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ACESULFAME K

Acesulfame K is commonly found in diet sodas, sugar-free gum, candy, dairy products, and baked goods.
Acesulfame K is widely used in the human diet and excreted by the kidneys.
Acesulfame K has thus been used by researchers as a marker to estimate to what degree swimming pools are contaminated by urine.


CAS Number: 55589-62-3
EC Number: 259-715-3
Molecular Formula: C₄H₄KNO₄S
Molecular Weight: 201.24 g/mol

SYNONYMS:
Potassium 6-methyl-2,2-dioxo-2H-1,2λ6,3-oxathiazin-4-olate, Acesulfame K, Ace K, Acesulfame potassium, 55589-62-3, Acesulfame K, Potassium acesulfame, Otizon, Potassium acesulfamate, Acesulfame potassium salt, Sunett d, Acesulfam-K, DTXSID1030606, E 950, INS NO.950, DTXCID9010606, INS-950, Hoe 095, E-950, NSC-760104, 1,2,3-Oxathiazin-4(3H)-one, 6-methyl-, 2,2-dioxide, potassium salt, RefChem:914951, 259-715-3, 23OV73Q5G9, potassium 6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-1,2,3-oxathiazin-3-ide 2,2-dioxide, Acesulfame (potassium), Acesulfame-K, 6-Methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide potassium salt, Acesulfame-potassium, potassium;6-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1-oxa-2lambda6-thia-3-azanidacyclohex-5-en-4-one, NCGC00090729-01, MFCD00043833, Acesulfame potassium (NF), Potassium 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide, CAS-55589-62-3, E950, Acesulfamepotassium, Ace K, 761 - Sweeteners, Acesulfame potassium CRS, MLS006010910, Acesulfame potassium 1000 microg/mL in Acetonitrile, orb1310150, orb3139249, CHEMBL1351474, SCHEMBL29354137, HY-D0195R, Acesulfame K, analytical standard, MSK5101, 517 - Dilutable/Ready to drink, CHEBI:184415, Acesulfame (potassium) (Standard), HMS3264B22, HY-D0195, Tox21_111001, Tox21_202423, Tox21_303370, 516 - Carbonated Drink (degassed), AKOS016015051, AKOS025310719, CCG-213614, FA33349, NCGC00090729-02, NCGC00257361-01, NCGC00259972-01, AS-12294, DA-70485, SMR001595518, A1490, Acesulfame K, for food analysis, >=99.0%, CS-0010111, ST51037480, D08836, 6-methyl-3H-1,2,3-oxathiazine-2,2,4-trione, potassium salt, Acesulfame potassium, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard, Acesulfame potassium, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard, Potassium 6-methyl-2,2,4-trioxo-2H,4H-1,2lambda~6~,3-oxathiazin-3-ide, Acesulfame K, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material, Acesulfame K, 6-Methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide potassium salt

Acesulfame K (Ace-K, E950) is a calorie-free, artificial sweetener roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Discovered in 1967, Acesulfame K is highly stable under heat, making it suitable for baking and diet beverages.
Acesulfame K is widely approved as safe in moderation by authorities like the FDA and EFSA, often used alongside other sweeteners to mask a slight bitter aftertaste.


Acesulfame K (UK: /æsɪˈsʌlfeɪm/, US: /ˌeɪsiːˈsʌlfeɪm/ AY-see-SUL-faym or /ˌæsəˈsʌlfeɪm/), also known as acesulfame potassium or Ace K, is a synthetic calorie-free sugar substitute (artificial sweetener) often marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One.
In the European Union, Acesulfame K is known under the E number (additive code) E950.


Acesulfame K was discovered accidentally in 1967 by German chemist Karl Clauss at Hoechst AG (now Nutrinova).
Acesulfame K is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide.
Acesulfame K is a white crystalline powder with molecular formula C4H4KNO4S and a molecular weight of 201.24 g/mol.


Other names for acesulfame K are potassium acesulfamate, potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxothiazin-4(3H)-one-2,3-dioxide, and potassium 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3H)-one-3-ate-2,2-dioxide.
Acesulfame K, also known as Ace-K or acesulfame K, is a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose).
First discovered in 1967 by German researchers, Acesulfame K quickly gained popularity due to its zero-calorie nature, stability in various conditions, and wide applicability across industries.


Unlike natural sweeteners, Acesulfame K does not break down during cooking or processing, making it ideal for high-temperature applications like baked goods and pharmaceuticals.
Acesulfame K has been rigorously tested and approved for use in more than 100 countries, including by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and World Health Organization (WHO).


For scientific researchers and industry professionals, Acesulfame K offers more than just sweetness—it provides a model compound for studying synthetic taste enhancers, metabolic resistance, and formulation behavior in both food and pharmaceutical research contexts.
Acesulfame K is a sulfuric acid derivative.


Acesulfame K is a synthetic sweetener belonging to the oxathiazinone dioxide class.
Acesulfame K was discovered in the late 20th century and approved for use in many countries as a sugar substitute.
Acesulfame K is non-metabolized by the human body, meaning it provides no calories.


Due to its high sweetness intensity and stability under heat and varying pH conditions, Acesulfame K is widely used in processed foods and beverages.
Acesulfame K is a common artificial sweetener.
Acesulfame K — also known as acesulfame potassium, or ace K — is an artificial sweetener.


In Europe, people may refer to Acesulfame K as E950.
Manufacturers sell Acesulfame K under the brand names Sweet One and Sunett.
Acesulfame K is around 200 times sweeter than sugar.


Acesulfame K stimulates the sweet-taste receptors on the tongue, so a person can enjoy the taste of sweetness without consuming sugar.
Manufacturers may blend Acesulfame K with other sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose to mask the bitter aftertaste it can have on its own.
The body may not fully break down or store artificial sweeteners as Acesulfame K does with other food.


Instead, the body absorbs Acesulfame K and then passes it, unchanged, through urine.
Acesulfame K (Sunett, Sweet One, TwinSweet) is a non-nutritive sweetener that is 200 times more sweet than sugar but has zero caloric content.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies six non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) as food additives, including saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose, neotame, advantame, stevia glycosides, and luo han guo fruit (monk fruit) extracts.


Consumers may choose these products to lower the risk of tooth decay, manage or help lose weight, or use in the management of diabetes.
Acesulfame K is approved by the FDA as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in foods generally (except in meat and poultry).
It may be found listed on food labels as acesulfame potassium, Acesulfame K, or Ace-K.


Acesulfame K may also be added to other non-nutritive sweeteners to extend the sweetness profile and help lower any aftertaste.
In the US, non-nutritive sweeteners, with the exception of saccharin, are not required to be listed on food or drink labels unless a threshold amount per serving is reached.
Acesulfame K has an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for use in food products of 15 mg/kg of body weight per day, which is equal to about 23 tabletop packets of sweetener (for a 60 kg [132 pound] person), according to the FDA.


Acesulfame K is a no-calorie sweetener that is used in foods and beverages to provide sweetness without the added calories contained in sugars.
While some types of sweeteners are considered no-calorie (e.g., Acesulfame K, monk fruit sweeteners, stevia sweeteners and sucralose) and others are low-calorie (e.g., aspartame), this category of ingredients is often collectively referred to as artificial sweeteners, high-intensity sweeteners, low-calorie sweeteners, low- and no-calorie sweeteners, nonnutritive sweeteners or sugar substitutes.


Originally developed by German researchers in 1967, Acesulfame K was first approved for use in Europe in 1983.
Five years later, in 1988, Acesulfame K was approved in the U.S.
Today, Acesulfame K is often used in combination with other low- and no-calorie sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, to provide a more sugar-like taste than Acesulfame K provides on its own.


Like other low- and no-calorie sweeteners, Acesulfame K is intensely sweet.
Acesulfame K is about 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), so only small amounts are used to match the sweetness provided by sugar.
Acesulfame K retains its sweetness at a wide range of temperatures and in many food-processing conditions, which allows it to be used as an ingredient in a variety of food products, including baked goods, beverages, candies, chocolates, dairy products, desserts, and more.


Acesulfame K (Ace-K) is a zero-calorie sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a fast onset of sweetness without any lingering aftertaste.
Unlike aspartame, acesulfame K is stable under heat, even under moderately acidic or basic conditions, allowing it to be used as a food additive in baking, or in products that require a long shelf life.
This heat stability gives Acesulfame K a significant advantage over aspartame, which breaks down when exposed to high temperatures.


Discovered in 1967 by Hoechst AG, acesulfame potassium (also known as acesulfame K) is a high-intensity, non-caloric sweetener.
Acesulfame K is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose.
Acesulfame K has a clean, quickly perceptible, sweet taste that does not linger or leave an aftertaste.


Acesulfame K is not metabolized by the body and is excreted unchanged.
The Acesulfame K sweetener was discovered accidentally in 1967 when chemist Karl Clauss licked his fingers after handling chemicals in a laboratory.
After accidentally dipping his fingers into the chemicals with which he was working, Clauss licked them to pick up a piece of paper.


This serendipitous discovery led to one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners in the food industry today.
Understanding how Acesulfame K compares to sugar, how it affects the body, and whether it delivers on its health promises requires examining both established safety data and emerging research about metabolism, gut health, and long-term effects.


Every day, millions of people consume products sweetened with Acesulfame K without recognizing its presence.
This artificial sweetener, Acesulfame K, hides in plain sight across diet sodas, sugar-free gum, protein shakes, and thousands of other “light” or “zero-calorie” products lining grocery store shelves.
Acesulfame K is 200 times sweeter than sucrose (common sugar), allowing manufacturers to create intensely sweet products with minimal amounts of actual sweetener.

USES and APPLICATIONS of ACESULFAME K:
When Acesulfame K is used as an ingredient in a packaged food or beverage, it will appear in the ingredient list for that product as either Ace-K, acesulfame K, or Acesulfame K.
Acesulfame K is also used as an ingredient in some tabletop sweeteners.
Food and Beverages: Acesulfame K is commonly found in diet sodas, sugar-free gum, candy, dairy products, and baked goods.


Combinations: Acesulfame K is often blended with other artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame or sucralose, to produce a more sugar-like taste, as it can have a bitter or metallic aftertaste at high concentrations.
Acesulfame K is widely used in the human diet and excreted by the kidneys.
Acesulfame K has thus been used by researchers as a marker to estimate to what degree swimming pools are contaminated by urine.


In Research and Laboratory Use of Acesulfame K: In biochemical and pharmaceutical R&D settings, Acesulfame K is employed in sweetener interaction studies, taste receptor modeling, and drug formulation development.
Acesulfame K is widely used as a sugar substitute in the food and beverage industry.
Acesulfame K is commonly found in diet soft drinks, sugar-free beverages, chewing gum, desserts, dairy products, baked goods, and confectionery items.


In the pharmaceutical industry, Acesulfame K is used to improve the taste of oral medications such as syrups, chewable tablets, and effervescent formulations.
Its stability makes Acesulfame K particularly useful in heat-processed pharmaceutical products.
In personal care products, Acesulfame K may be used in toothpaste and mouthwash to provide sweetness without contributing to tooth decay.


Acesulfame K is also frequently blended with other sweeteners to achieve a more sugar-like taste profile and to mask bitterness.
It has a wide range of uses in the food industry because it can be used as a low-calorie or calorie-free sweetener and is resistant to high temperatures. Here are some of the uses of Acesulfame K in the food industry:
Acesulfame K is used as a sweetener in diet sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks, and other low-calorie beverages.


Acesulfame K is preferred as a sweetener in sugar-free or low-sugar desserts, candies, chewing gums, lozenges, and similar products.
Acesulfame K is used as a sweetener in low-calorie or diabetic-friendly products such as jam, yogurt, ice cream, and pudding.
Acesulfame K is preferred in baked goods such as bread, cakes, cookies, and pastries as it is a sweetener that can withstand high temperatures.


Acesulfame K is used as a flavoring in salad dressings, ketchup, mustard, and other sauces, as well as in canned products.
Acesulfame K is used as a flavoring agent in ready-to-eat meals that are heated in a microwave or baked in an oven.
Acesulfame K is commonly used as a sweetener in low-calorie or sugar-free chocolate, cocoa powder, and similar products.


Acesulfame K is preferred as a sweetener in the production of low-calorie or low-sugar ice creams.
Acesulfame K is commonly used in many food products that aim to reduce calorie content or cater to the preferences of diabetic individuals.
Acesulfame K is a substance used as an artificial sweetener.


When used as a sweetener, Acesulfame K provides low-calorie or calorie-free sweetening.
Acesulfame K is commonly known and used in the food industry as the food additive E950.
Acesulfame K is highly resistant to heat treatment, therefore it can be used at high temperatures and remains stable in cooking processes.


Acesulfame K is relatively stable to pH levels, which allows it to be used in a variety of food products.
Acesulfame K is chemically stable and does not tend to degrade under normal storage conditions.
These physical and chemical properties of acesulfame make Acesulfame K suitable for adding to many foods and beverages as a low-calorie or calorie-free sweetener.


Acesulfame K is widely used in sugar/calorie-reduced foods such as non-alcoholic beverages, table sweeteners, baked goods, confectionery, and dairy products.
Acesulfame K is also used as an inactive ingredient in approved drug products.
Acesulfame K is currently used in thousands of foods, beverages, oral hygiene and pharmaceutical products in about 90 countries.


Among these are tabletop sweeteners, desserts, puddings, baked goods, soft drinks, candies and canned foods.
Acesulfame K is approved for use in numerous products including chewing gum, dry beverage mixes, dry dessert mixes, dry dairy analog bases, tabletop sweeteners, confections, soft candy, hard candy (including breath mints, cough drops and lozenges), baked goods, dairy products, carbonated beverages and alcoholic beverages.


-Researchers utilize Acesulfame K to explore:
Receptor-ligand dynamics in gustation science
Sweetener-induced metabolic responses
Pharmacokinetics of non-metabolized compounds
Amerigo Scientific supports these endeavors by providing high-purity laboratory-grade reagents, including sweeteners like Acesulfame K, to academic and commercial research institutions.


-Applications of Acesulfame K Across Food, Beverages, and Pharmaceuticals:
Acesulfame K has gained widespread use in food and beverage products, pharmaceutical formulations, and even research-based testing environments.
Its resilience under extreme conditions makes Acesulfame K particularly useful in applications where natural sugars would degrade or ferment.


-Acesulfame K is used in Food and Beverages:
*Carbonated soft drinks
*Chewing gum
*Yogurts and dairy desserts
*Sugar-free candy
*Tabletop sweeteners
*Baked goods (due to heat stability)
The synergistic effect of Ace-K with other sweeteners makes it a popular choice in "blend" formulations.
Acesulfame K helps reduce bitterness and mimics the sugar mouthfeel more closely than single sweeteners alone.


-In Pharmaceuticals:
In the pharmaceutical industry, Acesulfame K is used to mask the bitter taste of drugs in:
*Chewable tablets
*Lozenges
*Oral syrups
*Nutraceuticals and supplements
Its chemical stability ensures that Acesulfame K remains intact during the manufacturing process, and its zero glycemic response is beneficial for diabetic patients using oral medications.

BENEFITS AND CHARACTERISTICS of ACESULFAME K:
Acesulfame K provides several functional benefits.
Acesulfame K is calorie-free, making it suitable for weight management and diabetic-friendly formulations.
Acesulfame K does not contribute to tooth decay, making it non-cariogenic.

Acesulfame K is highly stable under heat, making it suitable for cooking, baking, and pasteurized products.
Acesulfame K has a long shelf life and does not degrade easily in storage or processing conditions.
Acesulfame K exhibits strong synergistic effects when combined with other sweeteners, improving overall taste quality and reducing undesirable aftertastes.

Acesulfame K's high sweetness intensity allows for very small usage quantities, making it cost-effective in formulation design.
Overall, Acesulfame K is a highly stable, non-caloric, high-intensity sweetener with strong resistance to heat, pH variation, and enzymatic degradation.
Its chemical stability, safety profile, and synergistic sweetness behavior make Acesulfame K one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners in modern food science and pharmaceutical formulations.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES of ACESULFAME K:
Acesulfame K is a white, crystalline powder with no odor.
Acesulfame K has a very strong sweet taste, followed by a slight bitter or metallic aftertaste at high concentrations.
Acesulfame K is highly soluble in water and moderately stable in ethanol.

Acesulfame K does not have a true melting point in the traditional sense, as it decomposes at temperatures around 225 °C.
Acesulfame K is stable under normal storage conditions and does not absorb moisture easily (low hygroscopicity).
Its density is higher than water in solid form, and Acesulfame K remains stable across a wide range of pH values, typically from pH 3 to 7.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of ACESULFAME K:
Chemically, Acesulfame K is the potassium salt of acesulfame, a heterocyclic sulfonamide derivative.
Acesulfame K's structure contains a stable oxathiazinone dioxide ring, which is responsible for its sweetness and chemical resistance.
Acesulfame K is highly stable toward heat and does not participate in Maillard browning reactions, making it suitable for baking and sterilized products.

Acesulfame K is also resistant to hydrolysis under acidic and neutral conditions.
Acesulfame K is not metabolized in the human body and is excreted unchanged via urine.
Acesulfame K shows synergistic sweetening effects when combined with other sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose, improving flavor profile and reducing aftertaste intensity.

ACESULFAME K AT A GLANCE:
Acesulfame K provides zero calories while being 200 times sweeter than sugar.
FDA approved Acesulfame K in 1988; European approval came in 1983.
The body absorbs but does not metabolize Acesulfame K, excreting it unchanged in urine.
Stable under heat, making Acesulfame K suitable for baking and cooking applications.

Often blended with aspartame or sucralose to mask bitter aftertaste.
Recent studies show effects on gut microbiome composition and function.
Gender-specific metabolic effects observed in animal research.
FDA considers consumption safe up to 15 mg/kg body weight daily (about 900 mg for a 60 kg person).

PROPERTIES of ACESULFAME K:
Acesulfame K is 200 times sweeter than sucrose (common sugar), as sweet as aspartame, about two-thirds as sweet as saccharin, and one-third as sweet as sucralose.
Like saccharin, Acesulfame K has a slightly bitter aftertaste, especially at high concentrations.
Kraft Foods patented the use of sodium ferulate to mask Acesulfame K's aftertaste.

Acesulfame K is often blended with other sweeteners (usually sucralose or aspartame).
These blends are reputed to give a more sucrose-like taste whereby each sweetener masks the other's aftertaste, or exhibits a synergistic effect by which the blend is sweeter than Acesulfame K's components.

Acesulfame K has a smaller particle size than sucrose, allowing for its mixtures with other sweeteners to be more uniform.
Unlike aspartame, acesulfame K is stable under heat, even under moderately acidic or basic conditions, allowing it to be used as a food additive in baking, or in products that require a long shelf life.
Although Acesulfame K has a stable shelf life, it can eventually degrade to acetoacetamide, which is toxic in high doses.

In carbonated drinks, Acesulfame K is almost always used in conjunction with another sweetener, such as aspartame or sucralose.
Acesulfame K is also used as a sweetener in protein shakes and pharmaceutical products, especially chewable and liquid medications, where it can make the active ingredients more palatable.
The acceptable daily intake of Acesulfame K is listed as 15 mg/kg/day.

EFFECT ON BODY WEIGHT of ACESULFAME K:
Acesulfame K provides a sweet taste with no caloric value.
There is no high-quality evidence that using Acesulfame K as a sweetener affects body weight or body mass index (BMI).

DISCOVERY of ACESULFAME K:
Acesulfame K was developed after the accidental discovery of a similar compound (5,6-dimethyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide) in 1967 by Karl Clauss and Harald Jensen at Hoechst AG.
After accidentally dipping his fingers into the chemicals with which he was working, Clauss licked them to pick up a piece of paper.
Clauss is the inventor listed on a United States patent issued in 1975 to the assignee Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft for one process of manufacturing Acesulfame K.

Subsequent research showed a number of compounds with the same basic ring structure had different levels of sweetness.
6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide had particularly favourable taste characteristics and was relatively easy to synthesize, so it was singled out for further research, and received its generic name (acesulfame-K) from the World Health Organization in 1978.
Acesulfame K first received approval for table top use in the United States in 1988.

BENEFITS of ACESULFAME K:
*Helps Reduce Calories — 
Since acesulfame K is not metabolized, it contributes no calories.
By substituting acesulfame K for sugar in foods and beverages, calories can be reduced substantially, or, in some products, practically eliminated.

*Remains Stable Under High Temperatures — 
The sweet taste of acesulfame K remains unchanged during baking.
Even at oven temperatures over 200ºC, acesulfame K shows no indications of breaking down or losing its sweet taste.
Beverages containing acesulfame K also can be pasteurized under normal pasteurizing conditions without loss of sweetness.

*Excellent Shelf Life — 
Acesulfame K has a high degree of stability over a wide range of pH and temperature storage conditions.

*Tastes Sweet and Clean — 
Acesulfame K has a clean, quickly perceptible sweet taste that does not linger.
Acesulfame K generally does not exhibit any off-taste in foods and soft drinks.

*Synergistic — 
Acesulfame K can provide a synergistic sweetening effect when combined with other non-nutritive sweeteners.

*Does Not Promote Tooth Decay — 
Acesulfame K does not contribute to dental caries.

*Useful in Diabetic Diets — 
Studies have shown that acesulfame K has no effect on serum glucose, cholesterol, or triglycerides.
People with diabetes may incorporate products containing acesulfame K into their balanced diet.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND HOW ACESULFAME K WORKS:
Acesulfame K is a white crystalline powder with molecular formula C₄H₄KNO₄S and a molecular weight of 201.24 g/mol.
Acesulfame K belongs to a class of sweeteners called oxathiazinone dioxides, sharing structural similarities with saccharin.
Acesulfame K is made in labs from chemical reactions among sulfamic acid, diketene, triethylamine, acetic acid, sulfur trioxide and potassium hydroxide.
This multi-step synthesis produces a highly stable crystalline form that withstands processing conditions few other sweeteners can tolerate.

WHICH FOODS CONTAIN ACESULFAME K?
Acesulfame K is a highly versatile artificial sweetener that manufacturers use in a wide range of foods and drinks.
Unlike similar sweeteners, such as aspartame, Acesulfame K is heat stable.
This means Acesulfame K is suitable for baked goods.

Examples of foods that may contain Acesulfame K include:
*beverages, including soda, fruit juices, non-carbonated drinks, and alcohol
*tabletop sweeteners
*dairy products
*ice cream
*desserts
*jam, jelly, and marmalade
*baked goods
*chewing gum
*syrups
*condiments

KEY FACTS AND CHARACTERISTICS of ACESULFAME K:
*Discovery & Name: 
Discovered by Karl Clauss in 1967 at Hoechst AG. Also known as Ace-K, Acesulfame K, or E950.

*Properties: 
Acesulfame K is a white, odorless crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. 
Acesulfame K is stable at high temperatures (melting point 225°C), making it excellent for baking and cooking.

*Sweetness Intensity: 
Acesulfame K is approximately 130–200 times sweeter than sucrose (sugar).

*Metabolism: 
The body does not break down or metabolize Acesulfame K; it is excreted unchanged.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND MECHANISM OF ACTION
The structure of Acesulfame K allows for excellent water solubility, heat resistance, and pH stability, which are essential in laboratory and industrial settings.
Key Chemical Properties:
Molecular Formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular Weight: 201.2 g/mol
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Melting Point: >225°C (decomposes)
Solubility: Highly soluble in water; low solubility in ethanol

Acesulfame K interacts with taste receptors in the tongue, particularly the T1R2 and T1R3 sweet receptor subunits, mimicking the effect of glucose.
However, unlike glucose or fructose, Acesulfame K is not metabolized by the body.

Acesulfame K is excreted unchanged in urine, which makes it non-caloric and ideal for diabetic or weight-sensitive formulations.
Additionally, due to its synergistic properties, Acesulfame K is often combined with other sweeteners (such as sucralose or aspartame) to improve taste and reduce off-flavors.

ACESULFAME K VS. SUGAR: THE CALORIE EQUATION:
The most obvious difference between these sweeteners centers on energy content.
A teaspoon of sugar has approximately 16 calories, which accumulates rapidly in typical American diets.

The average soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar, which adds up to around 160 additional calories.
Over a year, daily consumption of just one regular soda contributes over 58,000 calories—equivalent to approximately 16 pounds of potential weight gain if not offset by activity or dietary adjustments elsewhere.

As a sugar substitute, Acesulfame K has 0 calories, allowing you to cut a lot of those extra calories from your diet.
The zero-calorie proposition appeals to weight management strategies and diabetic dietary planning.
However, the calorie calculation tells only part of the story.

Sugar provides quick energy that the body can use immediately for cellular processes.
Sugar, primarily derived from sugarcane or sugar beets, is a natural carbohydrate that provides energy in the form of calories.
The body evolved mechanisms to process and utilize these calories efficiently.

Acesulfame K provides sweetness perception without energy delivery.
The body absorbs Acesulfame K and then lets it pass through urine without metabolizing it for energy.
This creates a disconnect between taste signals indicating incoming calories and actual caloric delivery.

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of ACESULFAME K:
Chemical formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molar mass: 201.242
Appearance: white crystalline powder
Density: 1.81 g/cm3
Melting point: 225 °C (437 °F; 498 K)
Solubility in water: 270 g/L at 20 °C
Molecular Weight: 201.24 g/mol
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 0
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 5
Rotatable Bond Count: 0

Exact Mass: 200.94981027 Da
Monoisotopic Mass: 200.94981027 Da
Topological Polar Surface Area: 69.8 Ų
Heavy Atom Count: 11
Formal Charge: 0
Complexity: 288
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0

Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 2
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes
CAS Number: 55589-62-3
EC Number: 259-715-3
Molecular Formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular Weight: 201.24 g/mol

Chemical Formula: C4H4NO4S.K
CAS No: 55589-62-3
EINESC No: 259-715-3
UN No: Not classified as a hazardous product
Physical Properties: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 201.24 g/mol
Density: 1.77 g/cm3
Solubility: Soluble in water
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C4H4KNO4S

CAS Number: 55589-62-3
Molecular Weight: 201.24
UNSPSC Code: 12352205
NACRES: NA.21
E Number: E 950
MDL number: MFCD00043833
Beilstein/REAXYS Number: 3637857
Organoleptic: odorless
Grade: FG, Halal, Kosher
Food allergen: no known allergens

Physical state: powder, fine crystalline
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Taste: Intensely sweet (with slight bitter/metallic aftertaste at high concentrations)
Sweetness intensity: ~200 times sweeter than sucrose
Solubility in water: Highly soluble
Solubility in organic solvents: Slightly soluble to practically insoluble in most organic solvents (e.g., ethanol)

Hygroscopicity: Low (does not readily absorb moisture)
Melting point: No true melting point; decomposes at ~225 °C
Stability in solid form: Stable under normal storage conditions
Density: Greater than water (solid crystalline form)
pH stability range: Stable in acidic and neutral conditions (approximately pH 3–7 in solution use conditions)
Chemical nature: Potassium salt of a heterocyclic organic sulfonamide (oxathiazinone dioxide derivative)
Molecular stability: Highly stable compound under heat and processing conditions

Thermal stability: Heat-stable; does not break down easily during baking or pasteurization
Hydrolysis: Resistant to hydrolysis in acidic and neutral environments
Reactivity: Low chemical reactivity under normal conditions
Metabolism: Not metabolized by the human body; excreted unchanged in urine
Maillard reaction: Does not participate in browning reactions with sugars or amino acids
Synergism: Exhibits synergistic sweetening when combined with other sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, sucralose)

Oxidation stability: Stable; does not readily oxidize under normal storage conditions
Decomposition: Breaks down at high temperatures (~225 °C) rather than melting
Color: white
Odor: odourless
Melting point/freezing point: Melting point/ range: ca.210 °C - OECD Test Guideline 102
Initial boiling point and boiling range: No data available
Flammability (solid, gas): No data available

Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
Flash point: No data available
Autoignition temperature: > 401 °C - Relative self-ignition temperature for solids does not ignite
Decomposition temperature: ca. 210 °C
pH: 6,5 - 7,5 at 10 g/l at 20 °C
Viscosity: Viscosity, kinematic: No data available; Viscosity, dynamic: No data available
Water solubility: No data available
Partition coefficient n-octanol/water: log Pow: -2,35 at 23 °C

Vapor pressure: No data available
Density: 1,856 g/cm3 at 20,4 °C - OECD Test Guideline 109
Relative density: >= 1,85 at 20,4 °C - OECD Test Guideline 109
Relative vapour density: No data available
Particle characteristics: No data available
Explosive properties: Not classified as explosive
Oxidizing properties: none
Other safety information: No data available

FIRST AID MEASURES of ACESULFAME K:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation: 
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact: 
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. 
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact: 
Rinse out with plenty of water. 
Call in ophthalmologist. 
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing: 
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most). 
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of ACESULFAME K:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains. 
Collect, bind, and pump off spills. 
Observe possible material restrictions. 
Take up dry. 
Dispose of properly. 
Clean up affected area.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of ACESULFAME K:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 
Foam 
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of ACESULFAME K:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection. 
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A 
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.

HANDLING and STORAGE of ACESULFAME K:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed. 
Dry.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of ACESULFAME K:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature).
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available

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