery,” Professor West underscores.

Pill fatigue has led to numerous innovative supplementation methods and industry predicts the trend will be a lasting one. This is driving the development of functional sprays and chewable delivery formats that offer an alternative to pills and powder supplements.

“Meaningful bioavailability” with CBD gum
Tapping into this trend, CanaFarma is testing the bioavailability of CBD in gum applications via an ongoing pilot study at Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands. The study aims to test if gums can show meaningful bioavailability and fast onset of action due to CBD’s rapid absorption in the buccal cavity, as well as its subsequent release in the systemic circulation via a phased influx. This delivery route is of particular interest considering CBD can surpass the stomach and liver environment, preventing degradation by acids, enzymes and first-pass metabolism.

The Yooforic hemp oil-infused gum line will gain three new additions in August.So far, the preliminary results are “encouraging,” having discovered that 76 to 84 percent of the 10 mg of CBD was released in the buccal cavity within 30 minutes. “Despite the fact that this percentage is already quite high, it has the potential to be increased when participants are instructed to chew intensively. Furthermore, ongoing development of the gum has shown potential to increase CBD release,” the company states.

The study is scheduled to be completed in August, around the same time when CanaFarma will introduce three new additions to its functional hemp oil-infused chewing gums portfolio, bringing its total number of chewing gum products to six.

The latest additions will arrive as Yooforic Go (Mint Zing), Yooforic Pro (Chill Mint) and Yooforic After Party (Cinnamon Calm). All three have an 80 percent bioavailability rate, allowing the body to absorb the hemp oils within two to ten minutes. Each gum pack contains 250 mg of Full Spectrum Hemp Oil and 50 mg of naturally occurring CBD. 

Yooforic Go is designed as a “high-energized” gum combining ginseng and caffeine to boost energy levels and reduce fatigue. Meanwhile, the Yooforic Pro, rich with sage and magnesium citrate, was formulated with golfers specifically in mind to boost concentration while elevating a calm focus during long rounds on the course. Finally, Yooforic After Party was created to help the mind and body combat hangover-like effects after a night of overconsumption with a blend of trans-resveratrol and feverfew extract.

Edited by Anni Schleicher