advantame

Advantame is a synthetic, high-intensity artificial sweetener used in foods and beverages. It is a dipeptide derivative of aspartame, developed by Ajinomoto. It is estimated to be about 20,000 times sweeter than sucrose, allowing very small amounts to achieve the desired sweetness.

Chemically, advantame is defined as N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. The molecule combines the aspartame dipeptide with a tert-butyl group to increase sweetness potency and stability.

Advantame is notable for heat stability and resilience across a range of pH values, making it suitable for use in baked goods, dairy products, beverages, and other processed foods. It can be used alone or in combination with other sweeteners to achieve a sugar-like taste while reducing overall sugar content.

Regulatory status varies by jurisdiction, but advantame has been approved for use as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in multiple countries, including major regulatory regions. Safety assessments conducted by authorities have concluded that advantame is safe for the general population at approved use levels. As with other dipeptide-based sweeteners, it contains phenylalanine and should be avoided by people with phenylketonuria (PKU).

Safety and consumption considerations include typical guidance on acceptable daily intake set by regulators and the possibility of individual sensitivity or aftertastes at higher concentrations. In product formulation, advantame is often used alongside other sweeteners to optimize flavor profile and reduce aftertaste.

Advantame is part of the broader category of ultra-high-intensity sweeteners and reflects ongoing research in creating sugar-reducing alternatives for food and beverage applications.