What statement regarding aspartame is false?
a. People with the inherited disease phenylketonuria cannot consume aspartame.
b. It is made from two monosaccharides.
c. Its relative sweetness is 180 compared to sucrose.
d. It is made from two amino acids.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The **correct answer is:
b. It is made from two monosaccharides.
Explanation:
Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener widely used as a sugar substitute in many “sugar-free” or “diet” products, including soft drinks, chewing gum, and desserts. To understand which statement is false, let’s evaluate each option carefully.
Option a: “People with the inherited disease phenylketonuria cannot consume aspartame.”
✅ True.
Aspartame contains phenylalanine, an amino acid that individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize properly. In people with PKU, consuming phenylalanine can lead to harmful levels in the brain, causing intellectual disabilities and other neurological problems. Therefore, food products containing aspartame must carry a warning label for those with PKU.
Option b: “It is made from two monosaccharides.”
❌ False.
This is the incorrect statement. Aspartame is not made from two monosaccharides (simple sugars like glucose or fructose). Instead, it is composed of two amino acids—aspartic acid and phenylalanine—with a methyl ester group. Unlike table sugar (sucrose), which is made of glucose and fructose (two monosaccharides), aspartame has a completely different chemical structure and origin. Therefore, this statement is false.
Option c: “Its relative sweetness is 180 compared to sucrose.”
✅ True.
Aspartame is approximately 180 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). This means only a small amount is needed to achieve the same level of sweetness, which is why it is popular in calorie-reduced or “diet” products.
Option d: “It is made from two amino acids.”
✅ True.
As mentioned, aspartame is a dipeptide composed of aspartic acid and phenylalanine, making this statement accurate.
Summary:
The false statement is option b, because aspartame is made from amino acids, not monosaccharides.