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Human Gut Microbiome Can Degrade the Sweetener Acesulfame K with Potential Damaging Effects in the Intestinal Barrier Function

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Acesulfame K (Ace-K) is a commonly consumed sweetener, although knowledge about the Ace-K-gut microbiota interaction remains limited. This study evaluates dose-dependent effects of Ace-K on metataxonomics, metagenomics, and metabolic activity of children gut microbiota developed in a dynamic gut simulator. An Ace-K-dose dependent increase in Anaerostipes, Coprococcus, Subdoligranulum, Blautia, Sutterella wadsworthensis, Alistipes, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron was observed. Butyrate showed a dose–response increase that correlated with Ace-K consumption, suggesting its microbial metabolism. Increasing bacterial taxa showed sulfatase and amidase activities potentially capable of degrading Ace-K, releasing sulfamate and acetoacetate, which species such as Anaerostipes hadrus and Intestinimonas can metabolize to produce butyrate via the butanoyl-CoA pathway. Furthermore, the Ace-K-microbiome interaction led to a dose-dependent decrease in Caco-2 epithelial integrity, possibly due to the release of sulfated metabolites. This study provides evidence of the potential risk of Ace-K consumption based on its metabolism by the human gut microbiome.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c16498

Authors: Alicia Bellanco, Cristina Yépez-Notario, Marta Lozano, M. Carmen Martínez-Cuesta, Teresa Requena

Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias

Language: English

Topic: Gut microbiota and health

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500