E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
E501 (Potassium Carbonates / K2CO3) is an inorganic alkaline mineral salt. INS 501(i), ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), used as the key 'Kansui' alkaline agent in Japanese ramen noodles and in the Dutch processing of cocoa powder.
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
|
E501 | E951 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate) | INS 951 |
|
Functional Class
|
Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt | High-Intensity Artificial Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | 40 mg / kg body weight per day (US FDA: 50 mg/kg) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow | Stimulates T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors with clean, sugar-like taste profile |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening | Diet sodas, tabletop sweetener packets (Equal), sugar-free gelatin desserts, drink mixes |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher | Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, Contains Phenylalanine (Warning for PKU patients mandatory) |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619) | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.804) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
K2CO3 | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 4.0 kcal / g (Negligible at use levels / ~0.1 kcal per serving) kcal/g |