Acesulfame potassium

Chembox new
ImageFile = Acesulfame K.png ImageSize = 194px
IUPACName = potassium 6-methyl-2,2-dioxo-oxathiazin-4-olate
OtherNames = Acesulfame KAce K
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
EINECS = 259-715-3
CASNo = 55589-62-3
PubChem = 198606
SMILES = [K+] .CC1=CC(=NS(=O)(=O)O1) [O-]
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C₄H₄KNO₄S
MolarMass = 201.242
Appearance = white crystalline powder
Density = 1.81
MeltingPt = 225°C
BoilingPt =
Solubility = 270 g/L at 20°C
Section3 = Chembox Hazards
MainHazards =
FlashPt =
Autoignition =

Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free artificial sweetener, also known as Acesulfame K or Ace K (K being the symbol for potassium), and marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One. In the European Union, it is known under the E number (additive code) E950. It was discovered accidentally in 1967 by German chemist Karl Clauss at Hoechst AG (now Nutrinova). [cite journal
author = Clauß K., Jensen H.
title = Oxathiazinone Dioxides - A New Group of Sweetening Agents
journal = Angewandte Chemie International Edition
year = 1973
volume = 12
issue = 11
pages = 869–876
doi = 10.1002/anie.197308691] In chemical structure, acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3"H")-one 2,2-dioxide. It is a white crystalline powder with molecular formula C₄H₄KNO₄S and a molecular weight of 201.24. [cite journal
author = David J. Ager, David P. Pantaleone, Scott A. Henderson, Alan R. Katritzky, Indra Prakash, D. Eric Walters
title = Commercial, Synthetic Nonnutritive Sweeteners
journal = Angewandte Chemie International Edition
year = 1998
volume = 37
issue = 13-24
pages = 1802–1817
doi = 10.1002/(SICI)1521-3773(19980803)37:13/14<1802::AID-ANIE1802>3.0.CO;2-9
url = http://ufark12.chem.ufl.edu/Published_Papers/PDF/728.pdf
format = PDF]

Acesulfame K is 180-200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), as sweet as aspartame, about half as sweet as saccharin, and one-quarter as sweet as sucralose. Like saccharin, it has a slightly bitter aftertaste, especially at high concentrations. Kraft Foods has patented the use of sodium ferulate to mask acesulfame's aftertaste. [ [http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=5336513 United States Patent 5,336,513] ] Acesulfame K is often blended with other sweeteners (usually sucralose or aspartame). These blends are reputed to give a more sugar-like taste whereby each sweetener masks the other's aftertaste, and/or exhibits a synergistic effect by which the blend is sweeter than its components.

Unlike aspartame, acesulfame K is stable under heat, even under moderately acidic or basic conditions, allowing it to be used in baking, or in products that require a long shelf life. In carbonated drinks, it is almost always used in conjunction with another sweetener, such as aspartame or sucralose.

As with aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and other sweeteners that are sweeter than common sugars, there is concern over the safety of acesulfame potassium. Although studies of these sweeteners show varying and controversial degrees of dietary safety, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has approved these for use as general-purpose sweetening agents. Critics of the use of acesulfame potassium say the chemical has not been studied adequately and may be carcinogenic, although these claims have been dismissed by the USFDAcite journal | author=Kroger M, Meister K, Kava R | title=Low-calorie Sweeteners and Other Sugar Substitutes: A Review of the Safety Issues | journal=Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety | volume=5 | issue=2 | pages=35–47 | month=April | year=2006 | doi = 10.1111/j.1541-4337.2006.tb00081.x] and by equivalent authorities in the European Union. [http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out52_en.pdf]

References

ee also

*Soft drink
*Sweeteners

External links

* [http://www.sunett.com Official Nutrinova Sunett brand sweetener site]
* [http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/jecfa-additives/details.html?id=841 Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives evaluation monograph of Acesulfame Potassium]
* [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/04nov20031500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2001/aprqtr/21cfr172.800.htm FDA approval of Acesulfame Potassium]
* [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/12feb20041500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/aprqtr/pdf/21cfr172.755.pdf FDA approval of Acesulfame Potassium as a General Purpose Sweetener in Food]
* International Food Information Council article (IFIC) Foundation [http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/acekbroch.cfm Everything You Need to Know About Acesulfame Potassium]
* Whole Foods Market Health Info [http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/wholebody/ingredients/acesulfamek.html Acesulfame K]
* Elmhurst College, Illinois Virtual ChemBook [http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/549acesulfame.html Acesulfame K]
* Center for Science in the Public Interest article [http://www.cspinet.org/reports/asekquot.html "Sample Quotes from Cancer Experts' Letters on Acesulfame Testing"]