Neotame represent the new generation of sweeteners, its appearance is white crystalline powder (or kernel), it is 7000-13000 sweeter than sucrose and the thermostable performance is better than aspartame, while just cost 1/3 of aspartame. On July 9, 2002, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approve that neotame could be used in various food and beverages, On March 10, 2003, the Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China approved neotame as a new sweetener, the usage amount will depended on the detailed production process.

Product name: Neotame

Chemical name: N-[N-(3,3-Dimethy1buty1)-L-α-asparty1]-L-phenylalanine1-methy1 ester

Structural formula

CAS number: 165450-17-9

Molecular formula: C₂₀H₃₀N₂O₅

Appearance: White crystalline powder

Specifications: 

Neotame 97.0-102.0% Complies with JECFA (2003) / FCC VII / HT Standard

Products Feature

◆ Neotame's sweetness is 7000-13000 times of sucrose

◆ Taste good, similar to sucrose

◆ High stability and does not react with reducing sugar or aldehyde flavor compounds

◆ No calories, safety metabolism and non-absorbent, which is edible for the diabetes, obese and phenylketonuria patients

Sweetness Characteristic

Neotame is 7000-13000 times sweeter than sucrose, because neotame’s chemical bonds which generate sweetness has amplifying effect, which leads to high degree sweetness. If neotame content is relatively high, the chemical bonds which generate sweetness will be close to each other, and their sweetness enhancing area will be overlapping, therefore affects the overall sweetness level, so high concentration of neotame will result in low sweetness level, conversely, low concentration of neotame will result in high sweetness level. For example, if the sweetness which neotame generates is as that of 2% sucrose solution, the sweetness that neotame generates will be more than 10000 times, if it is as that of 5% sucrose solution, the sweetness will be around 8000 times. According to the sweetness requirement of series of sweet products, neotame could be applied in different products, and generates 7000-13000 times of sucrose’ s sweetness, thus a great many documents describe neotame’s sweetness as a range of 7000-13000, not a certain number instead. Considering high sweetness products, with the mixture use of neotame will result in very ideal sweetness, and its excellent property is able to improve other sweeteners’ characters.

Stability

Neotame is stable in a dry place, and can be stored as long as 5 years in the condition of dry and room temperature, its monohydrate state do not absorb moisture. And thermal stability is better than aspartame, so suitable to use the methods of pasteurization and the instantaneous high temperature to sterilization, but it could be decomposed if it is in the condition of more than 120 degree for long time.

      In the following table, neotame’s stability will change notably as PH and temperature changed in aqueous solution, its stability is similar to aspartame in condition of PH 3.0-5.5.In 0.1mol/L phosphate buffer, when PH stays 4.5, neotame’s half-life is 208 days in condition of 25 degree, while its half-life will be reduced to 45days in condition of 40 degree. When PH is 3, neotame’s half-life is 77 days in condition of 25 degree, while its half life will be reduced to 22 days in condition of 40 degree, and 24 hours in condition of 80 degree. As to products needing neotame, can be applied to HTST sterilization. For example, as 80 degree, heating solution of PH 3 for 30 minutes will still keep 98.6% neotame, which indicates that neotame, which indicates that neotame do not run off actually. As to solution of PH 4.5, its stability is in the best state, as is in the PH range of yogurt, so neotame is very stable in yogurt. Its half-life is 14 days in condition of 25 degree and PH 7, and 3days in condition of 40 degree, 4 hours in condition of 80 degree.

Neotame can be used with a variety of reducing carbonyl compounds. Such as glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, lactose, maltose, etc. They are used together without generatiing Maillard reaction.

      Neotame can be used with a variety of flavors or flavor aldehyde-containing substances, such as vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cinnamic aldehyde, acid, citral, etc. Without the risk of common use of co-Schiff base reaction. Aldehyde compound with aspartame between the unsubstituted amino-group, may produce undesirable co Schiff base reactions, neotame of N-substituted amino such a reaction does not occur.    

Advantage

Application

Neotame represents the culmination of high intense sweetners and identify the new generation of sweeteners, has been applied in more than 1000 kinds of products around nearly 80 countries.

      Neotame is a sweetener of non-nutrition and non-calory, has high intensity sweetness as well as no side effects, its flavor is similar to sucrose, plus, the sweetness cost is much less than sucrose and aspartame, and widely applied in various food production. Its sweetness, flavor enhancing, low-energy,stability,metabolic ways and chemically inert make it the newest sweetener for sure.

      Neotame can enhance some certain ingredients like mint,as well as restrain the bad smell of bean products. Because of its improvement in taste, the solids in fruit juice could be reduced. It can also reduce the amount of vanillin used in pudding and dairy products, as well as the amount of citric acid in dairy products and fruit products. Neotame can enhance tomato’s flavor in barbecue sauce, improve cereal’s quality.

      Neotame can be applied in products including juice, carbonated drinks, solid beverage, dairy products, candy, chewing gum, jelly, baking products, medicine, animal feed, condiment, areca, alcoholic drinks and ice-cream.