To identify the substance that is not an artificial sweetener, an examination of each compound's function is necessary:
Aspartame: A low-calorie artificial sweetener, recognized for its sweetness and prevalent in sugar-free items.
Alitame: This low-calorie artificial sweetener is noted for its enhanced sweetness compared to aspartame and finds application in diverse food products.
Sucralose: A zero-calorie artificial sweetener derived from sugar, commonly utilized in beverages and food items.
Sodium benzoate: This compound functions primarily as a food preservative, inhibiting microbial growth, rather than as a sweetener.
Consequently, sodium benzoate is the compound that does not serve as an artificial sweetener. Its role as a preservative distinguishes it from the other compounds used for sweetening.