Home > Acesulfame potassium

Acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3- oxathiazine-4(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide.

Acesulfame K is about 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) with a slightly bitter flavor when used in large quantities. Unlike aspartame, it is stable under heat, allowing it to be used in baking. Acesulfame K is often used in combination with aspartame or other sweeteners because it has a synergistic effect of enhancing and sustaining the sweetness of foods and beverages.

This artificial sweetener is white crystalline powder with molecular formula of C₄H₄NO₄KS and molecular weight of 201.24.

Acesulfame K was first approved by the FDA on July 6, 1988. In December of 2003 a general approval was granted.

Safety of usage of Acesulfame K was also examined by JECFA , with the conclusion that Acesulfame K is safe to use. This examination also established an ADI of 15 mg/kg of body weight.

The Scientific Committee for Food of the European Union published a comprehensive assessment of sweetening agents in 1985. This committee of toxicological experts from the EU member countries accepted Acesulfame K for use in foods and beverages. Acesulfame K has been used in Europe since 1983 and in the U.S. since 1988.

Some individuals and organizations suggest that artificial sweeteners, such as Acesulfame K and aspartame, pose severe health risks. However, their claims are usually refuted by the vast body of peer-reviewed research. In this case, most studies show that Acesulfame K is not metabolizedMetabolism in the most general sense, is the ingestion and breakdown of complex compounds, coupled with the liberation of energy, and the consequent generation of waste products. It is major process of living organisms, and because this process can happen by the human body; rather, it is rapidly absorbed and then excreted unchanged, causing no adverse effects in the process.

Popular products containing acesulfame K include Pepsi ONEPepsi ONE is a cola-flavored soft drink made by Pepsi, with only one Calorie per 12 oz. It was introduced in the fall of 1998 as an alternative to Diet Pepsi, with Pepsi's commericals stressing its superior flavor. The original ad campaign featured the fa, Trident gum , and sugarfree Jell-O. Acesulfame K is sold under the brand names Sunett™ and Sweet One. In diet sodaDiet sodas (also diet sugar-free or light soft drinks refreshments or carbonated beverages are sugar-free, artificially sweetened, non- alcoholic carbonated beverages generally marketed towards health-conscious people, diabetics, athletes and other peoples it is almost always used in conjunction with another sweetener, such as aspartame or sucraloseSucralose is non-caloric sweetener about 600 times sweeter than the sugar sucrose. It is manufactured by chlorinating sugar, which substitutes three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups to produce 4,1',6'-trichloro galacto- sucrose. It is stable under