Sweetening Agents

Sweet has always been a very important basic taste for mankind. However, the consumption of excessive sugar is known to have adverse effects on human beings, and thus, to reduce its intake, sweetening agents appeared in the 1800's. With the increasing prevalence of diseases related to sugar consumption, sweetening agents are now widespread in foodstuffs, and are highly researched for their impact on sweetening potentials, on health, on the economy and in social studies

What Is Sweetening Agents?

Sweetening agents, also known as sweeteners, is a food additive that provides a sweet taste like that of sugar while containing significantly less food energy than sugar. Some sweetening agents are produced naturally, and some synthetically. The sensation of sweetness caused by these sweetening agents (the "sweetness profile") is sometimes notably different from sucrose, so they are often used in complex mixtures that achieve the most natural sweet sensation.

Figure1. Examples of synthetic and natural sweeteners. (Carocho, M; et al, 2017)

Sweeteners can be classified by their nature or origin, which can be either synthetic or natural. E numbers are codes for substances that are permitted to be used as food additives for use within the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In the United States, six high-intensity sweetening agents have been approved for use: aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), saccharin, and advantame. Food additives must be approved by the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration), and sweetening agents must be proved as safe via submission by a manufacturer of a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) document.

Sweetening Agents Test at Alfa Chemistry

With long-standing experience in food additives test, Alfa Chemistry can offer sweetening agents test service to detect the sweet flavor intensity and other parameters that influence the sweet flavor. Sweet flavor intensity is measured in relation to sucrose, which is the reference sugar. The test services include but not limited:
1.Sweet flavor intensity.
2.Other parameters influence the sweet flavor:

• Sweetening agents structure
• Temperature of perception
• PH at 20 degree centigrade
• The presence of other molecules that can influence receptors on the tongue

At Alfa Chemistry, we can provide test service for most sweetening agents. Based on our analytical methods, our laboratory has state-of-the-art instrumentation and methods to analyze sweetening agents in food products. The sweetening agents and test methods include but not limited:

Table1. The Sweetening agents and test methods at Alfa Chemistry

Alfa Chemistry is a professional biotech company specializing in food additives test. Our experienced scientists and advanced technologies enable us to deliver consistent and high-quality data with cost-efficiency. Based on professional knowledge and experienced staff, Alfa Chemistry can provide test services for most sweetening agents. If you have any questions or specific needs, do not hesitate to contact us.

Reference:
1.Carocho, M ; et al. Sweeteners as food additives in the XXI century: A review of what is known, and what is to come. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2017, 107: 302-317.