Question

99. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the market. It consists of amino acids and provides calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a low-calorie sweetening agent in food items. What is the basis of this use? [2011 - I]

• A. a) Aspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike table sugar, it is not readily oxidized in human body due to lack of requisite enzymes
• B. b) When aspartame is used in food processing, the sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to oxidation
• C. c) Aspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion into the body, it is converted into metabolites that yield no calories
• D. d) Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation

Answer 1

The correct option is D d) Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation

Ans: d

Aspartame is metabolized by the body into two constituent amino acids and methanol. These hydrolysis products are handled by the body in the same way as aspartic acid, L-Phenylanine and methanol from other consumed foods. These components yield NO calory and add nothing new to the diet.