Everything You Need to Know About Stevia Extract Stevioside

Introduction

Stevia extract stevioside is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. Known for its intense sweetness and zero-calorie content, stevioside has become a popular alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. This article explores the origins, benefits, uses, safety, and potential side effects of stevioside, providing a comprehensive understanding of this natural sweetening compound.

What is Stevia Extract Stevioside?

Stevia extract stevioside is one of the major sweetening compounds found in the stevia plant. It is a glycoside, which means it is a molecule that consists of a sugar bound to a non-sugar substance. Stevioside is responsible for the plant’s sweet taste, being approximately 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). Unlike sugar, stevioside does not raise blood glucose levels and has minimal calories, making it an attractive option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake.

There are many types of steviosides, and different types of steviosides have different sweetness and flavor characteristics. Their characteristics are as follows:

Main steviosides

Rebaudioside A (Reb A):

Sweetness: Rebaudioside A is the most common and widely used stevioside, and its sweetness is about 200-300 times that of sucrose.

Flavor: Reb A has a sweetness closest to sucrose, with almost no bitterness or aftertaste, so it is widely used in food and beverages.

Severiaside:

Sweetness: The sweetness of stevioside is about 200-300 times that of sucrose.

Flavor: Stevioside has a distinct sweetness, but may have a slight bitterness or medicinal taste, and is often used in mixed sweeteners to improve the flavor.

Rebaudioside D (Reb D):

Sweetness: The sweetness of Reb D is about 200-350 times that of sucrose.

Flavor: Reb D has a pure sweetness and less bitterness, and is gradually gaining more applications in the market, especially in high-end foods and beverages.

Rebaudioside M (Reb M):

Sweetness: Reb M is about 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose.

Flavor: Reb M has extremely pure sweetness and almost no bitterness, and is considered a potential stock for the next generation of steviol glycoside products.

Dulcoside A:

Sweetness: Dulcoside A is about 50-120 times sweeter than sucrose.

Flavor: Dulcoside A has a weak sweetness and is usually mixed with other steviol glycosides to enhance the overall sweetness.

Minor steviol glycosides

Rebaudioside B (Reb B):

Sweetness: Reb B is about 300 times sweeter than sucrose.

Flavor: Reb B is present in small amounts, has a pure sweetness and low bitterness, and is usually found in high-purity stevioside products.

Rebaudioside C (Reb C):

Sweetness: Reb C is about 30-120 times sweeter than sucrose.

Flavor: Reb C is less sweet and has a significant bitter taste, which is usually removed or reduced during the extraction process.

Rebaudioside E (Reb E):

Sweetness: Reb E is about 150-200 times sweeter than sucrose.

Flavor: Reb E is relatively pure in sweetness, but has a slight bitterness or aftertaste, and is often used in combination with other steviosides.

About Lifeworth

Our Lifeworth is a professional supplier & manufacturer for Pure stevia powder,we mainly supply stevia extract steviol glycoside series products, the products include Rebaudioside A series products RA 99% RA 98% RA 97% RA 95% RA 90%;Rebaudioside B 95%, Rebaudioside C 90%, Rebaudioside D 95%, RebaudiosideM 95%;debitterized steviol glycoside (STV) series products STV-95% STV-90% STV-80%;organic stevia powder bulk;we can supply a full range of steviol glycoside products.Our annual production of stevioside series products exceeds 40,000 tons, and the product quality meets the standards of USP NF EP FAO WHO JECFA JP.

Our company has passed the third-party audit and certification such as CQC, SGS, INTERTEK, and obtained ISO9001, ISO14001, FSSC22000, ISO45001, BRCGS, KOSHER, HALAL and other international certifications.Also certified organic:EU organic certification, US organic certification, Japanese organic certification。At present, our products have been exported to more than 60 countries around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, etc., and the product quality is deeply recognized by customers from all countries.

Our stevioside products are as follows:

The Extraction Process Stevia Extract Stevioside

Raw Material Preparation

Stevia Cultivation:

Variety Selection: Choose high-sweetness varieties of stevia, such as those with high Rebaudioside A content.

Growing Conditions: Stevia thrives in warm, humid climates with well-drained soil and ample sunlight.

Planting and Maintenance: Plant stevia seeds or seedlings in prepared soil, spacing them appropriately. Regular watering, weeding, and fertilizing are essential for healthy growth.

Harvesting:

Timing: Harvest stevia leaves just before flowering for optimal sweetness.

Method: Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems, leaving a few inches of stem above the soil to allow for regrowth. Select the healthiest, greenest leaves for processing.

Extraction Process

Leaf Drying:

Air Drying: Spread the harvested leaves in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Turn them occasionally until completely dry.

Dehydrator: Use a food dehydrator to speed up the drying process. Set it to the lowest temperature and dry the leaves until they are crisp and crumble easily.

Oven Drying: For quick drying, spread the leaves on a baking sheet and place them in an oven set to the lowest temperature. Keep the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape.

Water Extraction:

Soaking: Place the dried leaves in a container and soak them in hot water to release the sweet compounds.

Filtration: Filter the solution to remove plant material and impurities. This can be done using fine mesh sieves or filtration systems.

Purification:

Resin Adsorption: Pass the filtered solution through resin columns that adsorb the stevioside. This helps to isolate stevioside from other components.

Elution: Use a water-alcohol mixture to elute (release) the stevioside from the resin.

Concentration: Concentrate the eluate by evaporating the solvent, typically under reduced pressure to preserve the stevioside.

Crystallization:

Cooling: Cool the concentrated solution to promote the formation of stevioside crystals.

Separation: Separate the crystals from the liquid using centrifugation or filtration.

Drying: Dry the stevioside crystals to remove any remaining solvent or moisture.

Final Processing

Grinding and Sieving:

Grinding: Grind the dried stevioside crystals into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or industrial grinder.

Sieving: Sieve the ground stevioside to ensure uniform particle size.

Blending and Packaging:

Blending: If needed, blend the stevioside powder with other ingredients to achieve the desired sweetness level and consistency.

Packaging: Pack the stevioside powder into airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.

Quality Control

Testing: Conduct rigorous testing at various stages of the production process to ensure purity, sweetness level, and absence of contaminants. This may include High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and other analytical methods.

Certification: Obtain necessary certifications such as ISO, HACCP, and others to assure product quality and safety.

Benefits of Stevioside

Zero Calories: white Stevioside powder provides sweetness without adding calories, making it ideal for weight management.

Blood Sugar Control: It does not affect blood glucose levels, making it suitable for people with diabetes.

Dental Health: Unlike sugar, pure stevia powder does not contribute to tooth decay and may even help reduce the risk of cavities.

Natural Origin: Being derived from a plant, stevia extract powder is considered a natural alternative to synthetic sweeteners.

Antioxidant Properties: Some studies suggest that stevioside powder has antioxidant properties, which can help protect cells from damage.

Uses of Stevioside

pure stevia extract Stevioside can be used in a variety of applications, including:

Beverages: It can be added to tea, coffee, smoothies, and other drinks for sweetness without sugar.

Baking and Cooking: Stevioside is heat-stable, making it suitable for baking and cooking. However, it does not provide bulk like sugar, so recipe adjustments may be needed.

Processed Foods: Many commercially prepared foods and beverages, such as yogurts, cereals, and soft drinks, use stevioside as a sweetener.

Tabletop Sweetener: nunaturals white stevia powder is available in powder, liquid, and tablet forms for convenient use as a tabletop sweetener.

Safety and Side Effects

Regulatory Approval: Stevia extract Stevioside has been approved for use as a sweetener by several health authorities, including the FDA, EFSA, and WHO.

Daily Intake: The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for stevioside is set at 4 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.

Digestive Issues: Some individuals may experience mild digestive issues, such as bloating or nausea, when consuming large amounts of stevioside.

Allergic Reactions: Although rare, some people may be allergic to stevia or stevioside. It is advisable to start with small amounts to ensure tolerance.

Potential Health Benefits

Weight Management: By providing sweetness without calories, stevioside can help reduce overall calorie intake and support weight loss efforts.

Diabetes Management: Stevioside can be a useful tool for managing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, as it does not cause spikes in blood glucose.

Hypertension: Some studies suggest that stevioside may help lower blood pressure, although more research is needed to confirm this effect.

Conclusion

Stevia extract stevioside offers a natural and healthy alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. With its zero-calorie content, minimal impact on blood sugar levels, and potential health benefits, stevioside is an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their sugar intake. Whether used in beverages, cooking, or commercial food products, stevioside provides a versatile and safe sweetening option. As always, it is important to consume stevioside in moderation and be aware of any individual sensitivities.

Reference:

https://foodinsight.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stevia-sweeteners

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/what-is-stevia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia