We are awarded with two R&D Projects by National Medicinal Plants board - 

1. Identification of High Yielding Stevia Cultivars Suitable for Gangetic Alluvial Regions of West Bengal 

​

2. Quality Planting Material Production Of Stevia rebaudiana Through Polyploidy Induction:

Some picture update from our South Africa Project. 

 -Live Updates-

Small Scale Stevia Extraction

I am happy to announce that the construction of miniature steviol glycoside extraction set-up is completed successfully. We have adopted resin free extraction technology for this extraction system. In this process, the first crystallization yields TSG of 90% purity – which can be purified into TSG 95% and Reb A 98% by recrystallization. In our set-up, we used miniature versions of industrial equipment, as far as practicable. All the custom equipment are fabricated in our laboratory.

​

The technology is specifically suitable for small sized extraction unit. With this technology, the process economy is less dependent on the production scale. Small yet economically viable extraction units with processing capacity as low as 100 Kg dry leaves per day can also be built by adopting this technology.

The Stevia Buyback Scam

In my career in Stevia value addition chain, I met several persons who are dedicatedly and honestly working for development of this sector and upliftment of the economic conditions of the farmers. But, to our dismay, all their excellent work is being undone by a group of corrupt people who claim themselves as Stevia leaf buyback agents. 

Liquid liquid counter-current extraction of steviol glycosides

In the small scale extraction process for steviol glycosides, leaves are first extracted with hot water and the liquid extract is subsequently processed to separate steviol glycoside from it. The liquid extract is clarified by either chemical- or electro-coagulation and filtering. Then the liquid is extracted with a water immiscible solvent. The solvent takes up the steviol glycoside from the water extract as the solvent has higher affinity towards the glycosides. In this process, basically, the extracting solvent is vigorously mixed with the water extract and then the mixture is allowed to stand, so that the two layers – water and the extracting solvent - separate. The extraction solvent is then decanted off from the mix. The process is repeated several times until the original water extract is almost free of steviol glycosides. The extraction solvent is now pooled together and evaporated to crystallize out the steviol glycoside.  

​

Classically, there are several methods for solvent extraction. In laboratories and small lab scale systems, it is done as a batch process. The batch process is time consuming and the ratio of extraction solvent to the water extract is often very high.

​

One of the most efficient liquid-liquid extraction processes is counter-current extraction. It has several advantages. We have developed an optimized liquid-liquid extraction process for steviol glycosides. You can find more details about this process by clicking the button below.    

Development of Stevia Sweetened Fruit Beverages

Recently, we succeeded in developing stevia sweetened fruit juice/pulp based natural drink concentrates. Several formulations have already been commercialized by two different companies.  These formulations do not have any added sugar in them.

​

This is a new niche for application of stevia and deep sugar reduction. We are looking for organizations interested in commercialization of these novel products.

Stevia Conspiracy Theories ! 

Few days ago my good friend Mr. Richard Howes, Chief Innovation Manager, South African Cane Growers’ Association drew my attention to a webpage “Toxic Truth About Stevia”. I visited the webpage and was quite surprised to find some tedious piece of work deliberately aimed to spread misinformation about Stevia. Later I found that the content of that particular webpage has been replicated in several other websites. It was really perplexing and I felt real clueless about the motives of some people who take these extraordinary efforts to create planned confusion. The text in the webpage was full with examples of poor scientific knowledge, hearsay and distortion. At first, I thought that it will be more prudent to ignore this type of propaganda, because these people are trying to garner public attention by play-acting as controversialists. But, at the same time, I was concerned about the potential effect of these misinformation on unsuspecting people who may be scared off from stevia.

​

So, I invested some time to prepare a reply to scientifically refute their arguments. I shall be glad myself if anybody points to the deficiencies of my logic and counter-arguments. Read the complete story by clicking the following button.    

Modern Stevia Farming

Are you interested in commercial stevia farming ? Learn about modern stevia agro-technologies and secrets of successful stevia farming.

Research and Development Update

Reports and critical reviews on recent research and developments in stevia science. Have a look at the upcoming innovations for market and the future of stevia at large.  

Extraction Technologies and Recent Developments

Learn about Steviol Glycoside Extraction technology options – which were once closely guarded secrets. Keep yourself updated with recent developments in this sector.

Presentations

Have a look at a collection of my presentations, on different aspects of stevia. I tried to explain some popular topics about stevia in a simple manner.

Recent Trends in Stevia Formulations

Get updated information about formulation of retail and industrial pre-mixes with steviol glycosides. This is often the least discussed and understood part of stevia value addition chain.

Blog posts

Have a look at my blog posts. These posts cover a wide array of topics. Visitors are also encouraged to contribute in this section.