ACESULFAME POTASSIUM
Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free artificial sweetener belonging to the sulfonamide class, known for its rapid onset of sweetness and high sweetening power.
Acesulfame potassium is a white, crystalline, odorless powder that remains chemically stable across a wide pH range and at high temperatures, making it suitable for processed and baked foods with long shelf lives.
Due to its clean taste and frequent use in blends with sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose, acesulfame potassium is extensively applied in soft drinks, chewing gum, pharmaceuticals, oral care products, and diet foods.
CAS Number: 55589-62-3
EC Number: 259-715-3
Molecular Formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular Weight: 201.24
Synonyms: 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, NSC-760104, E950, E-950, Acesulfamepotassium, MFCD00043833, 761 - Sweeteners, MLS006010910, Acesulfame potassium 1000 microg/mL in Acetonitrile, CHEMBL1351474, HY-D0195R, Acesulfame K, analytical standard, 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, 1ST5101, CCG-213614, NCGC00090729-02, NCGC00257361-01, NCGC00259972-01, AS-12294, DA-70485, SMR001595518, A1490, Acesulfame K, for food analysis, >=99.0%, CS-0010111
Acesulfame potassium is a high-intensity, non-nutritive artificial sweetener widely used as a sugar substitute in food and beverage products.
Acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of acesulfame, with the molecular formula C₄H₄KNO₄S, and appears as a white, crystalline, odorless powder.
Acesulfame potassium is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose, yet it provides no calories because it is not metabolized by the human body and is excreted unchanged.
Acesulfame potassium is highly soluble in water and exhibits excellent thermal and chemical stability, retaining its sweetness under heat, acidic conditions, and during long storage.
Due to its clean sweet taste, rapid onset of sweetness, and frequent use in combination with other sweeteners to improve flavor profile, acesulfame potassium is extensively used in soft drinks, baked goods, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, and tabletop sweeteners.
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.
Acesulfame potassium is widely used in the food industry, such as mouthwash and soft drinks.
However, some researches have found that Acesulfame potassium does harm to the liver and nervous system.
Acesulfame potassium occurs as a colorless to white-colored, odorless, crystalline powder with an intensely sweet taste.
Acesulfame potassium, is a sweetener that resembles saccharin in structure and taste profile.
Acesulfame potassium, the first of many sweet compounds belonging to the dihydrooxathiazinone dioxide class, was discovered accidentally in 1967.
Acesulfame potassium is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener widely used in a variety of food and beverage products.
Acesulfame potassium is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose, or table sugar, and provides a sweet taste without adding calories, making it a popular choice for sugar-free and reduced-calorie products.
Due to Acesulfame potassium's intense sweetness, only small amounts are needed to achieve the desired sweetness level in foods and drinks.
Chemically, Acesulfame potassium is known by its formula C₄H₄KNO₄S, and it has a molecular weight of about 201.24 g/mol.
Acesulfame potassium's structure allows it to remain stable under a wide range of pH levels and at high temperatures, which is why it is commonly used in products that require long shelf lives or involve cooking and baking processes.
This stability ensures that the sweetener retains Acesulfame potassium's potency and effectiveness even in processed or cooked foods.
Acesulfame potassium is a synthetic calorie-free sugar substitute (artificial sweetener) often marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One.
In the European Union, Acesulfame potassium is known under the E number (additive code) E950.
Acesulfame potassium was discovered accidentally in 1967 by German chemist Karl Clauss at Hoechst AG (now Nutrinova).
Acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide.
Acesulfame potassium is a white crystalline powder.
Acesulfame potassium 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 potassium has a slightly bitter aftertaste, especially at high concentrations.
Acesulfame potassium is often blended with other sweeteners (usually sucralose or aspartame).
In carbonated drinks, Acesulfame potassium is almost always used in conjunction with another sweetener, such as aspartame or sucralose.
Acesulfame potassium 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.
Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free artificial sweetener commonly used in food and beverages.
Acesulfame potassium is about 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) and is often used in combination with other sweeteners to provide a sugar-like taste while reducing overall calorie content.
Acesulfame potassium provides sweet taste quickly after it is consumed.
Eventually, Acesulfame potassium is completely absorbed into our blood from the gut, filtered out by our kidneys, and rapidly excreted unchanged in urine—all within about 24 hours.
Small amounts of acesulfame potassium can also be excreted in the breast milk of lactating women.
Acesulfame potassium is a highly versatile artificial sweetener that manufacturers use in a wide range of foods and drinks.
Acesulfame potassium is an artificial sweetener.
The use of artificial sweeteners has been controversial given some of their potential health risks.
Acesulfame potassium is a synthetic, high-intensity sweetener that belongs to the sulfonamide class of compounds and is widely used as a non-caloric alternative to sugar.
Chemically, Acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of acesulfame, characterized by a cyclic sulfonyl amide structure that gives it exceptional stability.
Acesulfame potassium appears as a white, crystalline, odorless powder and has a sweetness intensity about 180–200 times greater than that of sucrose.
Unlike sugars, acesulfame potassium is not metabolized by the body and is excreted unchanged, meaning it does not contribute calories or affect blood glucose levels.
One of Acesulfame potassium's most important features is its high thermal and pH stability, which allows it to retain sweetness during baking, pasteurization, and long-term storage, even under acidic conditions.
Sensory-wise, Acesulfame potassium provides a rapid onset of sweetness with a clean taste, although it is often blended with other sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose to create a more sugar-like flavor profile and reduce aftertaste.
Acesulfame potassium is extensively used in beverages, confectionery, baked goods, dairy products, chewing gum, pharmaceuticals, and dietary products designed for diabetic and calorie-controlled diets.
Uses of Acesulfame Potassium:
Acesulfame potassium is widely used as a high-intensity, non-caloric sweetener in a variety of food, beverage, and pharmaceutical products.
Acesulfame potassium is commonly added to soft drinks, flavored waters, and energy beverages to provide sweetness without contributing calories.
In food products such as baked goods, desserts, confectionery, chewing gum, and dairy items, Acesulfame potassium is valued for its excellent heat and pH stability, which allows it to retain sweetness during processing and storage.
Acesulfame potassium is also used in tabletop sweeteners and in diet or sugar-free foods formulated for weight management and diabetic consumers.
Additionally, Acesulfame potassium is frequently blended with other sweeteners to improve flavor quality and reduce aftertaste, and it is widely applied in pharmaceutical formulations and oral care products to mask unpleasant tastes without promoting tooth decay.
Acesulfame potassium 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.
Acesulfame potassium which is based on its following relationships to acetocetic acid and sulfanic acid, and to its potassium salt nature.
Acesulfame potassium is 200 times as sweet as sugar and is not metabolized and is thus noncaloric.
Acesulfame potassium is exceptionally stable at elevated temperatures encountered in baking, and it is also stable in acidic products, such as carbonated soft drinks.
Acesulfame potassium has a synergistic effect when mixed with other low-calorie sweetners, such as aspartame.
Common applications of Acesulfame potassium are table uses, chewing gums, beverages, foods, bakery products, confectionary, oral hygiene products, and pharmaceuticals.
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.
Acesulfame potassium 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.
Acesulfame potassium enhances flavor systems and can be used to mask some unpleasant taste characteristics.
Acesulfame potassium is widely used in the human diet and excreted by the kidneys.
Due to its heat stability, Acesulfame potassium is used in low-calorie and sugar-free baked products like cookies, cakes, and pastries, where it maintains sweetness even after baking.
Found in sugar-free or low-calorie dairy items such as yogurt, ice cream, and puddings.
Acesulfame potassium is used in sugar-free candies, chewing gum, and chocolate to provide a sweet flavor without sugar.
Acesulfame potassium included in low-calorie or reduced-sugar jams and preserves to retain sweetness.
Added to sugar-free or reduced-calorie sauces, salad dressings, and condiments.
Acesulfame potassium is used to mask the bitter taste of certain liquid medications, chewable tablets, and oral suspensions.
Beverages:
Acesulfame potassium is used in soft drinks, flavored waters, energy drinks, and powdered beverages to provide intense sweetness without added calories.
Food Products:
Acesulfame potassium is incorporated into baked goods, desserts, confectionery, chewing gum, and dairy products due to its excellent heat and pH stability.
Tabletop Sweeteners:
Acesulfame potassium is used in tabletop sweeteners in powder or tablet form as a direct sugar substitute.
Diet and Low-Calorie Foods:
Acesulfame potassium is included in diet, sugar-free, and diabetic food products because it does not affect blood glucose levels.
Sweetener Blends:
Acesulfame potassium is frequently combined with other high-intensity sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or stevia to improve taste and reduce aftertaste.
Pharmaceuticals:
Acesulfame potassium is used in syrups, chewable tablets, and effervescent formulations to mask bitter or unpleasant drug tastes.
Oral Care Products:
Acesulfame potassium is added to toothpaste and mouthwash to enhance flavor without contributing to dental caries.
Nutritional and Sports Products:
Acesulfame potassium is applied in protein powders, vitamin supplements, and sports nutrition products to provide sweetness without caloric intake.
Features of Acesulfame Potassium:
High Sweetening Power:
Acesulfame potassium is approximately 180–200 times sweeter than sucrose, allowing very small amounts to be used.
Zero-Calorie Sweetener:
Acesulfame potassium is not metabolized by the human body and does not contribute calories.
Excellent Thermal Stability:
Acesulfame potassium remains stable at high temperatures, making it suitable for baking and heat-processed foods.
pH Stability:
Acesulfame potassium maintains sweetness under acidic and alkaline conditions, ideal for beverages and dairy products.
Rapid Sweetness Onset:
Acesulfame potassium provides an immediate sweet taste with a clean flavor profile.
Blood Sugar Friendly:
Acesulfame potassium does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels, making it suitable for diabetic diets.
Synergistic Blending Ability:
Acesulfame potassium blends well with other sweeteners to enhance overall sweetness and reduce aftertaste.
Good Water Solubility:
Acesulfame potassium dissolves easily in water, allowing uniform sweetness in liquid formulations.
Dental Friendly:
Acesulfame potassium does not promote tooth decay and is suitable for oral care products.
Production of Acesulfame Potassium:
Acesulfame potassium is produced through a multistep chemical synthesis that begins with acetoacetic acid derivatives, which are reacted with sulfamic acid to form the acesulfame ring structure.
This intermediate is then cyclized to produce acesulfame, followed by neutralization with potassium hydroxide or another suitable potassium source to form the potassium salt.
The process is carefully controlled to ensure high purity and consistent crystal formation.
After synthesis, the product is purified by crystallization, filtered, dried, and milled to obtain a white, crystalline powder that meets food- and pharmaceutical-grade specifications.
Industrial production emphasizes strict quality control, as well as compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, to ensure suitability for use in beverages, foods, and medicinal products.
History of Acesulfame Potassium:
Acesulfame potassium was discovered in 1967 by the German chemist Karl Clauss while working at Hoechst AG during research on new chemical compounds.
Acesulfame potassium's intense sweetness was identified accidentally when Clauss noticed a sweet taste after contact with the compound, a common route of discovery for several artificial sweeteners.
Following extensive toxicological and metabolic studies, acesulfame potassium was approved for use as a food additive in many countries, beginning in Europe in the 1980s.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval in 1988 for specific food applications, with broader approvals following in later years.
Since then, acesulfame potassium has become one of the most widely used high-intensity sweeteners worldwide, particularly valued for its stability, safety profile, and suitability for low-calorie and sugar-free products.
Stability and Reactivity of Acesulfame Potassium:
Chemical Stability:
Acesulfame potassium is chemically stable under normal ambient temperatures and recommended storage conditions.
Acesulfame potassium does not undergo decomposition during routine handling and food-processing operations, including heating and long-term storage.
Reactivity:
Acesulfame potassium is generally non-reactive and does not participate in hazardous chemical reactions under normal conditions.
Acesulfame potassium does not undergo Maillard reactions and remains stable across a wide pH range.
Conditions to Avoid:
Avoid excessive moisture, prolonged exposure to very high temperatures, and contamination with incompatible materials that could compromise product quality.
Incompatible Materials:
Strong oxidizing agents should be avoided, as they may cause degradation under extreme conditions.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Under fire or extreme thermal conditions, decomposition may produce carbon oxides (CO, CO₂), sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides.
Handling and Storage of Acesulfame Potassium:
Safe Handling:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and food safety practices.
Avoid generating excessive dust during handling.
Use appropriate ventilation to minimize airborne particles.
Hygiene Measures:
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in handling areas.
Remove contaminated clothing and clean before reuse.
Storage Requirements:
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Protect from moisture and humidity to prevent caking and maintain product quality.
Packaging Integrity:
Keep containers tightly closed when not in use.
Use food-grade, moisture-resistant packaging materials.
Shelf Stability:
Acesulfame potassium has good shelf stability and typically maintains quality for 24–36 months when stored under recommended conditions.
First Aid Measures of Acesulfame Potassium:
Inhalation:
Move the exposed person to fresh air.
If dust inhalation causes irritation or discomfort, seek medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Wash skin with soap and water.
Acesulfame potassium is not expected to cause skin irritation under normal conditions.
Eye Contact:
Rinse eyes cautiously with clean water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do.
Seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Ingestion is not expected to be harmful at normal exposure levels.
Seek medical attention if discomfort occurs.
Notes for Physician:
Treatment should be supportive and based on symptoms.
No specific antidote is required.
Firefighting Measures of Acesulfame Potassium:
Flammability:
Acesulfame potassium is not flammable and does not support combustion.
Suitable Extinguishing Media:
Use extinguishing media appropriate for surrounding materials, including water spray, foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Hazardous Combustion Products:
Thermal decomposition may release carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides.
Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing when fighting fires involving surrounding materials.
Specific Hazards:
Product dust may become airborne during firefighting and reduce visibility.
Accidental Release Measures of Acesulfame Potassium:
Personal Precautions:
Avoid breathing dust.
Ensure adequate ventilation and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Environmental Precautions:
The material is not classified as environmentally hazardous.
Prevent unnecessary dispersion of dust into the environment.
Cleanup Methods:
Sweep or vacuum spilled material using dust-minimizing methods.
Avoid dry brushing or compressed air.
Collect into suitable containers for disposal.
Additional Advice:
Clean contaminated surfaces with water after removal of bulk material.
Exposure Controls / Personal Protective Equipment of Acesulfame Potassium:
Engineering Controls:
General ventilation is normally sufficient.
Use local exhaust ventilation where dust generation is significant.
Respiratory Protection:
Not normally required.
Use a dust mask or particulate respirator if airborne dust is generated.
Hand Protection:
Protective gloves are not required under normal handling conditions but may be used for prolonged contact.
Eye Protection:
Safety glasses are recommended in dusty environments.
Skin and Body Protection:
No special protective clothing is required.
Environmental Exposure Controls:
No special environmental controls are required under normal use.
Identifiers of Acesulfame Potassium:
Chemical name: Acesulfame potassium
Common name: Acesulfame K
IUPAC name: Potassium (E)-6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide
E number (EU): E950
Molecular formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular weight: 201.24 g/mol
CAS Registry Number: 55589-62-3
EC (EINECS) Number: 259-715-3
UNII: 7WQW5J8Q4R
Chemical name: Acesulfame potassium
Common name: Acesulfame K
E number (EU): E950
INS number (Codex): INS 950
Molecular formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular weight: 201.24 g/mol
CAS Registry Number: 55589-62-3
EC (EINECS) Number: 259-715-3
UNII: 7WQW5J8Q4R
Chemical class: High-intensity artificial sweetener; sulfonamide derivative
Structural type: Cyclic sulfamate (oxathiazinone dioxide)
InChI: InChI=1S/C4H5NO4S.K/c1-2-3(6)5-9(7,8)4(2)10;/h1H3,(H,5,6);/q;+1
InChIKey: XJAGJZJQXKZBMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: CC1=NS(=O)(=O)OC(=O)C1.[K+]
Properties of Acesulfame Potassium:
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: 0.291Pa at 25℃
storage temp.: Inert atmosphere,Room Temperature
solubility: Soluble in water, very slightly soluble in acetone and in ethanol (96 per cent).
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℃
Physical state: White, crystalline, odorless powder
Chemical class: High-intensity artificial sweetener (sulfonamide derivative)
Molecular formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular weight: 201.24 g/mol
Sweetness intensity: ~180–200 times sweeter than sucrose
Taste profile: Rapid onset of sweetness; clean taste, slight bitter note at high concentrations
Solubility: Highly soluble in water; moderately soluble in ethanol
Volatility: Non-volatile
Specifications of Acesulfame Potassium:
Chemical name: Acesulfame potassium
Synonyms: Acesulfame K; Potassium acesulfame
E number (EU): E950
INS number: 950
CAS number: 55589-62-3
EC (EINECS) number: 259-715-3
Molecular formula: C4H4KNO4S
Molecular weight: 201.24 g/mol
Appearance: White, crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Taste: Intensely sweet, clean sweetness with slight bitter note at high concentrations
Sweetness potency: Approximately 180–200 times sweeter than sucrose
Purity: ≥ 99.0% (food and pharmaceutical grade)
Loss on drying: ≤ 1.0%
pH (1% aqueous solution): 6.5–7.5
Potassium content: Within pharmacopeial limits
