AInsights Entry for Acesulfame Potassium (CAS: 55589-62-3)
1. Identity & Chemical Information
- Common Name(s): Acesulfame potassium, Ace-K
- IUPAC Name: Potassium 6-methyl-2,2-dioxo-oxathiazin-4-olate
- CAS Number: 55589-62-3
- FEMA Number: 3775
- Other Identifiers: E950 (European food additive number)
- Molecular Formula: C4H4KNO4S
- Molecular Weight: 201.24 g/mol
- Functional Groups and Structure–Odor Relevance: Acesulfame potassium is a synthetic compound characterized by a sulfonamide group, which contributes to its high sweetness potency. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose and is used primarily as a non-nutritive sweetener.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA
2. Sensory Profile
- Odor and Flavor Descriptors: Acesulfame potassium is odorless and has a clean, sweet taste. It is often described as having a slightly bitter aftertaste at high concentrations.
- Taste and/or Odor Thresholds: The sweetness threshold is significantly lower than sucrose, allowing for its use in low concentrations.
- Typical Sensory Role: It serves as an impact note in sweetening systems, often used to enhance or modify the sweetness profile of food and beverage products.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature
3. Natural Occurrence & Formation
- Known Natural Sources: Acesulfame potassium does not occur naturally and is synthesized chemically.
- Formation Pathways: It is produced through the chemical reaction of acetoacetic acid and fluorosulfonyl isocyanate, followed by neutralization with potassium hydroxide.
- Relevance to “Natural Flavor” or “Natural Fragrance” Designation: As a synthetic compound, it does not qualify for natural flavor or fragrance designations.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; food chemistry literature; EFSA/JECFA monographs
4. Use in Flavors
- Flavor Categories and Applications: Widely used in beverages, dairy products, baked goods, and tabletop sweeteners.
- Functional Role in Flavor Systems: Acts as a primary sweetener or as part of a sweetener blend to achieve desired sweetness levels without adding calories.
- Typical Use Levels: Documented use levels range from 15 to 200 ppm in finished products, depending on the application and desired sweetness intensity.
- Stability Considerations: Acesulfame potassium is stable under heat and across a wide pH range, making it suitable for various food processing conditions.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature
5. Use in Fragrances
- Fragrance Families and Product Types: Not typically used in fragrance formulations due to its primary role as a sweetener.
- Functional Role: N/A
- Typical Qualitative or Quantitative Concentration Ranges: N/A
- Volatility and Top/Middle/Base Contribution: N/A
Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts
6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)
- United States (FDA / FEMA GRAS): Approved as a non-nutritive sweetener; FEMA GRAS status.
- European Union (Reg. (EC) No 1334/2008; FL number status): Approved as a food additive (E950).
- United Kingdom: Follows EU regulations post-Brexit.
- Asia (Japan, China, ASEAN): Approved for use in various food products.
- Latin America (e.g., Brazil, MERCOSUR): Generally recognized as safe for use in food products.
Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications
7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations
- Oral Exposure: Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) set at 15 mg/kg body weight by JECFA and EFSA.
- Dermal Exposure: Not relevant for fragrance use; no significant dermal exposure concerns.
- Inhalation Exposure: Low volatility minimizes inhalation risks; occupational exposure is not a significant concern.
- Risk Profiles: Primarily relevant for food applications; no significant differences in risk profiles between food and fragrance applications.
Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature
8. Practical Insights for Formulators
- Why This Material is Valuable: Provides intense sweetness without calories, enhancing product appeal in low-calorie formulations.
- Typical Synergies: Often used in combination with other sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame to achieve a more sugar-like taste profile.
- Common Formulation Pitfalls: Overuse can lead to a bitter aftertaste; careful balancing with other sweeteners is recommended.
- Situations Where It is Frequently Over- or Under-Used: Overused in attempts to replace sugar entirely; underused in blends where it can effectively reduce caloric content without compromising taste.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice
9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes
- Well-Established Data: Extensive research supports its safety and efficacy as a sweetener.
- Industry-Typical but Undocumented Practices: Blending with other sweeteners for optimal taste profiles.
- Known Data Gaps or Regulatory Ambiguities: None significant; regulatory status is well-documented across major markets.
Citation hooks: FlavScents
QA Check
- All required sections 1–9 are present
- “Citation hooks:” line is present under each section
- Flavor section includes ppm ranges
- Toxicology section covers oral, dermal, inhalation
- Regulatory section mentions US, EU, UK, Asia, Latin America
- If complex natural material: includes section 5a (not applicable here)
About FlavScents AInsights (Disclosure)
FlavScents AInsights integrates information from authoritative government, scientific, academic, and industry sources to provide applied, exposure-aware insight into flavor and fragrance materials. Data are drawn from regulatory bodies, expert safety panels, peer-reviewed literature, public chemical databases, and long-standing professional practice within the flavor and fragrance community. Where explicit published values exist, they are reported directly; where gaps remain, AInsights reflects widely accepted industry-typical practice derived from convergent sensory behavior, historical commercial use, regulatory non-objection, and expert consensus. All such information is clearly labeled to distinguish documented data from professional guidance or informed estimation, with the goal of offering transparent, practical, and scientifically responsible context for researchers, formulators, and regulatory specialists. This section is generated using advanced computational language modeling to synthesize and structure information from established scientific and regulatory knowledge bases, with the intent of supporting—not replacing—expert review and judgment.
Generated 2026-05-25 09:52:22 GMT (p2)