Home » Stevia Natural Sweetener (Sweta)
Stevia Natural Sweetener (Sweta)
Natural Extraction
Glycosides, naturally extracted from the leaf of the stevia herb plant
(chrysanthemum family), are used to make Sweta- the stevia natural sweetener. The
origin of this herb can be traced back in Paraguay, hundreds of years ago
but at present is actively cultivated in various parts of the globe.
150-170 times sweeter than sugar, Sweta originates purely from natural
sources and provides natural sweetness like that of sugarcane. As a solution
to the growing need of natural sweeteners, Sweta is the healthiest
alternative to cane sugar.
At present, it is widely consumed by millions of people from native origins
of Paraguay and Brazil to Japan, Korea, China, India, Taiwan, USA, Russia
and other countries. As Stevia is a natural plant, rich in low calorie
sweeteners and with numerous phyto-nutrients, volatile oils, minerals,
vitamins, proteins and fibers, it is popular among diabetic & calorie
conscious consumers.
Technical Overview
Chemical Structure and Properties
Derived from diterpene glycosides (found in the stevia leaf), the sweet
taste of stevia results from the application of enzyme cyclomaltodextrin
glucanotransferase (CGTase) which remodels the carbohydrate part of the
stevia molecule. The non-reducing terminal residue is transformed from a
starch molecule into a glucose receptor by stevia to build up the cyclic
cyclodextrin oligosaccharides.
| Chemical properties |
| Total
Content of Stevioside & Derivatives |
: |
90% |
| Elemental
composition |
: |
C44H72O24 |
| Specific
Optical rotation, [?]25 D (H2O, 1%, w/v) |
: |
-38° |
| Specific
absorbance (E1cm1 %) |
: |
0.05 |
| Melting
point |
: |
196-198°C |
| Loss
on drying, % |
: |
2.92% |
| Solubility |
: |
Ethanol/water |
| Beta-cyclodextrin |
: |
0.3% |
| Dextrose
equivalent, % |
: |
0.4% |
| Ash,
% |
: |
0.15% |
| Heavy
Metals |
: |
0.8ppm |
| Arsenic
(as As), ppm |
: |
0.7 |
| Lead
(as Pb), ppm |
: |
0.08 |
| Cadmium
(as Cd), % |
: |
0.03 |
| Viable count of microbial cells |
| Yeasts
and Molds |
: |
< 50/g |
| Coli
farm bacteria |
: |
None |
| Salmonella
|
: |
None |
|
Sweta Vs Sugar
As a calorie free natural sweetener Sweta markets itself
as a healthy product when compared to sugar. Its chemical structure &
properties, its benefits towards health, stability, solubility, consistency,
high-potency etc. are features that make it a healthy option. Certain
comparisons between sugar & Sweta are as follows:
| Sugar Vs Sweta |
|
Sugar |
Sweta |
| Cost Factor |
Price Growing |
Comparable |
| Calorie Content |
Very High |
Nil |
| Negative Effects on Health |
Many |
None |
| High Potency |
Nil |
Highly |
| Origin |
Natural |
Natural |
| After-taste |
Non-bitter |
Non-bitter |
| Fermentable |
Yes, Creates Caries |
No, Anti-Caries |
| Stability in high heat |
Highly Stable |
Highly Stable |