Artificial Sweeteners and their Environmental Impact

The general public's diet has changed to conform to the latest weight-loss trends, which has led to a rise in the use of artificial sweeteners with no calories. These sweeteners include Sucralose (C12H19Cl3O8) as one of their main examples. Seldom is the fate of these sweeteners thought of after they enter our environment. However, a recent study (1) by University of Florida researchers reveals that sucralose, a popular artificial sweetener, may harm our freshwater ecosystems.

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The study assessed the impact of sucralose, commonly called E955, on microorganisms in water systems. Sucralose is one of the sweeteners permitted for use in Canada, the United States, Australia, Mexico, Russia, Romania, China, the European Union, and Mercosur. Sucralose, according to research, inhibits the growth of blue-green algae, often known as cyanobacteria, which photosynthesise to produce oxygen, aid in controlling the oxygen content of the marine environment, and serve as a food source for a variety of organisms, including fish. When microorganisms consume sucralose instead of these nutrients, their growth is inhibited because the enzymes that normally break down natural sugars to power their metabolism are unable to break down sucralose. Once sucrose is discharged into our water system and the surrounding environment, this could harm the food chain and disrupt delicately balanced ecosystems.

The exposure of aquatic bacteria to sucrose causes them to "spike and crash”

Sugar substitutes with fewer calories, such as sucralose, are extracted from the body since they are not metabolised by the human body. That is also the starting point of the environmental issue. The sugar mimics find their way into our water, rivers, and soil since existing wastewater treatment facilities are unable to filter out them. Furthermore, sucralose is a persistent pollutant, or "forever chemical," meaning that it is difficult to break down. It is difficult for bacteria to break down, which explains why. Particularly non-degradable per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are among the forever chemicals that are becoming more and more prevalent in our rivers, streams, and seas (2). PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made compounds included in a wide range of consumer goods, such as waterproof clothes, makeup, and skincare items (3). (PFAS) have a long half-life in the human body and pose serious health hazards, including the potential to cause cancer, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, liver damage, and infertility (4).

Because they are difficult to break down, artificial sweeteners that persist in our environment function similarly to PFAS. How can this be resolved?

Because artificial sweeteners cannot be broken down, they behave similarly to PFAS and are still present in our environment. There is an immediate need for techniques for effectively extracting and recovering them from wastewater if they cannot be avoided. One of these is the application of biomimetic membranes, which are filtration systems that draw impurities out of water using naturally occurring proteins. New bioinspired membranes (5) that resemble biological gateways seen in nature are being developed by scientists at Aston University in the United Kingdom in collaboration with researchers worldwide. With little energy input and low pressure, they will be able to extract certain molecules from water. To create DNA, for instance, cells must absorb phosphorus, but this cannot simply pass through the fatty membranes that envelop every cell. As a result, unique transport proteins that function as particular "gates" to let phosphate into cells are present in the membranes of cells. To remove phosphate from water in a precise way for commercial application, bioinspired membranes extract and embed these transport proteins in plastic membranes.

Conclusion

The aforementioned findings should serve as a reminder to water corporations and regulators to increase their efforts in minimising the many sources of chemical pollution that have the potential to impact the quality of water in the environment.

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