Which of the following artificial sweetener is methyl ester of dipeptide formed from aspartic acid and phenyl alanine ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 1, Aspartame, is the correct answer because it is indeed a methyl ester of a dipeptide formed from aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartame is a widely used artificial sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). It is composed of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which are linked together to form a dipeptide. The methyl ester group is attached to the carboxyl end of the phenylalanine, which is what gives aspartame its sweetening properties. This specific chemical structure is what makes aspartame unique among artificial sweeteners.

Now, let's explain why the other options are incorrect:

2. Alitame: Alitame is another artificial sweetener, but it is not a methyl ester of a dipeptide formed from aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Instead, it is derived from the amino acids L-aspartic acid and D-alanine, along with a novel amine. Its structure and composition are different from aspartame, which is why it does not fit the description given in the question.

3. Saccharin: Saccharin is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners and is not related to amino acids or dipeptides. It is a sulfonamide compound, which means it contains a sulfonamide group, and it does not involve aspartic acid or phenylalanine in its structure. Therefore, it does not match the description of being a methyl ester of a dipeptide.

4. Sucralose: Sucralose is a chlorinated derivative of sucrose (table sugar) and is not related to amino acids or dipeptides. It is made by replacing three hydroxyl groups on the sucrose molecule with chlorine atoms. This chemical modification makes it much sweeter than sucrose, but it does not involve aspartic acid, phenylalanine, or a methyl ester group, making it unrelated to the description in the question.

In conclusion, Aspartame is the only option that fits the specific chemical description provided in the question, which is why Option 1 is the correct answer.