Aspartame is very popular artificial sweetener with very low calorific value. Aspartame has a sugar-like taste. It can be safely heated to high temperatures with some loss of sweeteners.
Aspartame is approximately 160 to 220 times sweeter than sucrose and has acceptable flavor with no bitter aftertaste. It is used as a sugar substitute in many food items including low calorie soft drinks, sugar free chewing gum and as table top sweeteners.
Aspartame is very much popular owing to its reduced costs, low caloric intake, attractive advertisements and assurance to contribute in weight management.
Scientists have found that aspartame is generally safe for most people to consume. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been intensively studied for its safety to ensure the safety of the food and drinks sold in the United States, approved aspartame in 1981 after extensive studies found that it was safe for use as a sweetener.
Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by G. D. Searle when he was studying new treatments for gastric ulcers. Tetrapeptide is normally produced in the stomach which was used by the biologist to test new antiulcer drugs. When chemist was synthesis this tetrapeptide, accidentally, a small amount of the compound landed on the chemist’s hand.
Aspartame: Artificial sweetener
