Reactive Crystallization of Steviol Glycosides for High Solubility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana leaves face challenges in efficiently isolating high-intensity sweeteners like rebaudioside A and stevioside, often requiring complex and costly processes involving solvents and resins, and result in low yields due to poor solubility of these compounds in water.
Innovation Solution
An enzymatically mediated reactive crystallization (ERX) process that uses glycosyltransferases to convert steviol glycosides into more soluble forms, such as rebaudioside M and D, through enzymatic reactions in an aqueous solvent system, allowing for higher concentration processing and reduced reliance on solvents and resins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional solvent-based extraction and resin-based purification methods are used to isolate steviol glycosides, then the purity of the sweeteners can be achieved, but the process complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic solvents and resins from the traditional processing workflow. By using enzymatic reactions in aqueous media, the method eliminates the need for organic solvent extraction and resin-based purification steps, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining product purity through selective enzymatic conversion and crystallization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical separation systems (solvents and resins) with a biological system (enzymes). The glycosyltransferases selectively convert stevioside and rebaudioside A into more soluble derivatives that can be separated through simple filtration and centrifugation, substituting complex chemical purification with a more straightforward physical separation process
2Productivity
If traditional processing methods are used, then some steviol glycosides can be isolated, but the yields are low due to poor water solubility of these compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the steviol glycosides by using enzymatic reactions to add sugar moieties to stevioside and rebaudioside A, converting them into rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D respectively. These modified compounds have significantly improved water solubility, allowing for higher concentration processing and increased yields without requiring organic solvents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces enzymes (glycosyltransferases) as intermediaries that facilitate the conversion of poorly soluble steviol glycosides into more soluble forms. These enzymes act as mediators that enable the transformation while maintaining aqueous conditions, thereby improving solubility and yield without introducing harmful solvents
3Reliability
If steviol glycosides like rebaudioside A and stevioside are produced, then high-intensity sweetness is achieved, but bitterness effects are commonly associated with these compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful bitterness associated with rebaudioside A and stevioside into a benefit by using enzymatic reactions to transform these compounds into rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D. These derivative compounds maintain the desired high-intensity sweetness while eliminating or reducing the bitter aftertaste, effectively converting a harmful property into a beneficial product
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the solubility and yield of high-intensity sweeteners, improving the taste profile and economic value of Stevia-derived sweeteners by increasing the sucrose equivalent per kilogram of leaf harvested, while minimizing the use of solvents and resins.
Implementation Method 1
An enzymatically mediated reactive crystallization (ERX) process that uses glycosyltransferases to convert steviol glycosides into more soluble forms
Implementation Method 2
convert steviol glycosides into more soluble forms, such as rebaudioside M and D, through enzymatic reactions
Implementation Method 3
enzymatically mediated reactive crystallization (ERX) process
Implementation Method 4
allowing for higher concentration processing and reduced reliance on solvents and resins
Data Source
AI summary
Methods to process steviol glycosides are provided herein. The method deploys enzymatically medicated reactive crystallization. Products comprising crystals produced by enzymatically mediated reactive crystallization are provided. A method to blend enzymatically mediated reactive crystallization products to provide high solubility is given. A method to generate highly soluble steviol glycoside products is provided whereby enzymatically medicated reactive crystallization mother liquors are evaporated and dried. The steviol glycoside crystals of the present disclosure increase specific sucrose equivalent value of the leaf, improve taste, lower cost, and improve quality.