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Send EmailAspartame, Methyl Aspartylphenylalanate, Dipeptide Sweetener, E951, 22839-47-0
ASPARTAME – ASPARTAM
CAS Number: 22839-47-0
EC Number (EINECS): 245-261-3
Molecular Formula: C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅
Molecular Weight: 294.30 g/mol
E Number: E951
SECTION 1: CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND DEFINITION
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name (IUPAC) | Methyl (3S)-3-amino-3-[[(1S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl]amino]propanoate |
| Other Names | Aspartame, L-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, Asp-Phe Methyl Ester, Methyl Aspartylphenylalanate, Dipeptide Sweetener, Aspartic Acid Phenylalanine Methyl Ester |
| Chemical Formula | C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 294.30 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 22839-47-0 |
| EC Number (EINECS) | 245-261-3 |
| E Number | E951 (Sweetener) |
| Chemical Class | Dipeptide methyl ester |
| Appearance | White, crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Taste | Sweet (approx. 200 times sweeter than sucrose) |
| Physical State (20°C) | Solid (crystalline powder) |
| Discovery Year | 1965 |
SECTION 2: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White, crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Molecular Weight | 294.30 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 246 – 247 °C (decomposes) |
| Density (20°C) | ~1.35 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in Water (25°C, pH 2) | Soluble (~20 mg/mL) |
| Solubility in Water (25°C) | Slightly soluble |
| Solubility in Alcohol | Low |
| Solubility in Ethanol | Slightly soluble |
| pH (1% solution) | 4.5 – 6.0 |
| Sweetness (Sucrose = 100) | ~200 |
| Caloric Value | ~4 kcal/g (but used in very small amounts) |
| pKa | ~3.0 (carboxyl group) |
SECTION 3: CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 294.30 g/mol |
| Chemical Class | Dipeptide methyl ester |
| Structure | Aspartic acid + Phenylalanine methyl ester |
| SMILES | COC(=O)C(CC(=O)O)NC(=O)C(CC1=CC=CC=C1)N |
| InChI Key | IAOZJIPTCAWIRG-QWRGUYRKSA-N |
| Stability | Stable in dry conditions |
| Hydrolysis | Hydrolyzes in presence of moisture; breaks down to aspartylphenylalanine and other compounds |
| Heat Sensitivity | Heat sensitive; decomposes at high temperatures (limited use in baking) |
| pH Stability | Stable at acidic and neutral pH; unstable in alkaline conditions |
| Incompatible Materials | Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, moisture |
Chemical Structure:
O O
|| ||
HOOC-CH₂-CH-C-NH-CH-C-OCH₃
| |
NH₂ CH₂
|
C₆H₅
(L-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester / Aspartame)
SECTION 4: STABILITY AND DEGRADATION
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Moisture Sensitivity | Hydrolyzes in presence of moisture; loses sweetness |
| Heat Sensitivity | Decomposes at temperatures above 120°C; not suitable for baking |
| pH Stability | Most stable at pH 3.0 – 5.0; unstable in alkaline conditions |
| Hydrolysis Products | Aspartylphenylalanine and methanol |
| Storage Stability | Stable in dry, cool conditions; shelf life 24-36 months |
| Degradation Conditions | High temperature, high moisture, alkaline pH |
SECTION 5: MECHANISM OF ACTION (SWEET TASTE)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Taste Perception | Sweet taste; 200 times sweeter than sucrose |
| Receptor | Binds to sweet taste receptors (T1R2/T1R3) on the tongue |
| Onset of Sweetness | Slightly delayed compared to sucrose |
| Duration | Longer-lasting sweetness compared to sucrose |
| Aftertaste | May leave a slight bitter or metallic aftertaste in some individuals |
| Synergy | Synergistic effect with other sweeteners (acesulfame K, saccharin) |
SECTION 6: FOOD INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS (E951)
| Application | Function |
|---|---|
| Carbonated Beverages | Low-calorie sweetener (diet sodas) |
| Chewing Gum | Sweetener |
| Sugar-Free Yogurts | Sweetener |
| Low-Calorie Foods | Sweetener |
| Tabletop Sweeteners | Sweetener (powder or tablet form) |
| Ice Cream | Sweetener |
| Desserts and Puddings | Sweetener |
| Breakfast Cereals | Sweetener |
| Pharmaceutical Syrups | Sweetener |
| Chewable Tablets | Sweetener |
| Gelatin Desserts | Sweetener |
| Powdered Drink Mixes | Sweetener |
| Tea and Coffee | Sweetener |
SECTION 7: PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS
| Application | Function |
|---|---|
| Cough Syrups | Sweetener; taste masking |
| Liquid Formulations | Sweetener; taste masking |
| Chewable Tablets | Sweetener; taste improvement |
| Sugar-Free Liquid Formulations | Sweetener |
| Antibiotic Syrups | Sweetener; taste masking |
SECTION 8: OTHER APPLICATIONS
| Application | Function |
|---|---|
| Gelatin Production | Sweetener |
| Confectionery | Sweetener |
SECTION 9: COMPARISON WITH OTHER SWEETENERS
| Property | Aspartame (E951) | Sucralose (E955) | Saccharin (E954) | Acesulfame K (E950) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetness (Sucrose=100) | ~200 | ~600 | ~300-400 | ~200 |
| Calories | ~4 kcal/g | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Heat Stability | Low (not for baking) | High (baking suitable) | High | High |
| Aftertaste | Slight bitter/metallic | No | Metallic | Slight bitter |
| PKU Restriction | Yes (contains phenylalanine) | No | No | No |
| Synergy | With acesulfame K, saccharin | With other sweeteners | With other sweeteners | With aspartame |
SECTION 10: METABOLISM
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Absorption | Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract |
| Metabolism | Hydrolyzed in the intestine to aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol |
| Aspartic Acid | Metabolized like dietary aspartic acid |
| Phenylalanine | Essential amino acid; metabolized normally in healthy individuals |
| Methanol | Absorbed and metabolized to formaldehyde and formic acid; below toxic levels at normal intake |
| Excretion | Urine (metabolites) |
| ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) | 40 mg/kg body weight/day (JECFA, EFSA) |
SECTION 11: SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| PKU Warning | Contains phenylalanine; must be avoided by PKU patients |
| IARC Classification | Group 2B (Possibly carcinogenic to humans) – 2023 classification |
| WHO/EFSA Safety | Considered safe at ADI (40 mg/kg bw/day) |
| ADI (JECFA) | 40 mg/kg body weight/day |
| ADI (EFSA) | 40 mg/kg body weight/day |
| ADI (FDA) | 50 mg/kg body weight/day |
| FDA GRAS | Approved |
SECTION 12: GHS CLASSIFICATION
| Hazard Class | Category |
|---|---|
| Not classified as hazardous | - |
Hazard Statements
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| None | Not classified as hazardous |
Precautionary Statements
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P261 | Avoid breathing dust |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves/eye protection |
| P305+P351+P338 | IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; continue rinsing |
SECTION 13: TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Oral LD50 (Rat) | > 5,000 mg/kg |
| ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) | 40 mg/kg bw/day (JECFA/EFSA) |
| Carcinogenicity | IARC Group 2B (Possibly carcinogenic) – 2023 |
| Mutagenicity | Negative in standard tests |
| Reproductive Toxicity | No evidence of adverse effects at ADI levels |
| FDA GRAS | Approved |
| Methanol Formation | Below toxic levels at normal intake |
| Phenylalanine | Must be avoided by PKU patients |
SECTION 14: FIRST AID MEASURES
| Exposure Route | Action |
|---|---|
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air. If respiratory irritation persists, seek medical attention. |
| Skin Contact | Wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| Eye Contact | Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. |
| Ingestion | Rinse mouth. Drink plenty of water. Seek medical attention. |
SECTION 15: QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS (FOOD GRADE)
| Parameter | Specification (FCC / USP / Ph. Eur.) |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White, crystalline powder |
| Identification | Positive (Aspartame tests) |
| Assay (on dried basis) | 98.0 – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 4.5% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 0.2% |
| pH (1% solution) | 4.5 – 6.0 |
| Specific Rotation [α]D²⁰ | +14.5° to +16.5° |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 2 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 3 ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 1 ppm |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 1 ppm |
| Free Phenylalanine | ≤ 0.5% |
| Methanol | ≤ 0.1% |
| Diketopiperazine | ≤ 1.5% |
| Other Related Substances | ≤ 2.0% |
SECTION 16: MICROBIOLOGICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total Aerobic Mesophilic Bacteria | ≤ 1,000 CFU/g |
| Yeast and Mold | ≤ 100 CFU/g |
| Salmonella spp. | Negative in 25g |
| Escherichia coli | Negative in 10g |
SECTION 17: STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Storage Conditions | Cool (15-25°C), dry, well-ventilated area |
| Container Requirements | Tightly closed, original packaging |
| Protect From | Moisture (hydrolyzes), heat, strong oxidizing agents |
| Shelf Life | 24-36 months (unopened original packaging) |
| Stability Note | Hydrolyzes in presence of moisture; loses sweetness |
SECTION 18: PACKAGING OPTIONS
| Packaging Type | Quantity | Material |
|---|---|---|
| PE-lined kraft paper bag | 25 kg | Kraft paper + PE |
| Plastic pail | 20-25 kg | HDPE |
| Aluminum foil bag | 1-5 kg | Laminated aluminum |
| Fiber drum | 25-50 kg | HDPE + PE |
| Big-Bag | 500-1000 kg | Polypropylene |
SECTION 19: REGULATORY STATUS
| Region / Authority | Status |
|---|---|
| European Union | Approved as E951 |
| USA (FDA) | Approved (21 CFR 172.804) |
| Turkey | Approved (Turkish Food Codex) |
| JECFA (FAO/WHO) | Approved; ADI: 0-40 mg/kg bw/day |
| EFSA | Approved; ADI: 0-40 mg/kg bw/day |
| Codex Alimentarius | Approved (INS 951) |
| FCC | Monograph available |
| USP | Monograph available |
| Ph. Eur. | Monograph available |
SECTION 20: TRANSPORT INFORMATION
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| UN Number | Not regulated (not dangerous goods) |
| Hazard Class | Not applicable |
| Packing Group | Not applicable |
| ADR/RID | Not regulated |
| IMDG Code | Not regulated |
| IATA (Air) | Not regulated |
| Marine Pollutant | No |
SECTION 21: FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Fire Hazard | Combustible organic solid |
| Suitable Extinguishing Media | Water spray (mist), CO₂, dry chemical powder |
| Specific Hazards | When heated, emits toxic fumes (oxides of nitrogen) |
| Decomposition Products | NOx, CO, CO₂ |
| Protective Equipment | Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), full protective clothing |
SECTION 22: ACCIDENTAL SPILLAGE AND CLEANUP
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Personal Protection | Nitrile gloves, protective goggles, dust mask (N95) |
| Cleaning Methods | Collect mechanically (sweep or spatula) |
| Environmental Precautions | Prevent entry into drains, soil, and surface waters |
| Waste Disposal | According to local regulations; incineration or landfilling at licensed facilities |
SECTION 23: OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS
| Type | Name |
|---|---|
| Turkish Names | Aspartam, Aspartik Asit Fenilalanin Metil Ester, Dipeptid Tatlandırıcı |
| English Names | Aspartame, L-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, Methyl Aspartylphenylalanate |
| Abbreviation | APM |
| E Number | E951 |
| CAS Number | 22839-47-0 |
| EC Number | 245-261-3 |
| INCI | Aspartame |
Trade Names (Partial List):
-
NutraSweet®
-
Equal®
-
Canderel®
-
Pal Sweet® (Japan)
-
Various generics
SECTION 24: SUMMARY AND CRITICAL NOTES
Product Summary
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | Aspartame |
| CAS Number | 22839-47-0 |
| E Number | E951 |
| Appearance | White, crystalline powder |
| Molecular Weight | 294.30 g/mol |
| Sweetness | 200 times sucrose |
| Primary Function | Low-calorie sweetener |
| ADI | 40 mg/kg bw/day |
Critical Notes
-
Artificial Sweetener: Aspartame is a low-calorie, artificial sweetener discovered in 1965 while researching ulcer treatments.
-
Dipeptide Structure: Consists of aspartic acid and phenylalanine methyl ester; metabolized to its constituent amino acids.
-
200 Times Sweeter: Approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose; used in very small amounts.
-
Moisture Sensitivity: Hydrolyzes in presence of moisture; loses sweetness; must be stored in dry conditions.
-
Heat Sensitivity: Not suitable for baking; decomposes at high temperatures (>120°C).
-
PKU Restriction: Contains phenylalanine; must be avoided by phenylketonuria (PKU) patients.
-
ADI: Acceptable Daily Intake is 40 mg/kg body weight/day (JECFA/EFSA).
-
IARC Classification: Classified as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) in 2023; based on limited evidence.
-
Wide Applications: Used in carbonated beverages, chewing gum, yogurts, tabletop sweeteners, and pharmaceuticals.
-
Regulatory Status: Approved in EU (E951), FDA, JECFA, and Turkish Food Codex.
IMPORTANT DECLARATION: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and has been prepared based on available technical data. The user is responsible for determining the product's suitability for their specific application and for complying with all local, national, and international regulations. For complete safety, storage, use, transport, waste, and regulatory compliance information, refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier. This document does not replace medical advice. Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid this product.
