每周分子 | Molecule of the Week

Original ACS美国化学会 ACS美国化学会 2022-07-01

每周分子: ‍阿斯巴甜

Molecule of the Week: Aspartame

甜味剂阿斯巴甜是一种二肽酯，以商品名Equal和NutraSweet等出售。它是天冬氨酸与苯丙氨酸甲酯的缩合产物。但是实际的合成方法却比较复杂。

1968年，James M. Schlatter获得了合成阿斯巴甜和其他二肽甜味剂在南非的专利权，并转让给了现在属于辉瑞的G. D. Searle（位于每个芝加哥）。 1970，其等同专利（3,492,131）在美国获得授权。但是直到1981年，FDA才批准将其用于食品。

曾经有传言称阿斯巴甜具有致癌性。但是2006年至2015年进行的研究驳斥了这一指控。FDA和国家癌症研究所支持了这些研究。

阿斯巴甜的甜度是蔗糖的200倍左右。它在水性介质中的溶解度和稳定性在很大程度上取决于pH值。它在pH 4.3时最稳定，非常适用于甜味碳酸饮料。在正常的烹饪和烘烤温度下不稳定。但可以用于“非加热”烹饪。

阿斯巴甜被认为比其他人造甜味剂更好地模仿了蔗糖的品质（例如风味，味道持续时间和低回味）。

阿斯巴甜信息速览

CAS 登记号	22839-47-0
分子式	C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅
摩尔质量	294.31 g/mol
外观	白色晶体粉末或无色针状物
熔点	246–250 ºC
水溶性	10 g/L^a

阿斯巴甜危害信息

GHS 分类*: 非危害物质或混合物

【关于每周分子】

自2001年以来，“每周分子”已成为广受欢迎的栏目。多数分子由读者推荐。每个结构都经由科学家审查，并以3-D和平面图像的形式显示，同时附有该分子简介。可以通过美国化学文摘社（CAS）提供的SciFinder中的CAS REGISTRY获取“每周分子”的更多信息。CAS REGISTRY中的每条物质信息都展示了物质的CAS登记号、索引名、通用名、商品名、书目信息等其他更多信息。发送邮件至motw@acs.org推荐您感兴趣的分子吧。

The sweetener aspartame is a dipeptide ester sold under the tradenames Equal and NutraSweet, among others. It is formally a condensation product of aspartic acid with the methyl ester of phenylalanine; but the actual synthetic methods are more complex.

In 1968, a South African patent for synthesizing aspartame and other dipeptide sweeteners was awarded to James M. Schlatter and assigned to G. D. Searle (Chicago), now part of Pfizer. The equivalent US Patent (3,492,131) was awarded in 1970. But not until 1981 did the US Food and Drug Administration approve it for use in foods.

At one time, rumors held that aspartame is carcinogenic; but studies performed from 2006 through 2015 refuted this allegation. The FDA and National Cancer Institute supported these studies.

Aspartame’s sweetness is ≈200 times greater than that of sucrose. Its solubility and stability in aqueous media depend strongly on pH. It is most stable at pH 4.3, which makes it ideal for sweetening carbonated beverages. It is unstable at normal cooking and baking temperatures; but it can be used in “no-heat” recipes.

Aspartame is considered to mimic the qualities of sucrose (e.g., flavor, taste duration, and low aftertaste) better than other artificial sweeteners.

Aspartame fast facts

CAS Reg. No.	22839-47-0
Empirical formula	C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅
Molar mass	294.31 g/mol
Appearance	White crystalline powder or colorless needles
Melting point	246–250 ºC
Water solubility	10 g/L^a

a. At pH 7.

Aspartame hazard information

GHS classification*: not a hazardous substance or mixture

*Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Explanation of pictograms.

About Molecule of the Week

MOTW has been a popular feature on ACS website since 2001. Many molecules are suggested by our website visitors. Every structure is reviewed by a scientist and displayed in 3-D and flat images with a brief description. Each week's molecule also links to a sample record from the CAS REGISTRY, which is searched using SciFinder. Each record displays the registry number, index name and synonyms, bibliographic information, and more. Send us a molecule suggestion at motw@acs.org.

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