Aspartame is the methyl ester of the dipeptide of the natural amino acids L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine. It is composed only of the L-isomers. It is odorless and dissolves in water. Under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions, aspartame first generates methanol by hydrolysis.
It is used to sweeten a variety of foods and beverages and as a tabletop sweetener. Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, tastes good, enhances citrus and other fruit flavors, saves calories and does not contribute to tooth decay.