Title: Alternative Sweeteners

Neotame 135
about 3% to 10% sucrose, neotame is 30 times sweeter than saccharin, about 60
to 100 times sweeter than acesulfame-K, and 300 to 400 times sweeter than cyclamate
(5). Because of its remarkable sweetness potency, neotame will be used in
food at considerably lower concentrations than other high-intensity sweeteners.
Neotame reaches a maximum sweetness intensity of 15.1% SE in water
and 13.4% SE in a cola drink. In contrast, sweeteners such as acesulfame-K,
cyclamate, and saccharin attain their maximum sweetness intensity (plateau) at,
respectively, 11.6% SE, 11.3% SE, and 9% SE in water. Hence, neotame can
be used as a stand-alone sweetener in a broader range of applications than can
acesulfame-K, cyclamate, and saccharin, which are potentially limited in their
use as sole sweeteners at higher concentrations (5).
2. Sweetness Intensity of Neotame
Neotame is 30 to 60 times sweeter than aspartame, depending on the sweetener
application and desired intensity of sweetness. For example, sensory evaluation of
neotame formulated in cola-flavored carbonated soft drinks indicates a sweetness
intensity ratio 31 times that of aspartame in similar products.
3. Use Levels Associated with Flavoring Ingredients
As is the case with other high-intensity sweeteners, the high-intensity sweetness
for neotame varies, depending on the specific food application and conditions of
preparation. However, given its remarkable sweetness, neotame will be used in
lower concentrations than other high-intensity sweeteners. In fact, consumer exposure
to neotame is much lower than that for flavoring ingredients such as vanillin,
cinnamon, and menthol, which are commonly used in foods and beverages.
B. Sensory Profile of Neotame Versus Sucrose
Neotame exhibits a clean taste profile at a number of use levels relevant to product
applications. Neotame functions effectively as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in
foods and beverages. A trained descriptive panel evaluated a number of different
sweeteners, including neotame and sucrose, at comparable sweetness levels in
water. The taste profile of neotame is similar to that of sucrose, with the predominant
sensory characteristic of neotame being a very clean sweet taste. Other taste
attributes such as metallic flavors, bitterness, sour, and salty are all below threshold
levels. The flavor profile of neotame in water at a concentration of 10 mg/L
compared with an 8% sucrose solution is shown in Fig. 4.
The sweetness temporal profile is a key to the functionality of a sweetener
and is complementary to its taste profile. It demonstrates the changes in the perception
of sweetness over time. Every sweetener exhibits a characteristic onset
time of response and extinction time. Most high-intensity sweeteners display a