Extraction and purification of stevioside

[seetharam annadana]

Extraction and purification of stevioside and other natural glycosides

TECHNOLOGY

Process for extracting and purifying stevioside and other natural and nontoxic sweet glycosides from dried Stevia rebaudiana leaves.

PROCESS AND PRODUCT

The process involves the aqueous extraction of dried Stevia rebaudiana leaves, two stages of adsorption, purification, concentration and drying. Water and alcohol are the only solvents used in the process, which was tested at a scale of 7 kg of leaves. The yield is from 7 to 10% of dried weight i.e. 1 kg produces 70 to 100 g of steviosides. This natural sweetener is capable of withstanding heat and acidity in foods or other products of commercial value such as nutraceuticals and food ingredients.

MARKET

The sweetening potency of stevioside extracts is estimated up to 300 times that of table sugar. Steviodide and Stevia glycosides are not approved for sale in Canada at present but are in demand in other countries.

OPPORTUNITY SOUGHT

The FRDC wants to establish an effective partnership with a manufacturing firm to conduct pilot tests at a scale of 50 kg of leaves or more and bring the project to the pre-industrial testing level.

Under a licensing agreement, the Centre will provide the firm with all the necessary scientific and technical assistance during the development and testing phases.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Intellectual property rights belong to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Chiang Mai University (Thaïland). This technology was developed by Marie-Rose Van Calsteren, Ph.D., Research scientist in the Bio-Ingredients Section at the FRDC.

CONTACT AT THE FRDC

Steve Bittner, M. Sc., agr.
Senior Advisor
Commercialization and Business Development
FRDC, 3600, Casavant Blvd. W., St.Hyacinthe
(Quebec) CANADA J2S 8E3
Telephone: (450) 773-1105 #280
Fax: (450) 773-8461