Fun fact: aspartame is sometimes made from a genetically modified version of E. Coli.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame
Chemistry
Aspartame is the methyl ester of the dipeptide of the natural amino acids L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine. Under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions, aspartame may generate methanol by hydrolysis. Under more severe conditions, the peptide bonds are also hydrolyzed, resulting in the free amino acids.[7]
In certain markets aspartame is manufactured using a genetically modified variation of E. coli.[8][9]