Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the market. It consists of amino acids and provides calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a low-calorie sweetening agent in food items. What is the basis of this use ?

1. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener composed of two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine). 2. Like other amino acids, it does provide calories when metabolized by the human body (approximately 4 kcal per gram). 3. However, aspartame is intensely sweet – about 180-200 times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose). 4. Because it is so sweet, only very small quantities are needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness in food items. 5. The use of these small quantities means that the number of calories contributed by aspartame through oxidation is negligible, making it effective as a low-calorie sweetening agent. 6. Option (D) correctly captures this basis: its high sweetness intensity allows for the use of small quantities, resulting in fewer calories compared to using table sugar for the same level of sweetness.