Work

Extraction of acesulfame potassium from sweetened foods using a K₃PO₄-PEG aqueous two-phase system

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) represents a promising direction in food technology, aligning well with the modern food industry’s pursuit of sustainability and zero-residue processes. In this study, we constructed a stable ATPS using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and phosphate salts. The phase-separation tendency of the K3PO4-PEG system increased with higher PEG average mass, elevated temperature, and higher pH values. Subsequently, the PEG-K3PO4 ATPS was employed for the recovery of the sweetener acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). Due to electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, Ace-K preferentially partitioned into the PEG-rich phase. The ATPS was further applied to extract Ace-K from actual samples, including cola, eight-treasure porridge, and oral solutions. The spiked recovery rates ranged from 94.58% to 110.92%, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.22 mg/L and 0.67 mg/L, respectively. This phosphate-PEG-based ATPS offers a safe, efficient, and cost-effective strategy for the detection and recovery of sweeteners in food and pharmaceutical products.

Source: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2025.108765

Authors: Xunan Zhang, Zhenzhen Cai, Wei Zong

Institution: Qiqihar University

Language: English

Topic: Chemical and Physical Properties in Aqueous Solutions

Subfield: Filtration and Separation

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450