2011 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2011 · GS Paper I

Question 62: Science and Technology

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 ?

aAspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike table sugar, it is not readily oxidized in human body due to lack of requisite enzymes
bWhen aspartame is used in food processing, the sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to oxidation
cAspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion into the body, it is converted into metabolites that yield no calories
dAspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Aspartame is made of two amino acids and does yield energy, about 4 kcal per gram like other amino acids, but it is roughly 200 times sweeter than table sugar. So a tiny quantity gives the same sweetness, and the calories it adds are negligible. It is metabolised in the body, so it is not simply resistant to oxidation, and it is not as sweet as sugar, but far sweeter. Remember: it is low in calories because very little is needed.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) It is far sweeter than sugar, and the body does have the enzymes to metabolise it.
  • (b) Processing does not make it resistant to oxidation.
  • (c) It is far sweeter than sugar, not equally sweet, and its metabolites do yield energy.
  • (d) Right: it is many times sweeter than sugar, so very little is used and calories are fewer.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2011, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.