Glucin

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Glucin is the name of an artificial sweeting agent similar to saccharin that was used in the early 20th century.^[1] The substance is a sodium salt derived from coal tar. It is composed of a mixture of mono- and di-sulfonic acids with a chemical formula of C₁₉H₁₆N₄. It typically appears as a light brown power, easily soluble in water. Glucin is about three hundred times sweeter than cane sugar.^[2]

The use of glucin as a food additive is prohibited in much of the United States due to concerns about its health effects.

[edit] References

1. ^ Ward, Artemas (1911). The Grocer's Encyclopedia. 
2. ^ Leach, Albert Ernest (1904). Food Inspection and Analysis: For the Use of Public Analysts, Health Officers, Sanitary Chemists, and Food Economists. Chapman & Hall.