A crystalline compound C14H18N2O5 that is a diamide synthesized from phenylalanine and aspartic acid and that is used as a low-calorie sweetener.
An artificial sweetener made from aspartic acid; used as a calorie-free sweetener.
Noncarbohydrate sweetener used in foods under the trade-name Nutrasweet. It is about 200 times as sweet as sugar and, unlike saccharine, has no aftertaste.
The aspartame molecule consists of two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine) linked by a methylene (–CH2–) group. It breaks down slowly at room temperature and rapidly at higher temperatures. It is not suitable for people who suffer from phenylketonuria.