General Description
Synonyms
Acesulfame K; ace K; acesulfamum kalicum; E950; 6-methyl-3,4- dihydro-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide potassium salt
Description
Acesulfame potassium occurs as a colorless to white-colored, odorless, crystalline powder with an intensely sweet taste.
Chemical Name: 6-Methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide potassium salt
Uses
- Acesulfame potassium 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.
- It enhances flavor systems and can be used to mask some unpleasant taste characteristics.
Safety
Acesulfame potassium 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.
Handling Precautions
Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection, gloves, and a dust mask are recommended.
Related Substances
Alitame.