Acesulfame potassium

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Chemical structure of Acesulfame potassium

Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free artificial sweetener, also known as Acesulfame K or Ace K, and marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One. In the European Union it is also known under the E number (additive code) E950. It was discovered accidentally in 1967 by German chemist Karl Clauss at Hoechst AG (now Nutrinova).^[1] Chemically, acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3- oxathiazine-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide. It is white crystalline powder with molecular formula of C₄H₄KNO₄S and molecular weight of 201.24.^[2]

Acesulfame K is 180-200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), as sweet as aspartame, about half as sweet as saccharin, and one-quarter the sweetness of 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. Alternatively, acesulfame K is often blended with other sweeteners (usually sucralose or aspartame). These blends are reputed to give a more sugar-like taste where each sweetener masks the other's aftertaste, and to exhibit a synergistic effect wherein 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.

Popular products containing acesulfame K include Diet Rite Cola, Fruit Shoot, Pepsi Max, Coca-Cola Zero, Fresca, Diet Coke with Splenda, Sprite Zero, Powerade, Trident gum, Wrigley's Spearmint gum, some SoBe products, XS Energy Drink, Propel Fitness Water, Bundaberg Diet Ginger Beer, Sugarfree Red Bull, Diet Lipton Green Tea with Citrus, Diet Arizona Energy Drinks, Danone Silhouette spring water-based beverage, Presidents Choice "PC 0 Cola", Nestle Pure Life Natural Fruit Flavored Water Beverages, sugarfree Jell-O, Monster Energy low carb, Equal table sweetener, Starbucks doubleshot LIGHT Espresso & Cream, and Girl Scouts Sugar Free Little Brownies. In carbonated drinks it is almost always used in conjunction with another sweetener, such as aspartame or sucralose.

As with sucralose, aspartame, stevia, saccharine, and other sweeteners that are sweeter than common sugars, there is concern over the safety of acesulfame potassium. The United States has approved these for use as general purpose sweetening agents, with the exception of stevia which is restricted to special products like bodybuilding protein mixes, although there remains controversy over each one. Japan, for instance, has approved stevia and it is found in many products. Other sweeteners that are banned in the USA are used in other countries, such as cyclamate, and vice-versa. Critics of the use of acesulfame potassium say the chemical has not been studied adequately and may be carcinogenic.