In the present study, artificial sweeteners—aspartame,
acesulfame-K and binary sweetener blend of aspartame
x acesulfame-K were assessed for stability during storage in
whey lemon beverage. A solid phase extraction method using
C18 cartridges was standardized for the isolation of aspartame,
acesulfame-K and their degradation products in whey
lemon beverage. HPLC analytical conditions were standardized
over C18 column for simultaneous separation of multiple
sweeteners and their degradation products in sample isolates.
Storage studies revealed that increase in acidity and viscosity
and decrease in pH and ascorbic acid content of artificially
sweetened whey lemon beverage samples were similar to the
changes occurring in control samples during storage.
Analysis using HPLC showed that aspartame (added either
singly or in a blend) and acesulfame-K (added in a blend)
were stable in whey lemon beverage under refrigerated
condition for 15 days.