Acesulfame Potassium

Brief Overview

Acesulfame potassium, also known by ace K, acesulfame K, is an artificial sweetener used in foods. It is almost 200 times sweeter than sugar and is also found not to change blood insulin levels. Thus, it is commonly called as diabetic sweetener. Acesulfame K is usually mixed with other artificial sweeteners. The other two sweeteners masks the bitterness of acesulfame lave in our mouth. In its solid form, acesulfame-K is highly stable at room temperature, even in the presence of light. When in solution, its stability is dependent on pH and temperature. Glycaemic index of acesulfame potassium is zero and it is one of the cheapest sweeteners.    

Manufacturing Process

In the first step, sulphamic acid and amine are made to react to produce amido sulphamic acid salt. Simultaneously, acetic acid and amine react to give triethylammonium acetate. In the second step, the amido sulphamic acid salt reacts with diketene and gives acetoacetamide salt. This reaction takes place between -30 to 50 °C and for 0.5 to 12 hours. The final step is cyclization, where acetoacetamide salt is subjected to -70 to 175 °C and between 0.01 to 10 MPa, is hydrolysed , neutralised and finally purified to give acesulfame K.

Food Industry

Used in candies, ice cream, jellies, jams and beverages, etc. Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free sweetener that replaces sugar in foods and beverages to add sweetness without adding extra calories.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Used in mouthwash, toothpastes, cough syrups etc. Since to get the same sweetness, we have to use sugar atleast 3 times the weight than acesulphame K, this sweetener is used.