Chapter U4.79, Problem 2E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The evidence that shows it is difficult to exceed the lethal dose of aspartame must be explained.

Concept introduction:

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. It is the methyl ester of a dipeptide made of aspartic acid and phenyl alanine. Fructose is a monosaccharide which is a ketohexose (6 carbons with one keto group). Lethal dose (LD₅₀) is the amount of a substance required per kg body weight of a living being to kill 50 % of the cells.

Answer to Problem 2E

As aspartame has LD₅₀ value 10 mg/kg, it would be difficult to exceed the lethal dose of aspartame.

Explanation of Solution

Aspartame is much sweeter than sucrose that is approximialy 200 times. Thus very less amount of aspartame is used in food. This amount cannot exceed the 10 mg/kg dose. So it would be difficult to exceed the lethal dose of aspartame as it increases the sugar level in the blood.