Product Overview & China Production Capacity
Neotame (CAS 165450-17-9, molecular formula C₂₀H₃₀N₂O₅, MW 378.46) is an ultra-high-intensity artificial sweetener approximately 7,000–13,000 times sweeter than sucrose, derived from aspartame through N-alkylation with 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde. China has become a significant global producer of neotame, with dedicated synthesis facilities in Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces achieving annual capacities of several hundred metric tons. Manufacturer-direct supply from China provides pharma and food-grade neotame at globally competitive pricing.
Neotame offers significant advantages over aspartame including dramatically higher sweetness potency (requiring extremely small usage levels), improved stability at elevated temperatures and pH extremes, and no requirement for phenylalanine warning labeling. In pharmaceutical formulations, it provides exceptional taste-masking at concentrations as low as 2–10 ppm, making it cost-effective for bitter drug taste modification. Chinese manufacturers produce neotame meeting FCC, JECFA, and pharmacopoeial specifications through optimized synthesis and purification processes.
Manufacturing Standards & Quality Assurance
Production facilities hold ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000, and kosher/halal certifications. Quality testing includes assay (HPLC), specific rotation, related substances, residual solvents, water content, heavy metals, arsenic, and microbial limits. Products meet FCC, JECFA, and FDA approval specifications. Manufacturing follows pharmaceutical quality protocols with validated analytical methods.
Synthesis involves reductive alkylation of aspartame with 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde using hydrogen over palladium catalyst. Multi-step purification including chromatography and recrystallization achieves pharma-grade purity. Chiral integrity is verified by polarimetry and chiral HPLC. Each batch undergoes complete impurity profiling before release.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 165450-17-9 |
| Molecular Formula | C₂₀H₃₀N₂O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 378.46 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | 97.0–102.0% |
| Sweetness Intensity | 7,000–13,000× sucrose |
| Specific Rotation [α]D²⁰ | -40.0° to -46.0° |
| Water Content | ≤5.0% |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤2 ppm |
| Regulatory Status | FDA approved, EU approved (E961), JECFA |
Packaging & Export Logistics
Neotame is packed in 1 kg, 5 kg, or 25 kg aluminum foil bags within fiber drums, stored under cool, dry conditions protected from moisture. Lead time is 10–15 business days. FOB from Shanghai or Nanjing; CIF and DDP terms available.
Due to extreme sweetness potency, small packaging formats are standard. Documentation includes CoA, SDS, kosher/halal certificates, and regulatory compliance dossiers.
China Supply Advantage
China’s established aspartame production infrastructure provides cost-effective starting material for neotame synthesis, delivering competitive pricing 30–50% below Western specialty chemical pricing. Growing Chinese production capacity provides supply alternatives to traditional sole-source manufacturers. Chinese neotame producers serve food, beverage, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide with consistent quality and responsive commercial support.