Acesulfame potassium – high intensity sweetener for food and pharmaceutical applications

1. General introduction of Acesulfame potassium

Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, E950) is an artificial, non-nutritive high-intensity sweetener widely used in pharmaceutical and food applications. With a sweetness approximately 200 times that of sucrose, Ace-K enables significant sugar reduction while maintaining desirable sensory properties.

Ace-K is not metabolized in the human body; it is rapidly absorbed and excreted unchanged via urine. Therefore, it provides no caloric value and does not affect blood glucose levels, making it suitable for diabetic-friendly products and weight management formulations.

In industrial manufacturing, Acesulfame potassium is highly valued for its excellent chemical stability, broad compatibility with various ingredients, and cost-efficiency, making it a key functional ingredient in large-scale formulations.

2. Chemical composition of Acesulfame potassium

Acesulfame potassium is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1, 2, 3-oxathiazin-4(3H)-one-2, 2-dioxide. It is not metabolized in the body and therefore has no impact on blood glucose levels.

• Molecular formula: C₄H₄KNO₄S
• Molecular weight: 201.24 g/mol
• Melting point:~225°C
• pH stability: 2–10
• Appearance:white, odorless crystalline powder

These properties contribute to its high solubility, excellent thermal stability, and strong performance in acidic environments, making it suitable for beverages and pharmaceutical syrups.

3. Key advantages of Acesulfame potassium

• High sweetness intensity, cost-efficient formulation: Approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose, allowing very low usage levels and reducing formulation costs.
• Excellent thermal and pH stability: Stable under high temperatures and across pH 2–10, suitable for beverages, baked goods, pharmaceutical syrups and effervescent tablets.
• Effective taste masking and synergistic blending: Works well with sucralose or aspartame to enhance sweetness profile and reduce bitterness.
• Zero-calorie and non-glycemic: Not metabolized, making it suitable for diabetic-friendly and weight management products.
• Non-cariogenic: Does not promote tooth decay, suitable for oral care applications.
• Globally approved safety: Approved by major regulatory authorities such as FDA, EFSA, and JECFA, facilitating global commercialization.

4. Applications of Acesulfame potassium

Pharmaceutical applications

• Taste masking for bitter APIs: Used to mask bitterness in antibiotics, herbal extracts, and mineral formulations, improving patient compliance.
• Oral dosage forms: Applied in syrups, suspensions, chewable tablets, and ODTs without affecting API stability.
• Effervescent and functional formulations: Used in effervescent tablets and powder sachets (vitamins, electrolytes) to balance acidic taste and enhance palatability.

Personal care applications

• Oral care products: Found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and lozenges due to its non-cariogenic properties and pleasant sweetness.

Food applications

• Low-calorie and sugar-free products: Used in reduced-sugar formulations to maintain sweetness while lowering caloric content.
• Beverages and instant drink systems: Applied in soft drinks, instant coffee, instant tea, and powdered beverage bases due to its high solubility and stability.
• Dairy and dairy alternatives: Used in milk, yogurt, cream substitutes, and frozen desserts to reduce sugar while maintaining taste.
• Desserts and processed foods: Commonly used in ice cream, puddings, jellies, jams, marmalade, and dessert bases.
• Bakery and confectionery: Suitable for baked goods, candies (hard & soft), chewing gum, and breakfast cereals due to its heat stability.
• Sauces and savory applications: Used in sauces, marinades, salad dressings, and seasonings to balance flavor, especially in reduced-sugar products.
• Tabletop sweeteners and premixes: Used in tabletop sweeteners and powdered premixes for convenient sweetness control.

5. Commercial products using Acesulfame potassium

6. Product contact information

For more information about Acesulfame potassium supply, please contact us:

• Hotline: +84 (0) 834 560 500
• Email: biopharma@biorichpharma.com
• Website: www.biorichpharma.com
• Sample / COA request: Please contact us via email to receive product samples and the latest Certificate of Analysis (COA).