METHOD FOR PREPARING ORGANIC STEVIOSIDES FROM STEVIA

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for the purifying extraction of the natural steviosides contained in plants of the genus Stevia, principally in the aboveground parts, which uses calcium bicarbonate in the extraction or subsequent purification. The extraction and partial purification of steviosides, i.e. the preparation of steviosides of the most selective form possible, is achieved in an aqueous medium and under conditions of controlled pH by means of the use of a high-efficiency auxiliary reagent of calcium bicarbonate and overpressure extraction with carbon dioxide, and sometimes, with the help of an inert gas, thus preparing a type of selective extract that reduces and greatly facilitates the subsequent usual processes of purification of steviosides.