Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Investigation of Artificial Sweeteners in Makgeolli Distributed in South Korea Using HPLC

HPLC를 이용한 국내 유통 막걸리 내 인공감미료 함량 조사

  • Hyewon Shin (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Minseo Kim (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Yeji Kim (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Nayeon Park (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Younglim Kho (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University)
  • 신혜원 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과) ;
  • 김민서 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과) ;
  • 김예지 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과) ;
  • 박나연 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과) ;
  • 고영림 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과)
  • Received : 2023.11.27
  • Accepted : 2023.12.26
  • Published : 2023.12.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: Artificial sweeteners are chemically synthesized substances used to add sweetness to foods. Representative substances include aspartame and acesulfame-K, which are 200 times sweeter than sugar. Recently, the IARC classified aspartame as class 2B, but Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea announced that it would maintain the current usage standards. Acesulfame-K, which has the potential to cause cancer, was excluded from the list of possible carcinogens, raising questions about its safety. According to a survey by the Consumers Union of Korea, 85% of makgeolli includes artificial sweeteners, but the content labelling is not indicated. It is necessary to accurately determine the intake of artificial sweeteners through makgeolli. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the safety of makgeolli consumption by identifying the content of artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfam-K) and preservatives (sorbic acid). Methods: Twenty makgeolli samples were purchased from large supermarkets and convenience stores by referring to the sales ranking of makgeolli products distributed in South Korea and the purchase ranking from online sites. The sample was sonicated to remove alcohol and carbon dioxide. Nine mL of acetonitrile was mixed with 1 mL of the prepared sample, centrifuged, and the supernatant was filtered and analyzed using HPLC. Results: As a result of the analysis, aspartame was detected in 17 products and acesulfame-K was detected in ten. The ADI of aspartame (40 mg/kg·bw/day) is higher than the EDI based on the maximum concentration 126.5 ㎍/mL. The ADI of acesulfame-K (15 mg/kg·bw/day) is higher than the EDI based on the highest concentration of 82.96 ㎍/mL. Although the health risk is low, IARC has raised the possibility of aspartame causing carcinogenesis, so there is a need to reevaluate the standards and regulations for artificial sweeteners. Conclusions: Through this study, we aimed to determine the content of aspartame and acesulfame-K contained in makgeolli currently distributed in South Korea and the safety of exposure to the human body when consumed.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 연구는 2023년 을지대학교 대학혁신지원사업 지원을 받아 진행한 연구임.

References

  1. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Standards and Specifications of Food Additives, Full Text of the Notice (Notice No. 2023-60). Available: https://various.foodsafetykorea.go.kr/fsd/#/ext/Document/FA [accessed 20 September 2023].
  2. Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation. Survey on Liquor Industry Information for 2021. Available: https://www.at.or.kr/ap/bid/apko363100/view.action?bidId=13964 [accessed 21 April 2022].
  3. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Aspartame. Available: https://www.foodsafetykorea.go.kr/foodcode/04_03.jsp?idx=8200281 [accessed 10 August 2023].
  4. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Acesulfame-K. Available: https://www.foodsafetykorea.go.kr/foodcode/04_03.jsp?idx=8200269 [accessed 10 August 2023].
  5. Chemical News. [Food Additives] (2)Typical Food Preservative, Sorbic Acid. Available: https://www.chemicalnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=4769 [accessed 22 July 2022].
  6. World Health Organization. Aspartame. Available: https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/Home/Chemical/62 [accessed 25 September 2023].
  7. Vitamin. Acesulfame-K. Available: http://vitamin.or.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=sweetener&wr_id=21 [accessed 6 January 2020].
  8. Yun SS, Lee SJ, Lim DY, Lim HS, Lee G, Kim MK. Monitoring of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid in spices. J Food Hyg Saf. 2017; 32(5): 381-388. https://doi.org/10.13103/JFHS.2017.32.5.381
  9. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Sorbic Acid. Available: https://www.foodsafetykorea.go.kr/foodcode/04_03.jsp?idx=8200204 [accessed 10 August 2023].
  10. Newsis. "Is Makgeolli Recognized as a 'Traditional Liquor'?" Liquor Industry "Looking Forward to Its Second Heyday". Available: https://mobile.newsis.com/view.html?ar_id=NISX20220915_0002013229#_PA [accessed 15 September 2022].
  11. KATI. Agricultural Food Export Information. Available: https://www.kati.net/product/basisInfo.do?lcdCode=MD172 [accessed 21 July 2023].
  12. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Aspartame-related Food and Makgeolli Industry Response Trends. Available: https://www.mafra.go.kr/home/5109/subview.do;jsessionid=ylFFqQLo0K7v-ZKBOpbITR30.inst11?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGaG9tZSUyRjc5MiUyRjU2NjgxNyUyRmFydGNsVmlldy5kbyUzRg==, [accessed 14 July 2023].
  13. The Korea Health Industry Development Institute. National nutrition statistics (2021). Available: https://www.khidi.or.kr/kps/dhraStat/result10?menuId=MENU01663&year=2021 [accessed 18 November 2023].
  14. The Korea Health Industry Development Institute. National nutrition statistics-eaters (2021). Available: https://www.khidi.or.kr/kps/dhraStat/result13?menuId=MENU01666&gubun=sexman&ye ar=2021 [accessed 18 November 2023].
  15. Choi S, Lee M, Park E, Won J, Kim S, Park S, et al. Assessment of estimated daily intake of sweeteners in the Korean population. Korean J Food Sci Technol. 2011; 43(3): 387-395. https://doi.org/10.9721/KJFST.2011.43.3.387
  16. Kim IY, Du OJ, Lee SD, Park YH, Kim MS, Bea CH, et al. Determination of six sweeteners in children's favorite foods by HPLC-MS/MS. J Food Hyg Saf. 2010; 25(2): 118-121.
  17. Lee MG, Lee SR. Reduction factors and risk assessment of organophosphorus pesticides in Korean foods. Korean J Food Sci Technol. 1997; 29(2): 240-248.
  18. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Maintaining Current Usage Standards without Any Safety Issues at Aspartame. Available: https://www.mfds.go.kr/brd/m_99/view.do?seq=47460&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1 [accessed 14 July 2023].