Neotame

Chemical structure of neotame.

Neotame is an artificial sweetener made by NutraSweet that is between 8,000 and 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). Neotame is moderately heat stable and extremely potent, and is considered to be of no danger to those suffering from phenylketonuria, as it does not metabolize into phenylalanine.Science Toys, Ingredient Listings. "Neotame Ingredients". Accessed August 31 2007. The product is rapidly metabolized, completely eliminated, and does not accumulate in the body.Dr. Abbott, P.J. "Neotame", "International Programme on Chemical Safety". Accessed August 31 2007. The major metabolic pathway is hydrolysis of the methyl ester by esterases that are present throughout the body, which yields de-esterified neotame and methanol.

Because only trace amounts of neotame are needed to sweeten foods, the amount of methanol derived from neotame is much lower than that found in common foods, such as fruit and vegetable juices.

The product is attractive to food manufacturers as its use greatly lowers the cost of production compared to using sugar or high fructose corn syrupFood Navigator, Finance and Industry News. "Cost is the key to neotame\'s success". Accessed August 31 2007. while also benefitting the consumer by providing fewer "empty" sugar calories and a lower impact on blood sugar.

It is chemically similar to the popular artificial sweetener aspartame, but is used at vastly lower levels and is much more stable. Chemically, it has a 3,3-dimethylbutyl group attached to the amino group of the aspartic acid portion of the molecule. Peptidases, which would typically break the peptide bond between the aspartic acid and phenylalanine moieties, are essentially blocked by the presence of the 3,3-dimethylbutyl moiety, thus reducing the availability of phenylalanine, thereby eliminating concerns those who suffer from phenylketonuria.

Neotame was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for general use in July 2002, but is not yet widely used in food products.

References

External links

• Official neotame website (\'Sweeteners Holdings, Inc.\')

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