The accidental invention of saccharin, the all-too-popular artificial sweetener
You might have seen your favourite celebs promoting sugar substitutes in TV commercials. Well, they are nothing but artificial or natural sweeteners that are often low on calories. Saccharin is one such low-cal sugar-free option that is popular, especially among diabetes patients. Turns out, this lab-made sweetener was accidentally invented only in the late 19th century. It even earned the spot of world’s first commercially available pseudo-sweetener in the second half of the 20th century. That being said, do you know how saccharin came into existence? Let's dig into the story of this much-loved alternative to sugar.
The birth of saccharin
To learn about the birth of saccharin, let’s turn the clock back to the 1870s. Ira Remsen, an American chemist, returned to the United States after completing his Ph.D from Munich and Gottingen University in Germany. On his return to the US, he joined the newly established John Hopkins University in Baltimore as part of the original faculty. In 1876, Remsen set up the first ever Chemistry Department in the university.
The following year, a Russian chemist by the name Constantin Fahlberg entered the scene. A sugar expert-import company had hired him to evaluate the purity of imported sugar. The same firm introduced Fahlberg to Remsen to obtain permission to use the latter’s laboratory for testing. Soon both of them developed a good rapport, and Fahlberg joined Remsen's study (finding out sugar alternative from coal tar derivatives) at the University in 1878.
On one of those days, Fahlberg was so engrossed in the lab work that he nearly forgot to eat until after dark. Finally, when he did sit down for supper at his university’s cafeteria, it took him a few moments to realise that his regular bread tasted sweet like a cake and the water tasted like a syrup; to his surprise, even the napkin he used to wipe his mouth with tasted sugary. Soon, he figured that he was the reason behind the sudden sweetness of everything around; and confirmed his suspicion by sucking on his thumb. As soon as he understood what had happened, he rushed back to the laboratory, tasted everything he was working on, and finally found the source. Guess what it was? A chemical compound called ‘anhydro- ortho-benzoic sulphimide’ derived from coal tar, which the world now identifies as saccharin. Fascinating, right?
The saccharin patent fraud
After Fahlberg and Remsen realised that they have chanced upon an exemplary sweetener, in 1879, the duo published a research paper on the method of saccharin synthesis. Apart from a few minor differences, the two researchers were on the same page regarding their invention. However, they soon parted ways in June 1880.
While Remsen stayed back, Fahlberg moved on and even got a new job at the Harrison Bros. & Co. sugar refinery in Philadelphia. But he couldn’t stop thinking about the compound he and Remsen had accidentally invented, even after leaving Remsen's lab.
In 1882, Fahlberg, while working at his regular job came across a Leipzig-based merchant named Adolph List, they came up with the concept of commercial use of this formulation.
Fahlberg knew that without filing a patent, he would not be able to commercialise the product. Here’s where he took an unethical step and without informing Remsen filed for German and American patents. On September 15, 1885, Fahlberg was granted the U.S. patent for saccharin. He soon established a business and began marketing sweeteners in the form of pills and powders.
In 1886, when Remsen learned of Fahlberg's patent fraud, he was outraged and instantly objected to it. Although he put forth all the facts, Fahlberg denied his scientific contribution to the invention. It may have been because Fahlberg very well knew that Remsen had no interest in commercialising the research findings and would not have approved his plans of business application. And he was right! Till the time Remsen lived, his only regret was not receiving the scientific acknowledgment he deserved. But that didn’t give Fahlberg the right to get the saccharin patent alone, did it?
Bonus fact: It was Remsen and not Fahlberg who came up with the name ‘saccharin.’ He derived it from the Greek word ‘saccharine” meaning “sugary.”
The growing popularity of saccharin
By early 20th century, saccharin had made a name for itself as an artificial sweetener and even established itself as a strong competitor (often an alternative) to sugar. However, it was only during the First World War, that saccharin rose into fame. Can you guess why? Yes, during this time, there was an acute sugar shortage. That is why saccharin took over the world overnight and started being used as a sugar substitute. The same happened during the Second World War, but by then, saccharin usage had already increased significantly.
Fast forward to 1960s and saccharin started being advertised for its weight loss quality. After all, it was definitely low on calorie (with no nutritional value!). And the rest, as they say, is history! Despite stiff competition from other sweeteners, saccharin is still the most widely known and preferred sweetener option!
Fun fact: Saccharin is 550 times sweeter than regular sugar, but has a bitter aftertaste.