Holland Sweetener Company, V.o.f.

Alexander P Vrinzen

Marinus P Rijkers

Antoon G Toussaint

Improved method for crystallization of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (aspartame) from an aqueous solution by conductive cooling while avoiding turbulence in the crystallizing system wherein crystallization is carried out with cooling to a temperature level not lower than 10.degree. C. in the presence of at least 0.1% by weight of a C.sub.3-8 ketone, the amount of ketone and the temperature level being chosen for each individual ketone so that a homogeneous solvent system is present at the start of crystallization and an open drainable network of aspartame crystals is obtained.

Crystallization of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester from

A method for crystallizing aspartame comprising the combination of steps of: (A) providing (i) dispersed droplets of a fluid mixture comprising aspartame and water, and (ii) a water-immiscible fluid zone; (B) passing the dispersed droplets through the water-immiscible fluid zone under effective temperature and dispersive conditions to effect cooling of the dispersed droplets so that a state of initial relative supersaturation of aspartame between about 1 and 6 is formed within the dispersed droplets; (C) collecting the dispersed droplets in the supersaturated state in a substantially static collection zone so that a slurry comprising a crystalline form of aspartame is formed from the droplets. The method provides for rapid, efficient cooling of aspartame solutions and yields aspartame crystals with desirable qualities.

The invention relates to a process for the crystallisation of aspartame by neutralising an aqueous solution of aspartame, having a pH of less than 3, with a base and homogenising the solution by means of forced convection, characterised in that the solution is neutralised, and homogenised, in such a manner that the solution obtained is substantially homogeneous and has a pH higher than 3, with the solution no longer being mechanically stirred at least from the beginning of the last second before crystallisation is visually perceptible.

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Meerssen, Netherlands

Alexander P Vrinzen