Developments in high potency sweeteners

This review of recent developments in high potency sweeteners begins with a short summary of the sweetener market. While sucrose clearly retains its market dominance, it is not unreasonable to estimate that as much as 20 million tonnes of sucrose might be considered theoretically vulnerable to replacement by potent sweeteners. The market drivers behind sugar replacement practices are discussed in terms of cost, taste and nutritional considerations. Techniques for improving the taste delivered by high potency sweeteners are reviewed. Of the sweeteners that have received recent regulatory approval in some countries, the key technical characteristics of sucralose, alitame and neotame are described. Information on a novel sweetener combination (Twinsweet), which is the aspartame salt of acesulfame and which may have specific market use opportunities, is provided. It is concluded that the dynamism shown in sweetener markets over the last thirty years or so will continue.