Aspartame is a dipeptide methyl ester composed of aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Its chemical name is L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. Because it contains phenylalanine, individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it. Other options for comparison: Saccharin - a sulfonamide compound, not derived from amino acids. Sucralose - a chlorinated derivative of sucrose (sugar), not protein-based. Alitame - a dipeptide sweetener related to aspartame but has a different amine component (aspartic acid + a different amine, not phenylalanine).