PureCircle gets patent approval for stevia extraction process
PureCircle produces Reb A, among other steviol glycosides – the sweet components from the leaves of the stevia plant – for commercial food and beverage manufacturers. The patent refers to the company’s extraction process.
CEO and managing director of PureCircle Magomet Malsagov said in a statement: “This patent underscores the strength of our R&D and operations teams as pioneers within the stevia industry. PureCircle’s ability to produce consistent, high quality product in large scale, continues to be a leading source of competitive advantage as it allows us to deliver on the expectations of the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers. We are pleased to be able to add this process and method patent to our growing portfolio of patents.”
The company has other patents relating to the extraction of Reb A, a high-purity, zero-calorie sweet component from the stevia plant, and it has another 49 pending in markets around the world, PureCircle said. This latest patent covers the isolation and purification of stevioside and rebaudioside A (Reb A).
The company told FoodNavigator-USA.com: “In order to improve the taste characteristics, the mixture of glycosides and highly purified stevioside and rebaudioside A are subjected to enzymatic glycosylation using biocatalysts produced by original microorganisms.”
The patent is due to expire in 2025.
“On issuance of this US patent, it will provide the company with strong competitive advantage and protections across PureCircle’s portfolio of high purity stevia products,” the company said.
PureCircle said patent protection for its processes is important to protect and leverage its intellectual property.
