Structure and uses of Saccharin MCQs With Answer

Structure and uses of Saccharin MCQs With Answer is a focused study aid for B. Pharm students that explores saccharin’s chemical structure, functional groups, physical and chemical properties, pharmaceutical applications, and formulation considerations. This concise, keyword-rich introduction highlights saccharin as a benzoic sulfimide derivative, its common salt forms, sweetness potency, stability, and role as a non-nutritive sweetening agent in syrups, tablets, and oral dosage forms. These MCQs emphasize mechanism of sweetness, solubility, metabolism, safety considerations, and analytical detection methods relevant to pharmacy practice. Use this resource to deepen your understanding of saccharin’s role in drug formulation and patient care. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the IUPAC name of saccharin?

• 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide
• Benzoic acid, 2-sulfamoyl-
• Sodium o-sulfonylbenzoate
• p-Toluenesulfonamide

Correct Answer: 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide

Q2. What is the molecular formula of saccharin?

• C7H5NO3S
• C6H6O3S
• C8H6N2O2S
• C7H7NO4S

Correct Answer: C7H5NO3S

Q3. Which functional group is characteristic of saccharin’s structure?

• Sulfonimide (sulfimide) group
• Carboxylic acid group
• Alcohol group
• Ether group

Correct Answer: Sulfonimide (sulfimide) group

Q4. Approximately how many times sweeter than sucrose is saccharin?

• 300–500 times sweeter
• 2–5 times sweeter
• 10–20 times sweeter
• 50–100 times sweeter

Correct Answer: 300–500 times sweeter

Q5. Who discovered saccharin?

• Remsen and Fahlberg in 1878
• Fischer and Kuhn
• Pasteur and Lister
• Salk and Sabin

Correct Answer: Remsen and Fahlberg in 1878

Q6. Which salt form of saccharin is most commonly used in aqueous pharmaceutical formulations due to high solubility?

• Sodium saccharin
• Calcium saccharin
• Potassium saccharin
• Free saccharin acid

Correct Answer: Sodium saccharin

Q7. What is the approximate pKa of saccharin (acidic proton)?

• Approximately 1.6
• Approximately 7.4
• Approximately 4.5
• Approximately 9.8

Correct Answer: Approximately 1.6

Q8. How is saccharin primarily eliminated from the human body?

• Excreted largely unchanged in urine
• Metabolized to sulfate and excreted in bile
• Converted to carbon dioxide and exhaled
• Stored in adipose tissue

Correct Answer: Excreted largely unchanged in urine

Q9. Which statement about saccharin’s thermal stability is correct?

• Saccharin is heat-stable and can be used in some baked products
• Saccharin decomposes at typical cooking temperatures
• Saccharin sublimes at low temperatures and cannot be heated
• Saccharin polymerizes on heating

Correct Answer: Saccharin is heat-stable and can be used in some baked products

Q10. Which taste receptor heterodimer is primarily involved in detecting saccharin’s sweetness?

• T1R2–T1R3 heterodimer
• T2R bitter receptors
• ENaC sodium channels
• TRPV1 pain receptor

Correct Answer: T1R2–T1R3 heterodimer

Q11. What is the primary pharmaceutical use of saccharin?

• As a non-nutritive sweetening agent in syrups and chewable tablets
• As an active antimicrobial agent
• As a primary binder in tablets
• As an enteric coating polymer

Correct Answer: As a non-nutritive sweetening agent in syrups and chewable tablets

Q12. What sensory drawback can occur with saccharin at high concentrations?

• Bitter or metallic aftertaste
• Excessive sourness
• Burning sensation on tongue
• Complete loss of sweetness

Correct Answer: Bitter or metallic aftertaste

Q13. Which of the following are common commercial forms of saccharin?

• Sodium saccharin and calcium saccharin
• Potassium saccharin and magnesium saccharin
• Free saccharin only
• Saccharin ester derivatives only

Correct Answer: Sodium saccharin and calcium saccharin

Q14. How would you describe the appearance of saccharin used in pharmaceutical formulations?

• White crystalline powder, odorless
• Yellow oily liquid with pungent odor
• Brown granular solid with strong odor
• Clear viscous syrup

Correct Answer: White crystalline powder, odorless

Q15. Is saccharin metabolized to a significant extent in humans?

• No, it is not significantly metabolized and is excreted unchanged
• Yes, it is converted into glucose
• Yes, it is largely metabolized to aromatic amines
• Yes, it is transformed into ethanol

Correct Answer: No, it is not significantly metabolized and is excreted unchanged

Q16. Which chemical class best describes saccharin?

• Benzoic sulfimide derivative
• Aliphatic alcohol derivative
• Carbohydrate ester
• Polypeptide

Correct Answer: Benzoic sulfimide derivative

Q17. In formulation science, saccharin is commonly used to:

• Mask the bitter taste of active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Act as a primary disintegrant
• Serve as a lubricant in tablet compression
• Function as a controlled-release matrix polymer

Correct Answer: Mask the bitter taste of active pharmaceutical ingredients

Q18. What is the acid–base character of saccharin in aqueous solution?

• Acidic (can donate a proton)
• Strongly basic
• Neutral and non-ionizable
• Zwitterionic with both + and − charges

Correct Answer: Acidic (can donate a proton)

Q19. Why is saccharin often blended with other sweeteners like aspartame in formulations?

• To mask aftertaste and produce a more sugar-like profile
• To increase caloric content
• To reduce solubility in water
• To produce a bitter taste for certain products

Correct Answer: To mask aftertaste and produce a more sugar-like profile

Q20. Which property makes sodium saccharin preferable over free saccharin acid in syrups?

• Higher water solubility
• Higher volatility
• Lower sweetness potency
• Greater tendency to oxidize

Correct Answer: Higher water solubility

Q21. Saccharin is classified as which type of sweetener?

• Non-nutritive sweetener (no calories)
• High-fructose sweetener
• Bulk carbohydrate sweetener
• Polyol (sugar alcohol)

Correct Answer: Non-nutritive sweetener (no calories)

Q22. Does saccharin contribute to dental caries?

• No, it is non-cariogenic
• Yes, it significantly promotes caries
• Only when heated above 100°C
• Only in combination with sucrose

Correct Answer: No, it is non-cariogenic

Q23. Which atom in saccharin is central to its sulfonyl-containing functional group?

• Sulfur
• Chlorine
• Phosphorus
• Selenium

Correct Answer: Sulfur

Q24. For diabetic patients, saccharin is generally considered:

• Suitable as it does not increase blood glucose
• Contraindicated because it raises glucose
• Only suitable in injectable forms
• Suitable only when mixed with sucrose

Correct Answer: Suitable as it does not increase blood glucose

Q25. Which analytical technique is commonly used to quantify saccharin in pharmaceutical formulations?

• HPLC with UV detection
• Polarimetry
• NMR only without chromatography
• Flame photometry

Correct Answer: HPLC with UV detection

Q26. Which adverse finding in early animal studies led to regulatory scrutiny of saccharin?

• Bladder tumors in male rats under high doses
• Acute liver necrosis in mice at low doses
• Severe neurotoxicity in guinea pigs
• Cardiac arrhythmias in rabbits

Correct Answer: Bladder tumors in male rats under high doses

Q27. What is a common pharmaceutical concentration consideration when using saccharin in oral syrups?

• Use low milligram amounts because of high sweetness potency
• Use grams per milliliter for equivalent sweetness of sucrose
• Use no more than trace ppm due to extreme toxicity
• Use in equal weight to sucrose for same sweetness

Correct Answer: Use low milligram amounts because of high sweetness potency

Q28. Which of the following is true about saccharin’s chemical stability?

• Relatively stable under acidic and neutral conditions
• Rapidly hydrolyzes in mildly acidic media
• Explodes on exposure to air
• Reacts violently with water

Correct Answer: Relatively stable under acidic and neutral conditions

Q29. In formulation, saccharin is often chosen over sucrose because it:

• Provides sweetness without adding calories or cariogenic potential
• Has the same bulk and mouthfeel as sucrose
• Is nutritive and provides energy to patients
• Is cheaper and more volumetric than sucrose

Correct Answer: Provides sweetness without adding calories or cariogenic potential

Q30. Which of these is a limitation of saccharin in pharmaceutical taste-masking?

• Persistent bitter aftertaste at higher concentrations
• Instability at room temperature
• Strong sweet taste even at negligible concentrations
• High caloric contribution to dosage form

Correct Answer: Persistent bitter aftertaste at higher concentrations

Q31. Which derivative of saccharin is commonly used when a non-sodium option is preferred?

• Calcium saccharin
• Ammonium saccharin
• Potassium saccharin hydrate
• Methyl saccharin ester

Correct Answer: Calcium saccharin

Q32. Which statement about saccharin’s odor is correct?

• It is essentially odorless
• It has a strong sulfurous odor
• It emits a fruity aroma at room temperature
• It smells like ammonia

Correct Answer: It is essentially odorless

Q33. Which property of saccharin affects its use in chewable tablets vs syrups?

• High sweetness potency allowing low-dose addition in both forms
• Inability to dissolve in any liquid
• Requirement to be used only as a coating material
• Use as the sole bulking agent for tablets

Correct Answer: High sweetness potency allowing low-dose addition in both forms

Q34. Which pH condition is saccharin most likely to remain stable in typical pharmaceutical solutions?

• Acidic to neutral pH ranges
• Strongly alkaline pH above 12
• Only in pH 9–11 range
• It is unstable at all pH values

Correct Answer: Acidic to neutral pH ranges

Q35. What is a typical reason to choose saccharin for pediatric oral formulations?

• To improve palatability without adding calories
• To provide nutrient supplementation
• To act as a primary preservative
• To acidify the preparation

Correct Answer: To improve palatability without adding calories

Q36. Which outcome best describes saccharin’s effect on blood glucose levels?

• No significant effect on blood glucose
• Produces rapid hyperglycemia
• Causes sustained hypoglycemia
• Converts to glucose on digestion

Correct Answer: No significant effect on blood glucose

Q37. Which statement about saccharin’s interaction with light is generally true?

• It is not particularly photosensitive under normal storage conditions
• It rapidly polymerizes on light exposure
• It decomposes into toxic gases under indoor light
• It becomes fluorescent under UV and loses sweetness

Correct Answer: It is not particularly photosensitive under normal storage conditions

Q38. In a drug formulation, which combination helps reduce saccharin’s metallic aftertaste?

• Blending with other sweeteners like aspartame or cyclamate
• Adding large amounts of sodium chloride
• Removing all flavoring agents
• Crushing the saccharin into finer particles only

Correct Answer: Blending with other sweeteners like aspartame or cyclamate

Q39. Which is true regarding saccharin and newborns/infants?

• Use with caution; formulations should follow pediatric guidelines
• It is a required nutrient in infant formulas
• It is strictly contraindicated in all pediatric use
• It provides essential calories for growth

Correct Answer: Use with caution; formulations should follow pediatric guidelines

Q40. Which physical form of saccharin is least soluble in water?

• Free saccharin acid
• Sodium saccharin
• Calcium saccharin
• Saccharin solution concentrate

Correct Answer: Free saccharin acid

Q41. Which factor is important when determining saccharin dose in a formulation?

• Sweetness potency relative to sucrose and desired taste profile
• Color matching with active ingredient
• Ability to cross-link polymer matrices
• Magnetic properties of saccharin

Correct Answer: Sweetness potency relative to sucrose and desired taste profile

Q42. Which is a typical analytical wavelength region used for saccharin detection by UV?

• UV region near 220–230 nm
• Infrared region at 1500 nm
• Visible region at 600 nm
• Microwave frequencies

Correct Answer: UV region near 220–230 nm

Q43. Saccharin’s role in chewable tablets is primarily to:

• Enhance palatability and acceptability
• Act as the main binder and hardening agent
• Serve as the primary active pharmaceutical ingredient
• Provide effervescence

Correct Answer: Enhance palatability and acceptability

Q44. Which statement about environmental fate of saccharin is correct?

• It is persistent and can be detected in wastewater effluents
• It is completely mineralized in all wastewater treatment plants
• It vaporizes and is not found in water systems
• It forms strong covalent bonds with soil particles and is immobile

Correct Answer: It is persistent and can be detected in wastewater effluents

Q45. Which pharmaceutical dosage form commonly uses saccharin for taste modulation?

• Oral syrups and suspensions
• Intravenous emulsions
• Transdermal patches
• Intramuscular depot injections

Correct Answer: Oral syrups and suspensions

Q46. When formulating a flavored tablet, saccharin concentration is adjusted mainly to:

• Balance sweetness with flavor intensity and minimize aftertaste
• Increase tablet weight to match marketing claims
• Control disintegration time exclusively
• Act as a colorant

Correct Answer: Balance sweetness with flavor intensity and minimize aftertaste

Q47. Which statement best describes saccharin’s taste profile compared to sugar?

• Much sweeter but can taste less sugar-like with a lingering aftertaste
• Less sweet and exactly the same mouthfeel as sucrose
• Identical in all sensory properties to sucrose
• Only bitter with no sweet perception

Correct Answer: Much sweeter but can taste less sugar-like with a lingering aftertaste

Q48. Which precaution is relevant when storing saccharin in a pharmacy compounding area?

• Store in a cool, dry place away from strong bases
• Store submerged in water to maintain purity
• Keep exposed to sunlight to preserve sweetness
• Store at elevated temperatures above 60°C

Correct Answer: Store in a cool, dry place away from strong bases

Q49. Which property makes saccharin suitable for use in low-calorie medicinal lozenges?

• High sweetness potency with negligible calories
• Ability to form gels and networks at room temperature
• Intrinsic antimicrobial preservative action
• Providing bulk and texture equivalent to sugars

Correct Answer: High sweetness potency with negligible calories

Q50. Regarding human carcinogenic risk, which statement summarizes current understanding about saccharin?

• Rodent bladder tumor findings were species-specific and not considered predictive for humans
• Saccharin is a proven human carcinogen and is banned globally
• Saccharin causes immediate genetic mutations in human cells at dietary doses
• All humans show bladder tumors after chronic saccharin consumption

Correct Answer: Rodent bladder tumor findings were species-specific and not considered predictive for humans

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