METHYL ASPARTYLPHENYLALANINE Meaning and
Definition
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Methyl Aspartylphenylalanine, commonly known as Me-asp-phe or aspartame, is an artificial sweetener widely used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products. It is a low-calorie sweetening agent that exhibits approximately 200 times the sweetness of regular table sugar and is commonly found in sugar-free or "diet" products.
The chemical structure of Methyl Aspartylphenylalanine consists of three main components: the methyl ester group, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. Aspartame is synthesized by combining these components, resulting in a white, odorless powder with a sweet taste.
Once ingested, Methyl Aspartylphenylalanine is metabolized into its component parts, including aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are naturally occurring amino acids found in many foods and are also produced by the human body. Methanol, however, is toxic in large quantities and is further metabolized into formaldehyde and formic acid.
The sweetness of Methyl Aspartylphenylalanine comes from its ability to stimulate taste receptors on the tongue, providing a sweet sensation without contributing to the caloric content of the food or beverage. As a result, it has gained popularity as a sugar substitute for individuals seeking to reduce their sugar intake or for those with certain dietary restrictions, such as diabetes.
While Methyl Aspartylphenylalanine is approved for use by various food regulatory authorities, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some concerns have been raised regarding its safety. In particular, individuals with a rare genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) must be cautious, as phenylalan
Common Misspellings for METHYL ASPARTYLPHENYLALANINE
- nethyl aspartylphenylalanine
- kethyl aspartylphenylalanine
- jethyl aspartylphenylalanine
- mwthyl aspartylphenylalanine
- msthyl aspartylphenylalanine
- mdthyl aspartylphenylalanine
- mrthyl aspartylphenylalanine
- m4thyl aspartylphenylalanine
- m3thyl aspartylphenylalanine
- merhyl aspartylphenylalanine
- mefhyl aspartylphenylalanine
- meghyl aspartylphenylalanine
- meyhyl aspartylphenylalanine
- me6hyl aspartylphenylalanine
- me5hyl aspartylphenylalanine
- metgyl aspartylphenylalanine
- metbyl aspartylphenylalanine
- metnyl aspartylphenylalanine
- metjyl aspartylphenylalanine
- metuyl aspartylphenylalanine
Etymology of METHYL ASPARTYLPHENYLALANINE
The word "Methyl Aspartylphenylalanine" does not have an established etymology because it is not a recognized English word. It appears to be a compound name formed by combining various chemical terms.
However, it can be broken down into its individual components:
- Methyl: Derived from the Greek word "methy" meaning "wine" or "spirit". In organic chemistry, it refers to a group of molecules consisting of one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms.
- Aspartyl: Derived from "aspartic acid", an amino acid that was first discovered in asparagus juice. "Aspartic" comes from "asparagus", and "-yl" is a common suffix for organic compounds.
- Phenylalanine: An essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It comes from "phenyl", which refers to the aromatic ring structure, and "alanine", an amino acid.
