Acesulfame taste, synergistic effect

Acesulfame-K—aspartame blends exhibit a significant synergistic effect (Fig. 4) (65,66). This synergy provides large cost savings for the diet foods industry. The blend also has a more rounded taste. Each sweetener apparendy masks the off-taste associated with the other. Increased blend usage is expected. 

Acesulfame potassium is used with other sweeteners such as aspartame because it has a long shelf life, and tastes sweet right away. It also has a synergistic effect with other sweeteners, so less of each is necessary to achieve the same sweetness. 

Synergistic effects for combinations of sweeteners have been reported, e.g., acesulfame potassium with aspartame or sodium cyclamate. A ternary combination of sweeteners that includes acesulfame potassium and sodium saccharin has a greater decrease in sweetness upon repeated tasting than other combinations. ... 

Acesulfame potassium is heat stable under moderately acidic or basic conditions but unstable at low pH. It is approved for safety everywhere and is often blended with other sweeteners. These blends are reputed to give a more sugar-like taste where each sweetener masks the other s aftertaste, and to exhibit a synergistic effect wherein the blend is sweeter than its components. 

---