Sweetener synergy

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. 

Saccharin imparts a sweetness that is pleasant at the onset but is followed by a lingering, bitter aftertaste. Sensitivity to this bitterness varies from person to person. At high concentration, however, most people can detect the rather unpleasant aftertaste. Saccharin is synergistic with other sweeteners of different chemical classes. For example, saccharin—cyclamate, saccharin—aspartame, saccharin—sucralose, and saccharin—aUtame combinations all exert synergy to various degrees. The blends, as a rule, exhibit less aftertaste than each of the component sweeteners by themselves. 

The disaccharide stmcture of (12) (trade name SPLENDA) is emphasized by the manufacturer as responsible for a taste quaUty and time—intensity profile closer to that of sucrose than any other high potency sweetener. The sweetness potency at the 10% sucrose solution sweetness equivalence is between 450 and 500X, or about two and one-half times that of aspartame. When compared to a 2% sugar solution, the potency of sucralose can be as high as 750X. A moderate degree of synergy between sucralose and other nonnutritive (91) or nutritive (92) sweeteners has been reported. 

Product (a) is a 50 50 blend of aspartame acesulfame K to take maximum advantage of the synergy between the two sweeteners. The total sweetener level is 280 ppm. 

In summary, to maximize the stability of aspartame/acesulfame K blends in soft drinks, formulate on the right-hand side of the synergy curve. This is also an example of how the analysis of sweetener levels in a soft drink may not always give an accurate reflection of the perceived sweetness/acceptability of a drink. 

Dairy products Sugar and fat replacement synergy with sweeteners body 2-10 2-10... 

Fruit preparations Sugar replacement synergy with sweeteners body and 2-10 5-50... 

Where intense sweeteners are used, claims are made of synergy between sweeteners, i.e. a blend of sweeteners provides more sweetness than the sum of the amount provided by each singly. There is evidence of this effect in soft drinks although in confectionery evidence is less apparent. Synergy is not just a crude numerical effect. There can be synergy between a rapid onset sweetness as in aspartame combining with another sweetener with a slow onset sweetness. 

HT Lawless. Theoretical note Tests of synergy in sweetener mixtures. Chem... 

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