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Aspartame is the most common artificial sweetener and a famous sweet‐taste receptor agonist. Macrophages are essential in the antibacterial system to maintain the stability of the intestinal environment. Recently, the sweet taste receptor has been found in macrophages. However, the effects of aspartame on macrophage phagocytosis in the gastrointestinal tract are little known. The current study sought to assess the influence of aspartame intake on the scavenging activity of mice to low‐dose Escherichia coli infection and related mechanisms. Firstly, no inflammatory response or pathological injury was observed in the intestines of mice after oral administration of aspartame (25–100 mg/kg, i.g.) for 2 weeks. Subsequently, aspartame intake was found to enhance the scavenging activity of mice to low‐dose E. coli infection. Similarly, aspartame dose‐dependent strengthened the ability of RAW264.7 cells to phagocytose GFP‐E.coli J96. Further mechanism evaluation reflected that aspartame could enhance macrophage phagocytosis, migration, and rearrangement via PLCβ‐2/Ca2+/PKCβ/Rho A/ROCK1 pathway caused by sweet taste receptor activation. In conclusion, the present study, for the first time, demonstrated that aspartame could enhance the scavenging activity of mice to low‐dose E. coli infection via strengthening macrophage phagocytic function through activating sweet taste receptor. It is then suggested that aspartame may affect the antibacterial activity of human gastrointestinal macrophages, and further studies need to validate these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in drinks and many foods. International Agency for Research on Cancer classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 2B). In this study, a sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method was developed to detect aspartame. The method is based on switching on the fluorescence activity of aspartame upon its condensation with O‐phthalaldehyde (Roth's reaction) in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol. The reaction product was detected fluorometrically at λem of 438 nm after λex of 340 nm. All reaction conditions required to yield the optimal fluorescence intensity were observed and investigated. Furthermore, the approach was validated according to ICH guidelines. Upon plotting the concentrations of aspartame against their associated fluorescence intensity values, the relationship between the two variables was linear within the range of 0.5–3.0 μg/mL. Furthermore, the method was employed to analyze the quantity of aspartame in commercial packages and soft drinks with an acceptable level of recovery. In addition, the Green Solvents Selecting Tool, Complementary Green Analytical Procedure Index, and the Analytical Greenness Metric tool were used to evaluate the sustainability and the greenness of the developed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of artificial sweeteners (AS) such as aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin and sucralose is widespread. We evaluated the association of use of aspartame and other AS with cancer. In total 1881 colorectal, 1510 breast, 972 prostate and 351 stomach cancer and 109 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cases and 3629 population controls from the Spanish Multicase‐Control (MCC‐Spain) study were recruited (2008‐2013). The consumption of AS, from table‐top sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages, was assessed through a self‐administered and validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Sex‐specific quartiles among controls were determined to compare moderate consumers (

An increased understanding of how the acceptor site in Gcn5‐related N‐acetyltransferase (GNAT) enzymes recognizes various substrates provides important clues for GNAT functional annotation and their use as chemical tools. In this study, we explored how the PA3944 enzyme from Pseudomonas aeruginosa recognizes three different acceptor substrates, including aspartame, NANMO, and polymyxin B, and identified acceptor residues that are critical for substrate specificity. To achieve this, we performed a series of molecular docking simulations and tested methods to identify acceptor substrate binding modes that are catalytically relevant. We found that traditional selection of best docking poses by lowest S scores did not reveal acceptor substrate binding modes that were generally close enough to the donor for productive acetylation. Instead, sorting poses based on distance between the acceptor amine nitrogen atom and donor carbonyl carbon atom placed these acceptor substrates near residues that contribute to substrate specificity and catalysis. To assess whether these residues are indeed contributors to substrate specificity, we mutated seven amino acid residues to alanine and determined their kinetic parameters. We identified several residues that improved the apparent affinity and catalytic efficiency of PA3944, especially for NANMO and/or polymyxin B. Additionally, one mutant (R106A) exhibited substrate inhibition toward NANMO, and we propose scenarios for the cause of this inhibition based on additional substrate docking studies with R106A. Ultimately, we propose that this residue is a key gatekeeper between the acceptor and donor sites by restricting and orienting the acceptor substrate within the acceptor site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspartame (ASP) is probably the best known artificial sugar substitute that is used widely in food. Many experimental studies have reported the toxicity of long‐term administration of ASP in various organ tissues. However, there is little evidence available about the nature and mechanisms of the adverse effects of long‐term consumption of ASP on the cardiovascular system. This study was conducted to evaluate the possible effects of ASP on heart tissue. For this study 36 mature male mice were divided into one control group and three groups which received respectively 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg ASP orally, for 90 days. ASP at the doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg increased the serum content of malondialdehyde (MDA), but decreased serum nitric oxide (NO), creatine kinase (CK) and CK‐MB, as well as blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Serum level of total anti‐oxidant capacity (TAC) in blood was also reduced in serum at the dose of 80 mg/kg. Histochemical staining, including Periodic acid‐Schiff, Masson's trichrome and Verhoeff‐van Gieson staining, indicated that ASP at doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg reduced glycogen deposition and decreased the number of collagen and elastic fibres in the cardiac tissue. The cardiac expression of pro‐apoptotic genes, including P53, Bax, Bcl‐2 and Caspase‐3, was modulated at the dose of 160 mg/kg. Moreover, transcription of Caspase‐3 was up‐regulated at the dose of 80 mg/kg. In conclusion, long‐term consumption of ASP any higher than the acceptable daily intake (40 mg/kg) appears to act by promoting oxidative stress, has the potential to alter both histopathological and biochemical parameters, and induces P53‐dependent apoptosis in cardiac tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific evidence is mounting that synthetic chemicals used as food additives may have harmful impacts on health. Food additives are chemicals that are added to food to keep it from spoiling, as well as to improve its colour and taste. Some are linked to negative health impacts, while others are healthy and can be ingested with little danger. According to several studies, health issues such as asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), heart difficulties, cancer, obesity, and others are caused by harmful additives and preservatives. Some food additives may interfere with hormones and influences growth and development. It is one of the reasons why so many children are overweight. Children are more likely than adults to be exposed to these types of dietary intakes. Several food additives are used by women during pregnancy and breast feeding that are not fully safe. We must take specific precaution to avoid consuming dangerous compounds before they begin to wreak havoc on our health. This study is intended to understand how the preservatives induce different health problem in the body once it is consumed. This review focuses on some specific food additives such as sodium benzoate, aspartame, tartrazine, carrageenan, and potassium benzoate, as well as vitamin A. Long-term use of food treated with the above-mentioned food preservatives resulted in teratogenicity and other allergens, according to the study. Other health issues can be avoided in the future by using natural food additives derived from plants and other natural sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease that erupts periodically. Although the negative impact of the disorder on overall quality of life has been well established, new treatments for AD are still needed. Various studies have reported on cannabidiol's effectiveness in relieving pain and easing inflammation while not presenting major health risks. Aims: In this communication, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel cannabidiol (CBD) and aspartame formulation, JW‐100, in relieving signs and symptoms of AD. Patients/Methods: We conducted a double‐blinded placebo‐controlled interventional study randomizing patients to one of three treatment groups: JW‐100 (CBD plus aspartame), CBD only, or placebo topical formulations. The Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) score was used to document any changes in AD resulting from the applied interventions at 14 days. Results: Fifty‐seven patients completed the trial and were included in the final analysis. The ISGA score of the patients at baseline was 2.56, 2.24, and 2.24, for the JW‐100, CBD, and placebo groups, respectively. After two weeks of treatment, the ISGA score reduced by 1.28, 0.81, and 0.71, for the JW‐100, CBD, and placebo groups, respectively. The JW‐100 cohorts demonstrated statistically significant ISGA score reduction (p = 0.042). 50% of patients in the JW‐100 group achieved ISGA score of clear or almost clear (0 or 1) with at least a 2‐grade improvement from baseline after treatment (p = 0.028). Only 20% and 15% of patients in the CBD only and placebo groups reported ISGA score of clear or almost clear (0 or 1). Conclusions: JW‐100, a novel topical formulation containing CBD and aspartame, was demonstrated to produce statistically significant improvements in AD following 14 days of topical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postbariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH) is an increasingly recognized complication of bariatric surgery, but its effect on daily functioning remains unclear. In this randomized, single‐blind, crossover trial we assessed driving performance in patients with PBH. Ten active drivers with PBH (eight females, age 38.2 ± 14.7 years, body mass index 27.2 ± 4.6 kg/m2) received 75 g glucose to induce PBH in the late postprandial period and aspartame to leave glycaemia unchanged, on two different occasions. A simulator was driven during 10 minutes before (D0) and 20 (D1), 80 (D2), 125 (D3) and 140 minutes (D4) after the glucose/aspartame ingestion, reflecting the expected blood glucose (BG) increase (D1), decrease (D2) and hypoglycaemia (D3, D4). Seven driving features indicating impaired driving were integrated in a Bayesian hierarchical regression model to assess the difference in driving performance after glucose/aspartame ingestion. Mean ± standard deviation peak and nadir BG after glucose were 182 ± 24 and 47 ± 14 mg/dL, while BG was stable after aspartame (85 ± 4 mg/dL). Despite the lack of a difference in symptom perception, driving performance was significantly impaired after glucose versus aspartame during D4 (posterior probability 98.2%). Our findings suggest that PBH negatively affects driving performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs) are sugar substitutes widely used to reduce the negative health effects of excessive sugar consumption. Dental caries, one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally, results from a pathogenic biofilm with microecological imbalance and frequent exposure to sugars. Some research has shown that certain NNSs possess less cariogenic potential than sucrose, indicating their putative effect on oral microbiome. To uncover the alterations of acidogenic pathogens and alkali-generating commensals, as well as the biofilm cariogenic potential under the influence of NNSs, we selected four common NNSs (acesulfame-K, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose) and established single-, dual-, and multispecies in vitro culture model to assess their effects on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and/or Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis) compared to sucrose with the same sweetness. The results showed that NNSs significantly suppressed the planktonic growth, acid production, and biofilm formation of S. mutans or S. sanguinis compared with sucrose in single-species cultures. Additionally, decreased S. mutans/S. sanguinis ratio, less EPS generation, and higher pH value were observed in dual-species and saliva-derived multispecies biofilms with supplementary NNSs. Collectively, this study demonstrates that NNSs inhibit the cariogenic potential of biofilms by maintaining microbial equilibrium, thus having a promising prospect as anticaries agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspartame is one of the most common consumed artificial sweeteners utilized in many food products and beverages. It has been indicated that long‐term consumption of aspartame leads to reproductive toxicity but its mechanism is not well‐clear. In this study we investigated mechanism of aspartame‐induced reproductive toxicity in male mice. For this purpose, 36 NMRI mature male mice received three doses of 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg body weight of aspartame, respectively per day by gavage for 90 days and also a control group was considered which received 0.5 mL of normal saline as the same route. The results revealed that long‐term administration of aspartame at high doses significantly (P <.05) reduced gonadosomatic index, serum concentration of pituitary‐testicular axis hormones (FSH, LH, and testosterone). It also decreased sperm parameters and total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), while it caused increase in nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in testis tissue and sperm samples. Also, it decreased attenuated testicular histomorphometric indices (tubular differentiation index, spermiogenesis index, and repopulation index), and steroidogenic foci, while increased mRNA damages and apoptosis rate, downregulated antiapoptotic (Bcl‐2) and upregulated proapoptotic (P53, BAX, and caspase‐3) mediators respectively in testis. These findings indicated that consumption of aspartame for a long period results in male reproductive toxicity by decrease in serum concentration of pituitary‐testis axis hormones and induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis in testis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caffeine and aspartame (ASP) are mostly used as a diet regimen to reduce overweight. The risk increase if used during critical life periods that may affect the development of fetal organs. Objective: To evaluate the individual and combined effects of maternal exposure to caffeine and ASP during gestation and lactation on the kidneys' development of rats' offspring. Methods: Pregnant rats were divided randomly into four groups; Group I (control group). Group II (ASP group): ASP was given at a dose of 40 mg of /kg/day. Group III (Caffeine group): caffeine was given at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. Group IV (ASP & caffeine group); where previous doses of ASP and caffeine were given at the same time. All the treatments were given by oral gavage from the first day of pregnancy until postnatal day 30. Kidneys of rats' offspring were dissected and tested for detection of oxidative stress markers and for histopathological & immunohistochemical examination. Results: This study showed a high significant increase in oxidative load (malondialdehyde) in renal tissues in group IV associated with decreased activities of total glutathione and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). Histological and morphometric examination results showed delayed maturation of renal tissues in Group II and III, but more deleterious effects were observed in group IV with a lot of pathological changes in renal tissues. Conclusion: The extensive use of caffeine and ASP should be controlled to avoid the risk of their toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first electroanalytical method for the simultaneous determination of the colorant sunset yellow (SY) and the sweetener aspartame (AS) in commercial food samples is proposed using flow injection analysis coupled to multiple‐pulse amperometry (FIA‐MPA) and an anodically pretreated boron‐doped diamond electrode (APT‐BDDE). Dual‐potential waveforms are applied as a function of time: Edet.1=1.30 V/150 s for the oxidation only of SY, and Edet.2=1.70 V/200 s for the oxidation of both analytes. Linear analytical curves were obtained in the concentration range of 0.15–25.0 μmol L−1 for SY and 0.25–25.0 μmol L−1 for AS, with a calculated limit of detection of 0.04 μmol L−1 for both analytes. The proposed method presented good precision and enabled the simultaneous determination of SY and AS in samples of jelly and juice powders with a good accuracy (at a 95 % confidential level) when compared to an HPLC method. The proposed FIA‐MPA method is simple and fast, with an analytical frequency of 120 determinations per hour, being an attractive option for routine simultaneous determinations of SY and AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used to simply and sensitively detect the artificial sweetener aspartame added to purified water. In this paper, a cavity formed spontaneously by silver ion droplets, and liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used as an SERS substrate to integrate plasma nanoparticles into optical devices. Firstly, Raman spectral characteristics of aspartame powder and aspartame aqueous solution were analyzed. Secondly, the effect of aspartame content in purified water on SERS intensity was investigated by using the prepared PDMS plasma cavity to test the samples. Thirdly, the SERS calibration curve was established by using the characteristic peak intensity of aspartame, and a good linearity relationship between the concentration of aspartame added in purified water and the characteristic peak intensity of 1588(±5) cm-1 was obtained. The linear regression equation and correlation coefficient (r) were y = 11412.73874 x + 107.36722 and 0.99593, respectively. The average recovery of aspartame in purified water was 101–106%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.121–0.496%. The experimental results show that using this method can detect aspartame in purified water correctly, which is expected to be used in the identification and detection of sweeteners in purified water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical properties of organic solids are altered when hydrated (and, more generally, when solvated) and this is of particular significance for pharmaceuticals in application; for instance, the solubility of a hydrate is less than that of its parent. The effective volumes of waters of crystallization for non‐ionic pharmaceuticals (where the 'effective' volume is the difference per water molecule between the hydrate volume and the volume of the anhydrous parent) are here examined. This investigation contrasts with our earlier study of effective volumes of waters of crystallization for ionic materials where the coulombic forces are paramount. Volumetric properties are significant since they correlate strongly with many thermodynamic properties. Twenty‐nine hydrate/parent systems have been identified, and their volumetric properties are reported and analysed (apart from aspartame and ephedrine for which the structural data are inconsistent). Among these systems, the data for paracetamol are extensive and it is possible to differentiate among the volumetric properties of its three polymorphs and to quantify the effect of temperature on their volumes. The effective volumes in both ionic and non‐ionic systems are similar, with a median effective volume of 22.8 Å3 for the non‐ionic systems compared with 24.2 Å3 for the ionic systems, and both are smaller than the molecular volume of 30 Å3 of ambient liquid water – which appears to be an upper limit to the effective volumes of waters of crystallization under ambient conditions. These results will be supportive in checking and confirmation of hydrated crystal structures and in assessing their thermodynamic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that aspartame supplementation in starter diet accelerates small intestinal cell cycle by stimulating secretion and expression of glucagon‐like peptide −2 (GLP‐2) in pre‐weaned lambs using animal and cell culture experiments. In vivo, twelve 14‐day‐old lambs were selected and allocated randomly to two groups; one was treated with plain starter diet (Con, n = 6) and the other was treated with starter supplemented with 200 mg of aspartame/kg starter (APM, n = 6). Results showed that the lambs received APM treatment for 35 d had higher (p < .05) GLP‐2 concentration in the plasma and greater jejunum weight/live body weight (BW) and jejunal crypt depth. Furthermore, APM treatment significantly upregulated (p < .05) the mRNA expression of cyclin D1 in duodenum; and cyclin A2, cyclin D1, cyclin‐dependent kinases 6 (CDK6) in jejunum; and cyclin A2, cyclin D1, CDK4 in ileum. Moreover, APM treatment increased (p < .05) the mRNA expression of glucagon (GCG), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) in the jejunum and ileum and mRNA expression of GLP‐2 receptor (GLP‐2R) in the jejunum. In vitro, when jejunal cells were treated with GLP‐2 for 2 hr, the 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) OD, IGF‐1 concentration, and the mRNA expression of IGF‐1, cyclin D1 and CDK6 were increased (p < .05). Furthermore, IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) inhibitor decreased (p < .05) the mRNA expression of IGF‐1, cyclin A2, cyclin D1 and CDK6 in GLP‐2 treatment jejunal cells. These results suggest that aspartame supplementation in starter accelerates small intestinal cell cycle that may, in part, be related to stimulate secretion and expression of GLP‐2 in pre‐weaning lambs. Furthermore, GLP‐2 can indirectly promote the proliferation of jejunal cells mainly through the IGF‐1 pathway. These findings provide new insights into nutritional interventions that promote the development of small intestines in young ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the interaction between obesity, low-calorie sweeteners, and prebiotic oligofructose on reproductive parameters in rats.Methods: Data were derived from two separate studies of female Sprague-Dawley rats with (1) Lean (n = 24), (2) Obese (n = 27), (3) Obese+Aspartame (n = 14), (4) Obese+Stevia (n = 15), and (5) Obese+Prebiotic (n = 15) groups. Obesity was induced with a high-fat/high-sucrose diet prior to pregnancy. In one study, human-approved doses of aspartame (5-7 mg/kg/d) and stevia (2-3 mg/kg/d) in drinking water were examined, and in the second, 10% prebiotics (oligofructose) in the diet was examined. Reproductive parameters, including fertility, pregnancy, and delivery indexes, were analyzed.Results: Obesity significantly reduced pregnancy index in Obese dams (60.7% successful pregnancies) compared with lean (100%). Obesity also reduced the number of pups born alive and pup survival percentage compared with those of Lean dams (P < 0.001). Only 53.3% of rats were able to conceive in the Obese+Stevia group, but if rats did become pregnant, they had 100% pregnancy and delivery index. While prebiotic administration rescued the pregnancy index, it could not remediate pup survival percentage (P = 0.025) in Obese dams.Conclusions: Both obesity status and dietary ingredients affect the ability to conceive. Future rigorously controlled studies designed to examine reproductive outcomes in depth are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Calories from any food have the potential to increase risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease because all calories can directly contribute to positive energy balance and fat gain. However, various dietary components or patterns may promote obesity and cardiometabolic disease by additional mechanisms that are not mediated solely by caloric content. Researchers explored this topic at the 2017 CrossFit Foundation Academic Conference ‘Diet and Cardiometabolic Health – Beyond Calories’, and this paper summarizes the presentations and follow‐up discussions. Regarding the health effects of dietary fat, sugar and non‐nutritive sweeteners, it is concluded that food‐specific saturated fatty acids and sugar‐sweetened beverages promote cardiometabolic diseases by mechanisms that are additional to their contribution of calories to positive energy balance and that aspartame does not promote weight gain. The challenges involved in conducting and interpreting clinical nutritional research, which preclude more extensive conclusions, are detailed. Emerging research is presented exploring the possibility that responses to certain dietary components/patterns are influenced by the metabolic status, developmental period or genotype of the individual; by the responsiveness of brain regions associated with reward to food cues; or by the microbiome. More research regarding these potential ‘beyond calories’ mechanisms may lead to new strategies for attenuating the obesity crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparative stability of aspartame and neotame was monitored in yoghurt during its processing, fermentation and storage. A solid‐phase extraction method was suggest changing it to developed for the isolation of aspartame and neotame. Pasteurisation (85 °C/30 min) resulted in approximately 47% and 3% loss of aspartame and neotame, respectively. During fermentation, 3% loss of aspartame was observed, but no loss of neotame. There was no significant effects on the stability of either aspartame or neotame during storage (4–7 °C/15 days). The results indicated that neotame was more stable than aspartame under both pasteurisation and fermentation conditions; however, during storage, both sweeteners exhibited excellent stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspartame is widely used artificial sweeteners as food additives. Several researchers have pointed that the controversial report on the use of aspartame over more than decades. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential and unsaturated fatty acids, and it plays a remarkable role in vision, intelligence, neural development, and metabolism of neurotransmitters. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on aspartame treated renal cells. Experimental groups were divided into three such as sham control, aspartame treated, and aspartame with omega-3 fatty acids. Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine-b assay and flow cytometric analysis. The experimental results showed that the aspartame induced altered cell viability were reduced following treatment of aspartame with omega-3 fatty acids. Altered cell morphology was recovered by omega-3 fatty acids. DNA damage appeared in the highest concentration of aspartame used in this study. DNA damage characteristics such as comet tail and tiny head sections did not appear in the omega-3 fatty acids treated cells. Several microvilli and vesicular structures were found in aspartame treated cells. Altered morphology such as rounding, microvilli, and formation of dome-like structures did not appear in the omega-3 fatty acids with aspartame treated cells. Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression were increased in aspartame treated cells, and these levels were reduced following omega-3 fatty acids treatment. Taking all these data together, it is suggested that the omega-3 fatty acids may be a therapeutic agent to reduce the aspartame induced biochemical and morphological alterations in normal renal cells. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(6):847-857, 2017 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The migratory and proliferative capabilities of the epithelial cell on the surface of gastro-intestinal (GI) tract are important for wound healing. As aspartame is one of the most common artificial sweeteners in use in a variety of food products, knowledge regarding its effect on the wound healing behaviors of epithelial cells in the GI tract is of interest. The present study has revealed for the first time that aspartame at non-toxic concentrations significantly inhibited intestinal epithelial cell migration determined by both wound healing and Boyden chamber cell migration assays, while it had no effect on the proliferation of the cells. Furthermore, the number of lamellipodia per cell significantly reduced in aspartame-treated cells. In terms of molecular mechanisms, the study found that aspartame suppressed the cellular levels of the migration regulatory proteins namely, integrins, activated FAK, activated Akt, Cav-1, RhoA-GTP, and Rac1-GTP. Altogether, the study reports that aspartame may affect intestinal wound healing capability through suppression of cell migration. Practical applications Aspartame is an artificial sweetener widely used in various food products. Although many studies regarding the toxicity of aspartame have been conducted, the effects of aspartame on intestinal epithelial cell migration and proliferation have not been much investigated. The results of the present study indicate that aspartame has a significant inhibitory effect on intestinal epithelial cell migration with well-defined underlying mechanisms. The present study provides additional molecular mechanistic information of this substance on epithelial cells and may serve to trigger further investigations that could lead to cautionary recommendations in the use of aspartame in those suffering GI ulcers or other high-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural sweet proteins may be used as sugar replacer in simple liquid food systems but their applicability in more complex matrices has not been investigated yet. Gelling agent nature and texture characteristics as well as type and distribution of a stimulus in a gel could affect taste perception through inhibition or enhancement of tastants migration to the receptors. The mechanical, nonoral texture and time-intensity sweetness characteristics of sweet proteins MNEI and super sweet Y65R mutant, aspartame and saccharin added at a concentration iso-sweet to 40 g/L of sucrose in three agar gel concentrations (1%, 1.5%, and 2%) were evaluated. The results have shown that agar concentration and agar sweetener interaction particularly affect mechanical fracture stress and non oral hardness of the sweetened gels. Time intensity results illustrated that unlike in solution, the intensity of sweet taste in a gelled system over time decreases. Indeed, the behavior of the sweet proteins differed greatly in the gelled system compared to when they are in solution. Practical applications MNEI has been proved to be a high-potency sweetener for beverages, but the possibility to use it in semisolid foodstuff was not investigated yet. This study represented a preliminary characterization of two variants of natural sweetener monellin, MNEI and Y65R in semisolid model foodstuff. The data were an important scientific contribution to the knowledge of sweet proteins in agar-based gels and could be useful in order to extend the possible application of these sweet proteins as low calorie sweeteners in semisolid foodstuffs. Some problems concerning their delivered sweetness in agar gels were underlined and their application should be optimized in order to improve sweetness conveyed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Breath alcohol responses may be affected by the presence of carbohydrate ( CHO) in a beverage. This study investigated the impact of consuming alcohol with mixers containing various doses of CHO or an artificial sweetener on breath alcohol concentration (Br AC), ratings of intoxication and impairment, and cognitive performance in females. Methods Twenty-six females (age 25.1 ± 0.7 years, mean ± standard deviation) completed a crossover study involving 4 trials. A dose of alcohol was consumed in each trial mixed with water (W), artificial sweetener (150 ± 1 mg aspartame [ AS]), or CHO (15 g sucrose [15 CHO] and 50 g sucrose [50 CHO]). Br AC was sampled for 210 minutes following beverage ingestion and analyzed for peak Br AC and other parameters using WinNonlin noncompartmental pharmacokinetic modeling ( cmax, tmax, area under the curve to the last measured time point [ AUClast]). An objective measure of cognitive performance was assessed using a 4-choice reaction time ( CRT) task. Estimation of Br AC, self-reported ratings of intoxication, and willingness to drive were recorded. Results Mean peak Br AC was reduced in a dose-response manner when alcohol was consumed with CHO compared to both W and AS treatments (W: 0.054 ± 0.015%, AS: 0.052 ± 0.011%, 15 CHO: 0.049 ± 0.008%, 50 CHO: 0.038 ± 0.007%). No difference in peak Br AC was observed between W and AS treatments. WinNonlin parameters revealed significant differences in cmax and AUClast (W: 4.80 ± 1.12 g/dl/h, AS: 4.61 ± 0.92 g/dl/h, 15 CHO: 4.10 ± 0.86 g/dl/h, 50 CHO: 3.11 ± 0.58 g/dL/h) when CHO-containing beverages were consumed compared to W and AS treatments. No difference in tmax or CRT was observed between treatments. Participants were able to detect subtle differences in peak Br AC and reported greater ability to drive after consuming 50 CHO compared to W. However, participant's willingness to drive and CRT did not differ between treatments. Conclusions Consuming alcohol with CHO-containing mixers attenuates peak Br AC and reduces total alcohol exposure in a dose-response manner compared to drinks containing artificial sweetener or no additives. The effect of adding CHO to alcoholic beverages may translate to reduced risk of alcohol-related harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The role of diet in the management of the headache patient is a controversial topic in the headache field. Objectives To review the evidence supporting the hypothesis that specific foods or ingredients within foods and beverages trigger attacks of headache and/or migraine and to discuss the use of elimination diets in the prevention of headache disorders Methods This represents part 1 of a narrative review of the role of diet in the prevention of migraine and other headache disorders. A PubMed search was performed with the following search terms: 'monosodium glutamate,' 'caffeine,' 'aspartame,' 'sucralose,' 'histamine intolerance syndrome,' 'tyramine,' 'alcohol,' 'chocolate,' 'nitrites,' 'IgG elimination diets,' and 'gluten.' Each of these search terms was then cross-referenced with 'headache' and 'migraine' to identify relevant studies. Only studies that were written in English were included in this review. Results Caffeine withdrawal and administration of MSG (dissolved in liquid) has the strongest evidence for triggering attacks of headache as evidenced by multiple positive provocation studies. Aspartame has conflicting evidence with two positive and two negative provocation studies. Observational studies provide modest evidence that gluten- and histamine-containing foods as well as alcohol may precipitate headaches in subgroups of patients. Two of three randomized controlled trials reported that an elimination diet of IgG positive foods significantly decreased frequency of headache/migraine during the treatment as compared to baseline time period. Conclusions Certain foods, beverages, and ingredients within foods may trigger attacks of headache and/or migraine in susceptible individuals. Elimination diets can prevent headaches in subgroups of persons with headache disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT L-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, better known as aspartame, is not only one of the most used artificial sweeteners, but also a very interesting molecule with respect to the correlation between molecular structure and taste. The extreme conformational flexibility of this dipeptide posed a huge difficulty when researchers tried to use it as a lead compound to design new sweeteners. In particular, it was difficult to take advantage of its molecular model as a mold to infer the shape of the, then unknown, active site of the sweet taste receptor. Here, we follow the story of the 3D structural aspects of aspartame from early conformational studies to recent docking into homology models of the receptor. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 376-384, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive risk assessment is required before the approval of food additives. During this process, based on the toxicological principle of 'the dose makes the poison,ˮ maximum usage doses are assessed. However, most consumers are not aware of these efforts to ensure the safety of food additives and are therefore sceptical, even though food additives bring certain benefits to consumers. This study investigated the effect of a short video, which explains the scientific risk assessment and regulation of food additives, on consumers' perceptions and acceptance of food additives. The primary goal of this study was to inform consumers and enable them to construct their own risk-benefit assessment and make informed decisions about food additives. The secondary goal was to investigate whether people have different perceptions of food additives of artificial (i.e., aspartame) or natural origin (i.e., steviolglycoside). To attain these research goals, an online experiment was conducted on 185 Swiss consumers. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which was shown a video about the scientific risk assessment of food additives, or the control group, which was shown a video about a topic irrelevant to the study. After watching the video, the respondents knew significantly more, expressed more positive thoughts and feelings, had less risk perception, and more acceptance than prior to watching the video. Thus, it appears that informing consumers about complex food safety topics, such as the scientific risk assessment of food additives, is possible, and using a carefully developed information video is a successful strategy for informing consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural adaption in living systems is achieved by competing catalytic pathways that drive assembly and disassembly of molecular components under the influence of chemical fuels. We report on a simple mimic of such a system that displays transient, sequence-dependent formation of supramolecular nanostructures based on biocatalytic formation and hydrolysis of self-assembling tripeptides. The systems are catalyzed by a-chymotrypsin and driven by hydrolysis of dipeptide aspartyl-phenylalanine-methyl ester (the sweetener aspartame, DF-OMe). We observed switch-like pathway selection, with the kinetics and consequent lifetime of transient nanostructures controlled by the peptide sequence. In direct competition, kinetic (rather than thermodynamic) component selection is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of different sweeteners on the sensory profile, acceptance, and drivers of preference of passion fruit juice samples sweetened with sucrose, aspartame, sucralose, stevia, cyclamate/saccharin blend 2:1, and neotame. Sensory profiling was performed by 12 trained assessors using quantitative descriptive analysis ( QDA). Acceptance tests (appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall impression) were performed with 124 consumers of tropical fruit juice. Samples with sucrose, aspartame and sucralose showed similar sensory profile ( P < 0.05), without bitter taste, bitter aftertaste, and metallic taste, and samples with sucrose and sucralose did not differ from each other for the attribute sweet aftertaste. Passion fruit flavor affected positively and sweet aftertaste affected negatively the acceptance of the samples. Samples sweetened with aspartame, sucralose, and sucrose presented higher acceptance scores for the attributes flavor, texture, and overall impression, with no significant ( P < 0.05) differences between them. Aspartame and sucralose can be good substitutes for sucrose in passion fruit juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To control the influence of supercooling on the preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cryogel, various biocompatible ice nucleating agents, including, two fatty alcohols, and eight different amino acids are investigated for their ice nucleating efficiency in PVA aqueous solutions. The L-aspartic acid is found to be the most efficient ice nucleating agent with the ability to induce freezing at ∼−5.5 °C in 8.3 wt% aqueous PVA solution as compared to ∼−20 °C without L-aspartic acid. The PVA cryogels are prepared with L-aspartic acid as the heterogeneous ice nucleating agent and investigated for their rheological properties. Finally, it is found that freezing temperature close to the sol-gel transition temperature produces cryogel with the high tack important for various biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop and assess the physicochemical stability of umbu-caja diet jams during storage under ambient conditions. Five jam formulations were prepared, with varying concentrations of aspartame (0.055, 0.065 and 0.075%) and low methoxyl pectin (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%). In addition to umbu-caja pulp, edulcorant and pectin, calcium chloride and potassium sorbate were used. The formulations were concentrated in an open saucepan until reaching total soluble solids ( TSS) of 12.5°Brix, transferred to glass containers and stored at mean temperature and relative humidity of 23.25 C and 81%, respectively, with physicochemical analyses at day 0 and every 30 days of storage up to 180 days. It was found that storage did not cause significant alterations in the relative humidity, total solids, water activity, TSS and extrusion. Data related to total soluble solids/total titratable acidity ( TSS/TTA), pH and hardness increased significantly, whereas TTA and color parameters were reduced. Moreover, the jams were considerably darkened at the end of storage. Practical Applications This paper presents an alternative for conservation of umbu-caja fruit ( S pondias spp.), through the development of energy-reduced jams. This preservation method makes it possible to provide a new product in the food industry, especially geared for people with restrictions on sucrose or those who want to do diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

None of the current sweeteners match sucrose in terms of sweet taste quality or temporal characteristics. In fact, the sensory performance of a sweetener changes over time and it could interact with other stimuli. Time-intensity ( t- I) and temporal of dominance sensation ( TDS) are both dynamic sensory methods, but they give different and complementary information: t- I focuses on the evolution of the intensity of one attribute, whereas TDS is a descriptive multi-attribute methodology that deals with the interactions among attributes. The objectives of this study were to describe the sweetness temporal profile of a new protein-based sweetener, MNEI, and to compare it with that of aspartame, saccharin and sucrose. First, equi-sweetness values of MNEI and of three sweeteners were determined. Then, those concentrations were investigated: the intensity of sweetness over time was evaluated in aqueous solutions by the t- I method; the interaction between sweetness and other sensory stimuli was evaluated in more complex solutions, containing flavoring and acidifying agents, by means of the TDS method. t- I results showed that the sweetness provided by MNEI decreased later than the others, in different times, and it was not extinguished completely, whereas TDS results showed that the dominant attributes of model beverages were almost the same for all sweeteners. Practical Applications The structure of MNEI is completely compatible with that of natural proteins. This protein determines a sensory performance similar to that of other studied sweeteners, especially aspartame, but has been proven to be stable in heat treatment and pH changes. No off-flavor that generally characterizes many high-intensity sweeteners ( HIS) was detected when tested by the assessors. Indeed, even if the sweetness imparted by MNEI was perceived later than the sweetness provided by sucrose, in the presence of other stimuli, no significant differences were detected. These properties could make MNEI a good choice as HIS for low-calorie beverages and dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel concept for producing chocolate dairy desserts using prebiotic and sucrose substitutes. The quality of chocolate dairy desserts was analyzed by the multiple time-intensity analysis and temporal dominance of sensations ( TDS). Time-intensity analysis showed that the sample developed with neotame had a higher intensity of sweetness; the samples with neotame and stevia had a higher intensity of bitterness; and the samples with sucrose, sucralose, aspartame and the integral one had a higher intensity of chocolate flavor. Sucralose and aspartame provided a temporal profile with parameter curves closer to the one sweetened with sucrose, as well as the addition of prebiotics. The TDS analysis also showed a similar profile between the integral sample and the prebiotic light samples with sucralose and aspartame, in relation to the attributes of sweetness, bitterness, milk chocolate flavor, bittersweet chocolate flavor, milk powder, cream and off-flavor. In this context, the addition of prebiotic and replacement of sucrose by sweeteners opens up new opportunities in product development, especially in chocolate formulation for dietetic and functional purposes. Practical Applications Temporal dominance of sensations ( TDS) has led to improve a better understanding of temporality behavior of dairy desserts' taste and flavor. In this study, the time-intensity analysis allowed the verification of changes in the perception of a product's attribute over time while TDS provided how the flavor behavior is for consumers during the dairy dessert ingestion and obtained the temporal profile of all attributes related to flavor. These methodologies are complementary and they are very useful for dairy dessert processors and people who work in the functional and sweetener industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feature of positron binding to aspartame molecule was analyzed using the ab initio multicomponent molecular orbital method. All nine stable conformers for aspartame molecule have positive positron affinity (the binding energy of a positron) values, which means that a positron can be attached to parent aspartame molecule. Analyzing the positronic orbitals of positronic aspartame conformers and the electrostatic potential maps of the corresponding parent molecules, we found that long-range electrostatic interaction is the most crucial role in positron binding to aspartame molecule. We theoretically confirmed the possibility of positron binding to the conformers of aspartame molecule with strong dipole moment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of cancer depends on the selective delivery of a sufficient number of boron-10 (10B) atoms to individual tumour cells. Cell killing results from the 10B (n, α)7Li neutron capture and fission reactions that occur if a sufficient number of 10B atoms are localized in the tumour cells. Intranuclear 10B localization enhances the efficiency of cell killing via damage to the DNA. The net cellular content of 10B atoms reflects both bound and free pools of boron in individual tumour cells. The assessment of these pools, delivered by a boron delivery agent, currently cannot be made at subcellular-scale resolution by clinically applicable techniques such as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, a secondary ion mass spectrometry based imaging instrument, aCAMECAIMS3f ion microscope, capable of 500 nm spatial resolution was employed. Cryogenically prepared cultured human T98G glioblastoma cells were evaluated for boron uptake and retention of two delivery agents. The first, L-p-boronophenylalanine (BPA), has been used clinically for BNCT of high-grade gliomas, recurrent tumours of the head and neck region and melanomas. The second, a boron analogue of an unnatural amino acid, 1-amino-3-borono-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (cis-ABCPC), has been studied in rodent glioma and melanoma models by quantification of boron in the nucleus and cytoplasm of individual tumour cells. The bound and free pools of boron were assessed by exposure of cells to boron-free nutrient medium. Both BPA and cis-ABCPC delivered almost 70% of the pool of boron in the free or loosely bound form to the nucleus and cytoplasm of human glioblastoma cells. This free pool of boron could be easily mobilized out of the cell and was in some sort of equilibrium with extracellular boron. In the case of BPA, the intracellular free pool of boron also was affected by the presence of phenylalanine in the nutrient medium. This suggests that itmight be advantageous if patients were placed on a low phenylalanine diet prior to the initiation of BNCT. Since BPA currently is used clinically for BNCT, our observations may have direct relevance to future clinical studies utilizing this agent and provides support for individualized treatment planning regimens rather than the use of fixed BPA infusion protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its widespread use, the artificial sweetener aspartame remains one of the most controversial food additives, due to mixed evidence on its neurobehavioral effects. Healthy adults who consumed a study-prepared high-aspartame diet (25 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days and a low-aspartame diet (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days, with a 2-week washout between the diets, were examined for within-subject differences in cognition, depression, mood, and headache. Measures included weight of foods consumed containing aspartame, mood and depression scales, and cognitive tests for working memory and spatial orientation. When consuming high-aspartame diets, participants had more irritable mood, exhibited more depression, and performed worse on spatial orientation tests. Aspartame consumption did not influence working memory. Given that the higher intake level tested here was well below the maximum acceptable daily intake level of 40-50 mg/kg body weight/day, careful consideration is warranted when consuming food products that may affect neurobehavioral health. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspartame (APM) is an artificial sweetener used since the 1980s, now present in >6,000 products, including over 500 pharmaceuticals. Since its discovery in 1965, and its first approval by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in 1981, the safety of APM, and in particular its carcinogenicity potential, has been controversial. The present commentary reviews the adequacy of the design and conduct of carcinogenicity bioassays on rodents submitted by G.D. Searle, in the 1970s, to the FDA for market approval. We also review how experimental and epidemiological data on the carcinogenic risks of APM, that became available in 2005 motivated the European Commission (EC) to call the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) for urgent re-examination of the available scientific documentation (including the Searle studies). The EC has further requested that, if the results of the evaluation should suggest carcinogenicity, major changes must be made to the current APM specific regulations. Taken together, the studies performed by G.D. Searle in the 1970s and other chronic bioassays do not provide adequate scientific support for APM safety. In contrast, recent results of life-span carcinogenicity bioassays on rats and mice published in peer-reviewed journals, and a prospective epidemiological study, provide consistent evidence of APM's carcinogenic potential. On the basis of the evidence of the potential carcinogenic effects of APM herein reported, a re-evaluation of the current position of international regulatory agencies must be considered an urgent matter of public health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:383-397, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal objective of this research was to determine the effects of a binder and sweeteners on the production of effervescent artichoke tea tablets from dried artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.). The recommended ratios of glycerin, sucrose and aspartame to total weight of artichoke powder and effervescent agent for production of effervescent artichoke tea tablets were 2.5, 20 and 0.6%, respectively. The effervescent artichoke tea tablets were 20 mm in diameter and 6-7 mm in height. The tablets were dried by infrared radiation at 40C air temperature and 30% air relative humidity for 18 h, and the final moisture of the tablets was 11-13%. The effervescent artichoke tea tablets were packaged in a three-layer package (polyethylene-aluminum-polyethylene) with a vacuum degree of 30%, sealing time of 3.5 s. Before use, each tablet was dissolved in 150 mL pure water at 90C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Different ratios of combined sweeteners were modified to produce an acceptable reduced-calorie carrot juice. Various hydrocolloids were investigated to improve juice cloud stability. Changes in juice quality attributes were analysed. RESULTS A combination of the sweeteners aspartame ( ASP), acesulfame potassium ( ACE) and sucralose ( SUC) was partially used to replace the sugar in carrot juice. Sensory studies indicated that juice containing 50 g kg−1 sucrose and 160 mg kg−1 ASP/ ACE/ SUC (6:1.5:1) had the highest acceptability. Thermal processing at 80 °C for 1 min retained acceptable β-carotene (4300 µg kg−1) and did not result in the cooked flavour noted at 65 °C/30 min. Pectin ( PE), carboxymethyl cellulose ( CMC), guar gum ( GU) and gellan gum ( GE) were used to stabilise the juice cloud during storage. The addition of 0.1-0.3 g kg−1 GE or 2.0 g kg−1 GU to reduced-calorie carrot juice greatly improved cloud stability after storage at 4 °C for 30 days. CONCLUSION The formulation of reduced-calorie carrot juice with ASP/ ACE/ SUC (6:1.5:1) provided synergistic sweetness and highly acceptable sensory properties. The addition of 0.3 g kg−1 GE greatly enhanced juice cloud stability during storage. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chhana kheer, a dessert containing chhana and sugar, is very popular in the Indian subcontinent. A process for manufacturing chhana kheer based on milk fat, aspartame, acesulfame- K and sucralose was optimised. Aspartame and acesulfame- K at the level of 0.015% and sucralose at the level of 0.05% were found to be the most appropriate levels for chhana kheer replacing conventional product. The predicted score of the suggested formulation was 7.28 for sweetness, 8.06 for colour and appearance, 7.04 for texture, 7.79 for flavour, 6.69 for overall acceptability and 4820 g s for consistency respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two simple spectrophotometric methods have been proposed for simultaneous determination of two colorants (Indigotin and Brilliant Blue) and two sweeteners (Acesulfame-K and Aspartame) in synthetic mixtures and chewing gums without any prior separation or purification. The first method, derivative spectrophotometry (ZCDS), is based on recording the first derivative curves (for Indigotin, Brillant Blue, and Acesulfame-K) and third-derivative curve (for Aspartame) and determining each component using the zero-crossing technique. The other method, ratio derivative spectrophotometry (RDS), depends on application ratio spectra of first- and third-derivative spectrophotometry to resolve the interference due to spectral overlapping. Both colorants and sweeteners showed good linearity, with regression coefficients of 0.9992-0.9999. The LOD and LOQ values ranged from 0.05 to 0.33 µg mL-1 and from 0.06 to 0.47 µg mL-1, respectively. The intraday and interday precision tests produced good RSD% values (<0.81%); recoveries ranged from 99.78% to 100.67% for all two methods. The accuracy and precision of the methods have been determined, and the methods have been validated by analyzing synthetic mixtures containing colorants and sweeteners. Two methods were applied for the above combination, and satisfactory results were obtained. The results obtained by applying the ZCDS method were statistically compared with those obtained by the RDS method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product formulations based on combinations of two sweeteners were optimised in a sweetened paneer whey lemon beverage (WLB) by organoleptic panels. The binary sweetener blend aspartame/saccharin (70:30, 0.0425%) scored the highest based upon comparison with the best-optimised single sweetener aspartame (0.07%) in WLB and had nonsignificant differences with the control WLB sweetened with sucrose in all sensory attributes. This best binary blend showed maximum synergy in sweetness intensity (14.4%) and overall acceptability (7.5%) in respect of a single sweetener aspartame. The multiple-sweetener approach involving use of binary blend (0.0425%) resulted in 39% reduction of usage level when compared with single sweetener aspartame (0.07%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms subject to changing environmental conditions or experimental protocols show complex patterns of responses. The design principles behind these patterns are still poorly understood. Here, modular metabolic control analysis is developed to deal with large changes in branched pathways. Modular aggregation of the system dramatically reduces the number of explicit variables and modulation sites. Thus, the resulting number of control coefficients, which describe system responses, is small. Three properties determine the pattern for large changes in the variables: the values of infinitesimal control coefficients, the effect of large rate changes on the control coefficients and the range of rate changes preserving feasible intermediate concentrations. Importantly, this pattern gives information about the possibility of obtaining large variable changes by changing parameters inside the module, without the need to perform any parameter modulations. The framework is applied to a detailed model of Asp metabolism. The system is aggregated in one supply module, producing Thr from Asp (SM1), and two demand modules, incorporating Thr (DM2) and Ile (DM3) into protein. Their fluxes are: J1, J2, and J3, respectively. The analysis shows similar high infinitesimal control coefficients of J2 by the rates of SM1 and DM2 ( and , respectively). In addition, these coefficients present only moderate decreases when the rates of the corresponding modules are increased. However, the range of feasible rate changes in SM1 is narrow. Therefore, for large increases in J2 to be obtained, DM2 must be modulated. Of the rich network of allosteric interactions present, only two groups of inhibitions generate the control pattern for large responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheological properties of salep beverage samples were evaluated in relation to four processing variables: aspartame concentration, 2-6 g/100 mL; lemon fiber concentration, 0.5-2.5 g/100 mL; cooking time, 5-25 min and serving temperature 25-65C. The power law model fitted the shear stress-shear rate data. Salep beverage samples exhibited a shear-thinning behavior. A second-order composite design was used to investigate the effects of the four processing variables on the consistency index (k) and sensory score (Ss) of the samples to find the optimum levels of these processing variables. The aspartame and lemon fiber concentration had the most significant increasing effect on the consistency index and Ss, while serving temperature had a decreasing effect on these values. Based on Ss, optimum conditions were determined as aspartame concentration = 6.0 g/100 mL, lemon fiber concentration = 2.1 g/100 mL, cooking time = 11.6 min and serving temperature = 26C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) conference held at the Royal Society in London, England on April 15, 2010 is presented. Topics include the renewed interest in low-calorie or intense sweeteners, the potential of sweetness as a psychological sensation and the myths surrounding these sweeteners. The convention featured several health and nutrition experts including John Blundell, Judith Buttriss and Adam Drewnowski.

The article presents a study which seeks to determine the carcinogenic potency of the artificial sweetener aspartame (APM) in mice. It states that the study was conducted by letting Swiss mice consume feed added with APM from the time of gestation until death. Results show that increased occurrences of APM dose-related hepatocellular carcinomas and alveolar carcinomas developed in male mouse. It also asserts that APM is a carcinogen that attacks different organs of rodents.

Epidemiological data have demonstrated an association between artificial sweetener use and weight gain. Evidence of a causal relationship linking artificial sweetener use to weight gain and other metabolic health effects is limited. However, recent animal studies provide intriguing information that supports an active metabolic role of artificial sweeteners. This systematic review examines the current literature on artificial sweetener consumption in children and its health effects. Eighteen studies were identified. Data from large, epidemiologic studies support the existence of an association between artificially-sweetened beverage consumption and weight gain in children. Randomized controlled trials in children are very limited, and do not clearly demonstrate either beneficial or adverse metabolic effects of artificial sweeteners. Presently, there is no strong clinical evidence for causality regarding artificial sweetener use and metabolic health effects, but it is important to examine possible contributions of these common food additives to the global rise in pediatric obesity and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sucrose was successfully replaced with the sweetener aspartame for the preparation of the indigenous dairy product burfi. Analytical conditions were standardised for the solid phase extraction of aspartame and its degradation products from burfi followed by their reverse phase HPLC. Recovery using this method was 90–97%. Aspartame at a level of 0.065% of milk w/w scored highest in terms of sweetness perception and resembled control burfi in sweetness. Storage studies at 6–8°C revealed that aspartame-sweetened burfi resembled the control burfi in retaining the sensory profile, but showed an increase in acidity and microbial load and could not retain the texture. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed no degradation of aspartame in burfi, establishing its stability and hence its sweetness on storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspartame (a-Laspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methylester) is a dipeptide low-calorie artificial sweetener that is widely used as a nonnutritive sweetener in foods and drinks. The safety of aspartame and its metabolic breakdown products (phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol) was investigated in vivo using chromosomal aberration (CA) test and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test in the bone marrow cells of mice. Swiss Albino male mice were exposed to aspartame (3.5, 35, 350mg/kg body weight). Bone marrow cells isolated from femora were analyzed for chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges. Treatment with aspartame induced dose dependently chromosome aberrations at all concentrations while it did not induce sister chromatid exchanges. On the other hand, aspartame did not decrease the mitotic index (MI). However, statistical analysis of the results show that aspartame is not significantly genotoxic at low concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upon ingestion, the artificial sweetener, aspartame is metabolized to formaldehyde in the body and has been reportedly associated with systemic contact dermatitis in patients exquisitely sensitive to formaldehyde. We present a case of a 9-year-old Caucasian boy with a history of mild atopic dermatitis that experienced severe systematized dermatitis after being started on montelukast chewable tablets containing aspartame. Patch testing revealed multiple chemical sensitivities which included a positive reaction to formaldehyde. Notably, resolution of his systemic dermatitis only occurred with discontinuation of the montelukast chewables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]