Neotame

Chemical properties

Neotame occurs as an odorless, white to off-white powder. It has an intense sweet taste 7000–13 000 times sweeter than sucrose depending on the matrix.

Chemical properties

Neotame is odorless and has an intense, sweet taste. It is 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose, depending on the food matrix. Normal metabolic processes convert neotame to de-esterified neotame and methanol. Based on its metabolism and extremely low use levels, neotame provides no calories. The stability of neotame is affected by moisture, pH and temperature

The Uses of Neotame

Neotame is a high intensity sweetener and flavor enhancer for use in foods, except in meat and poultry. it is 7,000–13,000 times sweeter than sugar and has a clean, sweet taste. it is a derivative of the dipep- tide composed of amino acids, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. it can be blended with nutritive sweeteners such as sucrose and high fructose corn syrup as well as with high intensity sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose. uses include beverages, baked goods, desserts, cereals. it functions as a flavor enhancer in certain applica- tions and flavor systems, such as mint-flavored chewing gum.

The Uses of Neotame

A labelled alkylated dipeptide reported to be 6000 to 10000 times sweeter than sucrose; structurally related to Aspartame. A non-nutritive sweetener.

What are the applications of Application

Neotame is a non-nutritive sweetener and an alkylated dipeptide

Definition

ChEBI: A dipeptide composed of N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-aspartic acid and methyl L-phenylalanate units joined by a peptide linkage.

Production Methods

Neotame is manufactured by the reaction of aspartame and 3,3- dimethylbutyraldehyde, followed by purification, drying, and milling.

Preparation

Neotame is manufactured by the reaction of aspartame and 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde, followed by purification, drying and milling

Benefits

Neotame is sweet. 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sugar. It has no unwanted off-taste or aftertaste that many other sweeteners is burden with. Neotame does not contribute energy (0 kcal), does not affect blood sugar levels (glycaemic index GI is 0) and does not cause caries. Compared to aspartame, it is cheaper and has several food technology advantages.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Neotame is a water-soluble, nonnutritive, intense sweetening agent used in beverages and foods. It is structurally related to aspartame and is about 7000–13 000 times sweeter than sucrose, and about 30–60 times sweeter than aspartame, making it the sweetest artificial sweetener available. Neotame is said to have a ‘clean’ sweet taste in contrast to the bitter, metallic aftertaste associated with saccharin. Although neotame has approximately the same caloric value as sucrose (1.2 kJ/g) the small quantities used to achieve a desired level of sweetness in a formulation mean that it is essentially nonnutritive.
Neotame may be used in sub-sweetening quantities as a flavor enhancer, e.g. with mint or strawberry flavor.

Safety

Neotame is a nonnutritive intense sweetening agent used in beverages and foods. Studies in animals and humans have shown that neotame is a relatively nontoxic, nonteratogenic, and noncarcinogenic substance. It is reported as safe for use during pregnancy and lactation, and by children and persons with diabetes.
At least 30% of ingested neotame is rapidly absorbed. Neotame is metabolized to de-esterified neotame and methanol, with practically all neotame being eliminated from the body in the urine and feces. Peak plasma concentrations of neotame are observed at approximately 30–60 minutes after ingestion. Human studies in healthy and diabetic patients suggest that neotame is well-tolerated at doses up to 1.5 mg/kg body-weight daily (the highest dose studied). Following reviews of over 100 animal and human toxicity studies the European Food Safety Authority and WHO have established an acceptable daily intake for neotame at up to 2 mg/kg body-weight.

Metabolism

In the body, neotame is broken down rapidly and completely. The residual products are de-esterified neotame (92 per cent) and methanol (8 per cent). 80 per cent have left the body the natural way within two days. The rest will follow. 64 per cent via faeces. The rest via urine. Nothing accumulates in the body.

storage

Neotame is stable in bakery products and pasteurized dairy products.
The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container, in a cool, dry place; it is stable for up to 5 years at room temperature.

Regulatory Status

Accepted for use as a food additive in several countries including the USA, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Approved for use in India in pharmaceutical preparations.