DITHIONITE SHELF-STABLE SWEETENERS

Abstract

A reductive composition, suitable for the dental industry, which utilizes sodium dithionite may be provided when it is combined with a sweetener selected from the salts of acesulfame. Sodium and potassium acesulfame show effective resistance to the reductive capacity of sodium dithionite. Other dithionite molecules, such as potassium dithionite, may be used.

Claims

1. A chemically reductive composition comprising a dithionite molecule interspersed in a medium with a salt of acesulfame.

2. The chemically reductive composition of claim 1, the dithionite molecule being chosen from the set of dithionite molecules consisting of sodium dithionite and potassium dithionite.

3. The chemically reductive composition of claim 1, the salt of acesulfame being selected from the set of the salts of acesulfame consisting of sodium acesulfame and potassium acesulfame.

4. A chemically reductive composition comprising dithionite and a salt of acesulfame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] To describe the way the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific example embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a sodium dithionite molecule (prior art).

[0014] FIG. 2 is a drawing of a potassium acesulfame molecule (prior art).

[0015] FIG. 3 drawing of a sodium saccharin molecule (prior art).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the chemically reductive compositions are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a,” “an,” and “the,” as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0017] When dithionite solutions interact with sugars and/or artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame, they are quickly reduced and are no longer sweet. However, the salts of acesulfame (FIG. 2), particularly acesulfame potassium, which are commercially available, are compatible with dithionite; especially in compositions with a water content of less than 20%. Acesulfame is surprisingly resistant to the reduction potential of dithionite, even in the presence of water. This is a surprise since acesulfame is structurally like sodium saccharin, which is unstable with respect to dithionite and is no longer sweet within a few days (FIG. 3). Though functionally similar, and with similar moieties, it would be believed that acesulfame and saccharin would behave in an analogous manner chemically; yet this is not the case. Acesulfame retains its sweetness when combined with dithionite, even in the presence of water and at alkaline pH (above 7). Therefore, creating dental whitening compositions with salts of dithionite, such as sodium or potassium dithionite, with salts of acesulfame, such as acesulfame potassium or sodium acesulfame, create a palatable whitening composition that is remarkably shelf stable. While the named salts are preferred, other salts of dithionite or acesulfame may be utilized for similar, though possibly lesser, effect.

[0018] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Therefore, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.