A Controversial

ASPARTAME Sweetener
Presentation by: Megan L
Martin and Thomas Goeke
PRODUCTION OF
ASPARTAME
Made in a lab setting by coupling together L-phenylalanine and L-
aspartic acid
Aspartame can be made both chemically and enzymatically
Most often is produced in an enzymatic process, because the end
product does not need to be purified and separated. The only
substance produced is the sweetener, alpha-aspartame.
The chemical process produces alpha-aspartame as well as the
waste product beta-aspartame. This then needs to be purified and
separated through other chemical processes.
COMMON USES OF
ASPARTAME
Most widely used as a artificial sweetener
Is used in over 6,000 products
Some examples include
Tabletop Sweeteners
Chewing Gum
Breakfast Cereal
Soft Drinks (Most often Diet, or Colorful Flavored Sodas)
Powdered Drinks

Also used in other applications

Can be found in Childrens Medicine
Used as a Flavor Enhancer and Preservative
Used in various Cosmetic Products
ABSORPTION AND CHEMICAL
BREAKDOWN
Upon Digestion, broken down into three main chemical
compounds
Aspartic Acid
Phenylalanine
Methanol

All are found and consumed from other common foods

Are absorbed through the small intestine and then enter blood
stream
No studies indicate receiving these compounds from aspartame
has different effects than other natural sources
NUTRITIONAL POSITIVES
No outright benefits
Have been found useful in treating and creating foods for various
diseases
Diabetes
Reactive Hyperglycemia

Has been a valuable alternative in fighting obesity and highly

caloric diets
Much cheaper to produce and use (in comparison to other non-
nutritive sweeteners
SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN
HAZARDS
Many claims have been made regarding negative effects
Including..
Carcinogen
Mood Effects
Enhanced Susceptibility to Seizures
Higher Frequency of Migraines
Decreased Cognitive Function
However SOME Caution is Advised

Not many have been definitively proven

Nothing Generated to Change FDA status of Aspartame
SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN
HAZARDS
Proven Effects Include
Allergic Reaction
Increase in Irritability
Phenylalanine Poisoning in individuals with
phenylketonuria
CONCLUSION
Based on Scientific Research there is no significant reasons to be
found stating that Aspartame is harmful.
Some doubts still exist, however, there are practical uses of
Aspartame
It is the consumers personal choice
However still in many peoples opinion a viable low-calorie sugar
substitute
 REFERENCES
Aspartame study findings published. (2015). Food & Soffritti, M., Padovani, M., Tibaldi, E.,
Drink Technology, 14(7), 8. Falcioni, L.,
Lindseth, G. N., Coolahan, S. E., Petros, T. V., &
Manservisi, F., & Belpoggi, F. (2014). The
Lindseth, P. D. (2014). Neurobehavioral Effects of
Aspartame Consumption. Research In Nursing & carcinogenic effects of aspartame: The
Health, 37(3), 1851939p.doi:10.1002/nur.21595 urgent
National Center for Biotechnology Information. need for regulatory re-evaluation.
PubChem Compound Database; CID=134601, American
<https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound
Journal Of Industrial Medicine, 57(4),
/134601>(accessed Oct. 22, 2015).
Saravis, S., Schachar, R., Zlotkin, S., Leiter, L.A., &
383-397.
Anderson, G. H. (1990). Aspartame: Effects on doi:10.1002/ajim.22296
Learning, Behavior, and Mood. Pediatrics, 86(1), Tandel, K. R. (2011). Sugar substitutes:
75. Health
controversy over perceived benefits.
Journal Of
ANY QUESTIONS?