Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color)
E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
E160a (Beta-Carotene) is a fat-soluble orange carotenoid tetraterpenoid obtained by synthesis, fermentation of Blakeslea trispora, or plant extraction. INS 160a(i)/(ii), ADI is Not Specified, providing deep orange-yellow hues in dairy, juices, and fats.
E951 (Aspartame) is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide yielding ~200x the sweetness of sucrose. INS 951, ADI is 40 mg/kg bw/day, the historic sweetener in Diet Coke and tabletop sweetener packets.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E160a | E951 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 160a(i) / 160a(ii) | INS 951 |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Yellow-Orange), Provitamin A Fortificant | High-Intensity Artificial Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Specified (Quantum Satis from dietary/fermentation forms) | 40 mg / kg body weight per day (US FDA: 50 mg/kg) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
11 conjugated double-bond chromophore system absorbing blue-violet light; converts into 2 molecules of retinol (Vitamin A) | Stimulates T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors with clean, sugar-like taste profile |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Butter, margarine, processed cheeses, orange juices, baked pastries | Diet sodas, tabletop sweetener packets (Equal), sugar-free gelatin desserts, drink mixes |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan (Plant/Fermentation), Halal, Kosher Certified | Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, Contains Phenylalanine (Warning for PKU patients mandatory) |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.95) | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.804) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
C40H56 | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 4.0 kcal / g (Negligible at use levels / ~0.1 kcal per serving) kcal/g |
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