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E 950 Acesulfame K is approved for use in food as a sweetener.
E 950 Acesulfame K is included in the ingredient list on the food label as acesulfame K, acesulfame potassium, or Ace-K.
E 950 Acesulfame K is regulates as a food additive.
CAS Number: 55589-62-3
Molecular Formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular Weight: 201.24
EINECS Number: 259-715-3
Synonyms: Acesulfame potassium, 55589-62-3, Acesulfame K, potassium 6-methyl-4-oxo-4H-1,2,3-oxathiazin-3-ide 2,2-dioxide, 6-Methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide potassium salt, Acesulfame (potassium), Acesulfame-K, Potassium acesulfame, Otizon, Acesulfame-potassium, Potassium acesulfamate, potassium;6-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1-oxa-2lambda6-thia-3-azanidacyclohex-5-en-4-one, Acesulfame potassium salt, DTXSID1030606, Sunett d, E 950, NCGC00090729-01, DTXCID9010606, Acesulfame potassium (NF), INS NO.950, INS-950, Potassium 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide, CAS-55589-62-3, 1,2,3-Oxathiazin-4(3H)-one, 6-methyl-, 2,2-dioxide, potassium salt, NSC-760104, E950, E-950, Acesulfamepotassium, MFCD00043833, 761 - Sweeteners, MLS006010910, Acesulfame potassium 1000 microg/mL in Acetonitrile, CHEMBL1351474, 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, D08836, Acesulfame potassium, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard, Acesulfame potassium, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard, Acesulfame K, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material, 6-METHYL-1,2,3-OXATHIAZIN-4(3H)-ONE 2,2-DIOXIDE POTASSIUM SALT;ACESULFAME K;ACESULFAME POTASSIUM SALT;ACESULFAME POTASSIUM(AK);ACESULPHAME-K;POTASSIUMACESULFAMEK;ASPARTAMEACESULPHAMESALT;ACESULPHAMEPOTASSIUM
E 950 Acesulfame K is highly stable under heat and across a wide range of pH levels, which makes it especially suitable for use in baking and processed foods where stability is important.
This sweetener was first discovered in 1967 and has been approved by health authorities including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
In Europe, it is labeled with the food additive code E950.
The FDA approved acesulfame potassium for use in specific food and beverage categories in 1988 and in 2003 approved it as a general-purpose sweetener and flavor enhancer in food, except in meat and poultry, under certain conditions of use.
E 950 Acesulfame K is widely used in the food industry, such as mouthwash and soft drinks. However, some researches have found that it does harm to the liver and nervous system.
E 950 Acesulfame K, is a calorie-free artificial sweetener used in a wide variety of food and beverage products.
E 950 Acesulfame K is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), which means only a very small amount is needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness.
This makes it a popular choice in sugar-free and "diet" products such as soft drinks, chewing gum, baked goods, and tabletop sweeteners.
E 950 Acesulfame K is often blended with other sweeteners, such as aspartame or sucralose, to create a more sugar-like taste and to mask any aftertaste that might be present when used alone.
E 950 Acesulfame K, the potassium salt of acesulfame, is a sweetener that resembles saccharin in structure and taste profile.
E 950 Acesulfame K, the first of many sweet compounds belonging to the dihydrooxathiazinone dioxide class, was discovered accidentally in 1967.
From these many sweet compounds, acesulfame was chosen for commercialization.
To improve water solubility, the potassium salt was made.
E 950 Acesulfame K was approved for dry product use in the United States in 1988 and in Canada in October, 1994.
In 2003, acesulfame-K was approved as a general purposes sweetener by the FDA.
E 950 Acesulfame K, also known as acesulfame K 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, it is known under the E number (additive code) E950.
E 950 Acesulfame K was discovered accidentally in 1967 by German chemist Karl Clauss at Hoechst AG (now Nutrinova).
E 950 Acesulfame K is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide.
It is a white crystalline powder with molecular formula C4H4KNO4S and a molecular weight of 201.24 g/mol.
E 950 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, it has a slightly bitter aftertaste, especially at high concentrations.
Kraft Foods patented the use of sodium ferulate to mask acesulfame's aftertaste.
E 950 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 its components.
E 950 Acesulfame K has a smaller particle size than sucrose, allowing for its mixtures with other sweeteners to be more uniform.
Unlike aspartame, E 950 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 potassium has a stable shelf life, it can eventually degrade to acetoacetamide, which is toxic in high doses.
In carbonated drinks, it is almost always used in conjunction with another sweetener, such as aspartame or sucralose.
E 950 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 potassium is listed as 15 mg/kg/day.
E 950 Acesulfame K is widely used in the human diet and excreted by the kidneys.
It thus has been used by researchers as a marker to estimate to what degree swimming pools are contaminated by urine.
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.
E 950 Acesulfame K is an artificial sweetener also known as Ace-K.
The use of artificial sweeteners has been controversial given some of their potential health risks.
But some of these sugar substitutes offer you a good way to cut back on the sweet stuff, and they have some health benefits, too.
E 950 Acesulfame K is an artificial sweetener commonly used in reduced sugar/calorie food, e.g., soft drinks, baked goods, confectionery, and dairy products.
E950 sweetener is applied to replace sugar by providing a sweet taste with no calories and zero glycemic index, which may be helpful in controlling weight & obesity and benefit to diabetes.
E 950 Acesulfame K is a versatile and effective sweetener that is around 200 times sweeter than conventional household sugar.
It is also known as E 950 and is ideal for applications where low-calorie sweetness is desired.
Whether in drinks such as soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit juices or in baked goods, desserts and dairy products - Acesulfame K provides an intense sweetness.
The flavour of E 950 Acesulfame K is very similar to that of household sugar, but in higher concentrations it tastes slightly bitter.
Incidentally, the K in the name stands for potassium salt and thus refers to one of the main components of the sweetener.
Thanks to its heat and acid resistance, acesulfame retains its sweetening power even in demanding manufacturing processes.
Thanks to these properties, it can also be used in cooking and baking.
E 950 Acesulfame K is a crystalline powder that is odourless and easily soluble in water.
In the food industry, acesulfame K is often used, sometimes in combination with aspartame.
In the European Union, it is listed as E950, and in other parts of the world, it may be labeled simply as Acesulfame K, Acesulfame potassium, or under trade names like Sunett or Sweet One.
In ingredient lists, it's often found in sugar-free or diet products and sometimes abbreviated as Ace-K.
Melting point: 229-232°C (dec.)
Boiling point: 210℃ [at 101 325 Pa]
Density: (solid) 1.81 g/cm³; d (bulk) 1.1-1.3 kg/dm³
Vapor pressure: 0.291 Pa at 25℃
Storage temp.: Inert atmosphere, Room Temperature
Solubility: Soluble in water, very slightly soluble in acetone and in ethanol (96 percent)
Form: Solid
Color: White crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless with sweet taste
Odor Type: Odorless
Water Solubility: Almost transparency
Merck: 14,37
BRN: 3637857
LogP: -2.35 at 23℃
E 950 Acesulfame K is synthesized from acetoacetic acid tertbutyl ester and fluorosulfonyl isocyanate.
The resulting compound is transformed to fluorosulfonyl acetoacetic acid amide, which is then cyclized in the presence of potassium hydroxide to form the oxathiazinone dioxide ring system.
Because of the strong acidity of this compound, the potassium salt is produced directly.
An alternative synthesis route for acesulfame potassium starts with the reaction between diketene and amidosulfonic acid.
In the presence of dehydrating agents, and after neutralization with potassium hydroxide, acesulfame potassium is formed.
In rats, E 950 Acesulfame K consumption from in-utero to post-weaning stages accelerated puberty onset, accompanied by increased brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expression.
Intracerebroventricular E 950 Acesulfame K injection also induced early puberty onset in rats.
In N44 hypothalamic neuron cells, E 950 Acesulfame K treatment increased reactive oxygen species production, which led to protein kinase A (PKA) activation and increased GnRH expression.
E 950 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 potassium.
Subsequent research showed a number of compounds with the same basic ring structure had different levels of sweetness.
E 950 Acesulfame K 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.
E 950 Acesulfame K first received approval for table top use in the United States in 1988.
E 950 Acesulfame K is about 180 to 200 times sweeter than sucrose, and while it has a fast onset of sweetness and a slight bitter aftertaste when used alone, it is often blended with other sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or sorbitol.
These combinations help to improve the overall flavor profile and create a more sugar-like taste, a phenomenon known as sweetener synergy.
This synergy also allows manufacturers to use smaller quantities of each sweetener, potentially reducing production costs and improving taste.
E 950 Acesulfame K possesses good stability. In the bulk form it shows no sign of decomposition at ambient temperature over many years.
In aqueous solutions (pH 3.0–3.5 at 208℃) no reduction in sweetness was observed over a period of approximately 2 years.
Stability at elevated temperatures is good, although some decomposition was noted following storage at 408℃ for several months.
Sterilization and pasteurization do not affect the taste of E 950 Acesulfame K.
The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place and protected from light.
The "K" in Acesulfame K stands for potassium, which is part of the compound’s chemical structure.
Despite its synthetic origin, Acesulfame K passes through the body unchanged and is not metabolized, which is why it contains zero calories and has no effect on blood sugar levels, making it suitable for people with diabetes.
One of the defining characteristics of E 950 Acesulfame K is that it is not metabolized by the human body.
After consumption, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted unchanged in urine, meaning it does not contribute calories or affect blood glucose levels.
Because of this, it is commonly used in products targeted at individuals with diabetes, those on low-calorie diets, or anyone looking to reduce sugar intake.
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database for oral and sublingual preparations.
Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients. Accepted for use in Europe as a food additive.
E 950 Acesulfame K is also accepted for use in certain food products in the USA and several countries in Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
E 950 Acesulfame K provides a sweet taste with no caloric value.
There is no high-quality evidence that using acesulfame potassium as a sweetener affects body weight or body mass index (BMI).
Macronutrient sugar substitutes – a category of sweeteners with low-calorie content but with functional properties similar to sugar.
This category includes polyols obtained by reducing mono and oligosaccharides, such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, etc.
E 950 Acesulfame K, designated as E950 in the European food additive coding system, is a non-nutritive, high-intensity artificial sweetener.
It was first discovered in 1967 by German chemists at Hoechst AG (now part of Celanese) and has since become a widely used ingredient in the food and beverage industry across the globe.
The compound is a white, crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water and possesses a clean, sweet taste.
Uses Of E 950 Acesulfame K:
E 950 Acesulfame K is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-l,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)- one-2,2-dioxide.
This sweetener was discovered in Germany and was first approved by the FDA in 1988 for use as a nonnutritive sweetener.
The complex chemical name of this substance led to the creation of the trademark common name, acesulfame-K, which is based on its following relationships to acetocetic acid and sulfanic acid, and to its potassium salt nature.
E 950 Acesulfame K is 200 times as sweet as sugar and is not metabolized and is thus noncaloric.
It is exceptionally stable at elevated temperatures encountered in baking, and it is also stable in acidic products, such as carbonated soft drinks.
E 950 Acesulfame K has a synergistic effect when mixed with other low-calorie sweetners, such as aspartame.
Common applications of E 950 Acesulfame K are table uses, chewing gums, beverages, foods, bakery products, confectionary, oral hygiene products, and pharmaceuticals.
'New generation', heat-stable sweetener that has not been suspected to cause cancer nor be genotoxic.
Allelic variation of the Tas1r3 gene affects behavioral taste responses to this molecule, suggesting that it is a T1R3 receptor ligand.
E 950 Acesulfame K is used as an intense sweetening agent in cosmetics, foods, beverage products, table-top sweeteners, vitamin and pharmaceutical preparations, including powder mixes, tablets, and liquid products.
It is widely used as a sugar substitute in compounded formulations,and as a toothpaste sweetener.
The approximate sweetening power is 180–200 times that of sucrose, similar to aspartame, about one-third as sweet as sucralose, one-half as sweet as sodium saccharin, and about 4-5 times sweeter than sodium cyclamate.
E 950 Acesulfame K enhances flavor systems and can be used to mask some unpleasant taste characteristics.
E 950 Acesulfame K is used extensively as a low-calorie artificial sweetener in a wide range of food and beverage products where sugar reduction is desired without sacrificing sweetness.
Its ability to deliver intense sweetness without contributing calories makes it an ideal choice for products targeting health-conscious consumers, including those managing diabetes, following weight-loss programs, or simply trying to reduce their intake of sugar and carbohydrates.
One of the primary uses of E 950 Acesulfame K is in the production of soft drinks, especially those marketed as "diet" or "sugar-free."
E 950 Acesulfame K is often used alone or in combination with other sweeteners to create a balanced, sugar-like taste that appeals to consumers.
Thanks to its heat stability, it retains its sweetness even during high-temperature processing, which makes it particularly valuable in the manufacture of carbonated beverages, where stability under pressure and temperature is crucial.
In the baking industry, E 950 Acesulfame K is frequently used in low-sugar or sugar-free versions of cakes, cookies, pastries, and other baked goods.
Its ability to withstand high temperatures without breaking down or losing sweetness means that it can be incorporated into doughs and batters that require baking or frying, maintaining its flavor throughout the cooking process.
E 950 Acesulfame K is also found in dairy products such as flavored yogurts, puddings, and ice creams, where it helps enhance sweetness without adding extra calories.
In many cases, E 950 Acesulfame K is blended with other sweeteners to improve the flavor profile and to mask any potential aftertaste.
Another significant application is in the production of chewing gum, breath mints, and candy, where Acesulfame K provides long-lasting sweetness.
It is especially useful in products that are meant to remain in the mouth for extended periods because it does not ferment in the mouth and therefore does not contribute to tooth decay.
In pharmaceuticals, E 950 Acesulfame K is commonly used to improve the taste of oral medications, chewable tablets, and liquid formulations such as syrups.
Many medicinal products contain bitter or unpleasant active ingredients, and the addition of Acesulfame K helps to make them more palatable, especially for children and sensitive patients.
Additionally, E 950 Acesulfame K is often used in nutritional supplements, protein powders, and vitamin drinks, where it masks the often bitter or metallic taste of minerals, amino acids, or herbal extracts.
Because it is non-caloric and non-glycemic, it fits well into products formulated for sports nutrition, ketogenic diets, and low-carb lifestyles.
E 950 Acesulfame K appears in tabletop sweeteners, either as a standalone product or as part of a blend with other sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame.
These sweeteners are typically used by individuals who want to add sweetness to tea, coffee, or cereals without consuming sugar.
Safety Profile Of E 950 Acesulfame K:
When heated to decompositionemits toxic fumes of SOx.
E 950 Acesulfame K is widely used in beverages, cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceutical formulations, and is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material.
Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that acesulfame potassium is not metabolized and is rapidly excreted unchanged in the urine.
Long-term feeding studies in rats and dogs showed no evidence to suggest acesulfame potassium is mutagenic or carcinogenic.
The WHO has set an acceptable daily intake for acesulfame potassium of up to 15 mg/kg body-weight.
The Scientific Committee for Foods of the European Union has set a daily intake value of up to 9 mg/kg of body-weight.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its general use as a safe food additive in 1988, and maintains that safety assessment, as of 2023.
In a 2000 scientific review, the European Food Safety Authority determined that E 950 Acesulfame K is safe in typical consumption amounts, and does not increase the risk of diseases.
E 950 Acesulfame K is considered safe for human consumption by major regulatory authorities when used within the established limits, but like many food additives, it has been the subject of scientific evaluation and occasional debate.
Regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have all reviewed toxicological data and concluded that E 950 Acesulfame K is not harmful to human health when consumed within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), which is 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
While not a toxic hazard, E 950 Acesulfame K is known to have a slightly bitter or metallic aftertaste, especially at high concentrations.
Some people may be more sensitive to this and find it unpalatable, which could limit its use in certain applications.
Though rare, a small number of individuals may report symptoms that they attribute to consuming artificial sweeteners, such as headaches, nausea, or mild gastrointestinal discomfort.
These reactions are not commonly documented in clinical settings but are occasionally noted anecdotally.
