Stevia-EMAP

Techno-economic study on Stevia production
and development opportunities under Egyptian
conditions
Prof. Dr. Mostafa M.A. El-Kholi and Prof. Dr. Ayman M.H. Esh
mostafa.elkholi@yahoo.com & aymanesh@gmail.com

The sweet herb of Paraguay, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
produces an alternative sweetener (steviol glycosides) in
its leaves.
The advantage is that stevia
sweeteners are:
In addition, the sweet have functional
and sensory properties superior to
those of many other high potency
sweeteners.
Young stevia plant

The Guarani Indians of Paraguay had known
for centuries about the unique advantages
of kaa he-he (a native term which translates
as "sweet herb")
In 1887, Dr. Moises Santiago Bertoni,
director of the College of Agriculture in
Asuncion, first learned of what he
described as "this very strange plant"
from Indian guides while exploring
Paraguay's eastern forests.
Dr. Moises S. Bertoni,
Director of the College of
Agriculture in Asuncion
Guarani Indians

Bertoni subsequently announced his
discovery of the "new species" in a botanical
journal published in Asuncion.
He wrote, "one is surprised at the
strange and extreme sweetness
contained therein. A fragment of the
leaf only a few square millimeters in
size suffices to keep the mouth sweet
for an hour; a few small leaves are
sufficient to sweeten a strong cup of
coffee or tea."
.
The cover page of the
Dictionary of botany
where The first report of
stevia plant.

Stevia was first brought to the attention of
the U.S. government in 1918 for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
In France in 1931 that would later prove
significant. There, two chemists isolated
the most prevalent of several compounds
that give the stevia leaf its sweet taste, a
pure white crystalline extract they named
stevioside.

Today, the global interests in stevia has
increased and the spread of the stevia
phenomenon will not be limited to a certain
countries.
Stevia is cultivated and used in food
elsewhere in East Asia, including in China
(since 1984), Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, India
and Malaysia. It can also be found in Saint
Kitts and Nevis, in parts of South America
(Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and
Uruguay), and in Israel. China is the world's
largest exporter of Stevioside.

"Will sugar always be more
advantageous than Kaa-he-e? We
cannot suppose this. The superiority of
sugar as an energetic food will not be
contested, but this does not stop our
plant from being stronger as a
sweetener.
Moises N. Bertoni,
December 1905
" Kaa-he-e, Its Nature and Its Properties,

Fresh leaves: This is the simplest form of Stevia , in
Japan they may be purchased loose or in tea bags. They
are 15 to 30 times sweeter than sugar.
Dried leaves: They are 10 to 15 times sweeter than
sugar. They have the same uses as fresh leaves and to
extract the Stevioside.
Powdered or ground leaves: They can be
found in bulk form and in tea bags. used as a flavor
enhancer or sweetener in teas, salads, fruit, and coffee,
among others.
Byproducts (plant remains): The remaining
parts of the plant, including stems, seeds, flowers and even
leaves that were not classified for industrialization, are
collected and processed into animal feed or fertilizers .
as a mix with silage for animal food or to make a compost
to be use as a fertilizer.
Fresh stevia leaves
Dry stevia leaves
Ground stevia leaves

Stevia Liquid Extracts: These are
concentrated syrups made from the dried leaves
(dark liquid extracts) or from powdered Steviosides
(clear liquid extracts) in a base of water or alcohol.
Used for the sweetening of beverages.
Stevia Powders: Powdered Stevia extracts
with 40–50 percent Sweet glycosides (more than
100 times sweeter than sugar) and Powdered
Stevia extracts with 85–97 percent Sweet
glycosides (200-300 times sweeter than sugar).
Stevia liquid extracts
Stevia extracted powders

Increase energy
levels
Hypertension
Tonic for
pancreas
Benefits and
uses of Stevia
Calorie
free
Weight reduction
Antimicrobial and
anti-plaque
properties
Non-toxic

Food uses
Maximum use level
(mg Steviol glycosides/kg food)
Desserts 500
Cold confectionery 500
Pickles 1000
Sweetcorn 200
Biscuits 300
Breverages 500
Yogurt 500
Sauces 1000
Delicacies 1000
Bread 160

The global market for non-sugar sweeteners in 2011 was at about $9.2
billion and is expected to reach $9.3 billion in 2012. The market is expected
to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.1% and reach nearly
$9.9 billion by 2016. The North American market is estimated to reach
nearly $5.9 billion in 2012 and The European market represents the second
largest market category with the expected sale of nearly $1.9 billion in
2012.
North america Europe Rest of the world
Million USD
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
2009 2010 2011 2016
Sited from http://www.prlog.org/11726488-global-markets-for-non-sugar-sweeteners.html

Since the Stevia extract, Rebaudioside A (Reb-A), received
GRAS approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
on 17 December 2008 and the approval of the European
Commission on 2 December 2011 there have been several
hundred product launches by food and beverage companies .

Stevia’s status as a global ingredient was secured
with its incorporation into leading beverage
brands manufactured by Coca-Cola and Pepsi
companies in 2009.
Now, the world’s largest natural
sweetness agent market opened the
door, to the Stevia extract of Stevia
extract exports entering the
accelerated growth period.

ASIA PACIFIC
36%
OTHERS
1%
EUROPE
9%
NORTH
AMERICA
30%
Sited from
http://issuu.com/zenith_international/docs/stevia_report_sample
SOUTH
AMERICA
24%

(X 1000 ton)
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Zenith forecasts that the global market for stevia will reach 11,000 metric
tons by 2014, equivalent to US$825 million by value.
Sited from : http://issuu.com/zenith_international/docs/stevia_report_sample

Stevia stay in the field for several years (3 to 5)
years.
Stevia harvest 3 times a year under Egyptian
conditions
One Feddan of stevia produce 4 to 6 tons/year
(3 harvests) of Dry Leaves
The International price of dry leaves (≥ 10%
stevisoid) range from 2 to 4/ kg USD
International price of 97% stevasoid range from
100 to 150 USD/kg

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 TOTAL
Total costs/year (USD) 3061. 2611. 2611. 2611. 10896
AVERAGE PRODUCTION (TON)/YEAR 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 18
INTERNATIONAL PRICE (USD)/TON 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
TOTAL INCOME 9000 9000 9000 9000 36000
NET PROFIT 5938. 6388. 6388. 6388. 25103.
% OF PROFIT 193.9 244.6 244.6 244.6 230.3
Total costs/year (USD) 3061.667 2611.667 2611.667 2611.667 10896.67
AVERAGE PRODUCTION (TON)/YEAR 3 3 3 3 12
INTERNATIONAL PRICE (USD)/TON 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
TOTAL INCOME 6000 6000 6000 6000 24000
NET PROFIT 2938.333 3388.333 3388.333 3388.333 13103.33
% OF PROFIT 95.9 129.7 129.7 129.7 120.2
Total costs/year (USD) 3061.667 2611.667 2611.667 2611.667 10896.67
AVERAGE PRODUCTION (TON)/YEAR 2 2 2 2 8
INTERNATIONAL PRICE (USD)/TON 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
TOTAL INCOME (USD) 4000 4000 4000 4000 16000
NET PROFIT (USD) 938.3333 1388.333 1388.333 1388.333 5103.333
% OF PROFIT 30.6 53.1 53.1 53.1 46.8

From the current study we can notice that the major
costs are the field rent (5000 LE = 833$) and the
starter transplants (8000 LE = 1333$). From this
point, to reduce the production costs it is suggested
to focus on producing stevia in the new reclaimed
lands which will lead to reduce the rent cost from
30% to 50% . Also a system for producing stevia
seedlings (nurseries) to use as a starter transplants
should be introduced to the producers as a way to
reduce the starter material costs more than 50%.
One more advantage of cultivating stevia in new
reclaimed lands is the easy use of mechanization
and for setting up modified irrigation systems and
agriculture practices suitable for stevia.

• Stevia is an obligate short day plant with a critical day length of about
11-13 h. )
ديىسافيتسلاا عمجرت نم ديست و راهزلاا رخؤت راهنلا تارتف ةدايز و ) راهن هعاس 13-11(
ريصقلا راهنلا تاتابن نم
• Long‐days delay flowering and increase stevasoid accumulation.
Extensive variability within populations for day length sensitivity has
been reported.
Stevia belongs to:
Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons);
Order: Asterales,
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
) سمشلا دابع لثم
هبكرملا هلئاعلا
Stevia rebaudiana has many commonly
known Synonyms: Sweet herb, sweet
leaf, sugar leaf and honey leaf or simply
Stevia.
(

• The Root:
The root of stevia plant is fibrous, filamentary
and perennial, abundantly branched and
strain, distributed near the surface and is
the only organ of the plant that does not
contain stevioside.
حطس نم برقلاب هعزوم و هبعشتم ،ةرمعملاو ةيليتف ،هيفيل ايفيتسلاا تابن روذج
ديوسافيتسلاا ةدام يلع يوتحي لا يذلا تابنلا نم ديحولا زاهجلا يهو هبرتلا
هيلحملا.
Foliage
Stem
Root

• The stem:
Foliage
The stem is annual, sub-woody, more or less
pubescent, with a tendency to lean, is more
or less branched. During early development
does not have branches, becoming
multicaule after the first growing season
coming to produce up to 20 stems in 3 to 4
years. Under optimal conditions, the stem
can reach five feet in height.
Stem
Root

• The leaf:
The leaves are oval or elliptic lanceolate,
small, simple, toothed edge or margin,
sometimes in whorls, somewhat hairy.
The leaf is the organ with the highest
content of sweetener.
هننسم هريغص هيواضيب ةطيسب هقرو
Foliage
Stem
Root

• The Flowers:
Stevia classified as a short-day plant,
placing the critical photoperiod at
12 to 13 hours depending on the
ecotype.
The hermaphrodite flower is small, whitish, in
terminal or axillary short chapters, grouped in
corymbose panicles. A plant takes more than
a month to produce all their flowers. The
plant is self-incompatible sporophytic type
and classified as obligatory
apomictic, Pollination is by insects.
Flowers are hermaphrodite
, small, whitish, in terminal or axillary short
chapters, grouped in corymbose panicles
عيماجم يف ءاضيب يثنخ هريغص راهزلاا

The component glycosides
of particular interest for
stevia leaf sweetening
property are stevioside and
Reb A.
Powdered Stevia extracts
with 85–97 percent Sweet
glycosides (200-300 times
sweeter than sugar
(Sucrose).
Compound name R1 R2
Stevioside β-Glc β-Glc-β-Glc(2→1)
RebaudiosideA β-Glc β-Glc-β-Glc
I
β-Glc (3→1)
Rebaudioside C β-Glc
The seven specific steviol glycosides
β-Glc -α-Rha(2→1)
I
β-Glc (3→ 1)
Dulcoside A β-Glc β-Glc - α -Rha(2→l)
Rubusoside β-Glc β-Glc
Steviolbioside H β-Glc - β-Glc (2→1)
RebaudiosideB H β-Glc - β-Glc (2→1)
I
β-Glc (3→1)
*Steviol (RI = R2 = H) is the aglycone of the steviol glycosides. Glc and Rha
represent, respectively, glucose and rhamnose sugar moieties.

Always Keep In
Mind , We are
cultivating Stevia
for its leaves

• A variety of soil types, ranging from course
textured sands to well drained loamsare suitable
for growing stevia.
but not heavy clay or poorly drained sites,
• Stevia requires very good drainage system,
• Stevia can be grown on a wide range of soil with
pH range from 6 up to 9.
• soil should not be saline.
Soil type:
• Soils with very heavy clay content or high pH
should also be treated or avoided.
Before planting, each and every
soil sample should be properly
tested and analyzed by an expert.

• Climate:
• The plant is climatically suited to climates from
temperate to sub-tropical where temperatures
range between 21-43°C, with an average of
24°C,
• During the growing season, it
seems to thrive in a temperature
range of 15 °C to 34°C provided all
input resources and good
management practices are
incorporated.

• Plant Varieties:
• There are many of Stevia rebaudiana
varieties developed all around the world.
These varieties have been developed
for different climate requirements, and
Stevioside and rebaudioside content
• The minimum market requirement of
Stevioside and rebaudioside is 9%.
• The grower should select proper
varieties with adequate guarantees from
the planting material suppliers about
minimum assured stevioside and
rebaudioside contents.

• Planting:
• The types of agronomic practices
generally depend on type of soil and
climate conditions.
Generally it is advisable to plant
minimum of 30.000 to 40,000 plants per
feddan.
• Since the economical part is the leaves,
it is very important to achieve highest
vegetative growth.

• Planting:
Transplants from cuttings would be
superior when enough stocks of stem
cuttings are available. Cuttings may
form roots without any treatment but it
is better to be treated with commercial
rooting hormones IBA before
cultivation.
Stevia tip cuttings propagate in plug
trays placed in a greenhouse for a
period of 7 to 8 weeks before moving to
the field.

• Planting:
• A suitable alternative method to prepare
sufficient amount of plants within short
time duration is the use of In vitro
cultures. The micropropagation of
plants through shoot tip or axillary bud
culture allows recovery of genetically
stable and true to type progeny. Stevia
can form multiple shoots from nodal
explants, which are convenient type of
culture for culturing on large scale.

• Appropriate planting time:
Transplanting the plantlets is applied
and planting on Feb. at the ideal
temperature degree as in this
month, the absent plants are the
least than in other months.

• Land preparation:
• Land should be ploughed initially with a disc plough or harrowed
to break down the colds.
• Around 25 MT of farmyard
manure /Feddan has to be
applied.
• Leaser leveling the field help
plants to grow and utilize
irrigation water.

• Raised bed preparation:
• Forming raised beds is the most economical way to grow
Stevia. The raised bed should be of 15 cm in height and 60 cm
in width.
The distance between each
plant 20 - 25cm. This would
give a plant population of
around 30,000 per feddan.

• Irrigation:
• Stevia requires ample supply of good water all year around. As
the plant cannot tolerate drought, It is recommended to have drip
irrigation or Micro sprinklers for better results. Frequent irrigation
is required, so through micro sprinklers, the water can be
sprinklers, the water can be sprinkled once in a day in winter and
two to four times in a day in summer depending upon the heat
and relative humidity in the air.

• Pinching tips:
Since Stevia has a significant apical dominance,
the plant tends to grow tall and lanky.
Pinching out the tips of the plants about
every 3-4 weeks for first 1-2 months after
transplanting in the feild. This will encourage
side branching

• Fertilizer application:
• Balanced, slow release organic fertilizer
or manure, which is tilled into the soil
before planting, provides the ideal
nutrition.
•The recommended dose of fertilizer is
110:45:45 NPK/feddan/year.

• Weeding:
Removal of weeds can be done manually. Since the crop is grown
in raised beds, intercultural operations are easier by manual
labour.
• Plastic mulch can be an effective means of controlling weeds if it
can cover more of the planted and interrow areas.

• Weeding:
Herbicides such as Pendimethalin [N-(1-Ethylpropyl)-3,4dimethyl-2,6-dinitro-benzenamine;3,4-Dimethyl-2,6-dinitro-N-(1
ethylpropyl)aniline] and Bromacil [5-bromo-6-methyl-3-(1methylpropyl)-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione]
have been reported
high effective in controlling stevia annual grasses and certain
broadleaf weeds.

• Harvesting:
• Timing of harvest is an important aspect of harvesting. It should
be noted that at no point of time plants should be allowed to
flower since after flowering the Stevioside percentage goes down
rapidly and leaves are rendered unmarketable.
The first harvesting can be done four
to five months after planting (three
months after transplanting).
Subsequent harvesting can be done
every three months, for three to five
consecutive years

Harvesting:
• Harvesting should be done as late as possible.
• Following harvest the whole plant is dried and the leaves
separated from the stems for further processing.
• If cut plant material is not dried quickly
leaf quality can deteriorate by oxidation,
losing up to one third of stevioside
content after three days.
A green dried leaf colour
is desirable and
represents good quality.

Crushing:
• After drying, leaves are stripped from the
stems by hand or a mechanical
thrasher/separator before leaves are packed
for transport to a processing facility.
Crushing the dried leaves is the final step in
releasing Stevia’s sweetening power. The
dried leaves are powdered, sieved and the
fine powder is stored in containers.

Pests and Diseases:
• Diseases do not appear to be a major
problem to stevia, although there are reports
claiming to record the first known incidence
of Sclerotinia, leaf-spot Septoria , black-spot,
Alternaria, Botrytis, Fusarium (wilt),
Sclerotinia rolfsii (‘white silk’ round the plant
stem) and Rhizoctonia (stem spots and
wilting of leaves).

Pests and Diseases:
• Stevia is usually the last plant insects will
feed on. The plant’s sweetness seems to
provide a kind of natural defense against
aphids, grasshoppers and other bugs. Some
stevia varieties may be attacked by aphids,
white fly and leaf cutters but not cause a
serious economic damage to the plants.
Aphids
نملا ةرشح
Grasshoppers
طاطنلا ةرشح
Mole cricket
رافحلا ةرشح
White fly
ءاضيبلا هبابذلا

The use of dried leaves (pieces or powdered) is not
unacceptable in cooking and does leave a sediment in clear
drinks etc and can also leave a green colour in addition to
the unpleasant aroma associated with the dried leaves.
Appropriate processing of the dry leaves can remove this
aroma which is due to specific leaf compounds (not
steviosides).

Methanol appears to be used in most extraction and
purification processes in Japan, presumably to improve
extraction efficiency and facilitate the separation of individual
steviosides.
More recent processing methods using water filtration
procedures do not use methanol and so produce a more
‘natural’ product. Newer factories in Brazil, China and India use
water only extraction procedures and claim 96% purity of
product.

Purified Water
In brief, steviol glycosides are obtained by the
extraction of stevia leaves with water. Leaves from
different varieties of stevia plants are used for
stevioside and rebaudioside A production. Ferric
chloride and calcium hydroxide are added to the extract
solution to facilitate precipitation. The extraction
solution is passed through plate filtration followed by
adsorption onto resin; the glycosides are subsequently
eluted with ethanol. The solution is decolored with
active carbon and concentrated with film evaporators. It
is again decolored with active carbon and filtered. The
concentrate is spray dried to obtain the primary stevia
extracts rich in stevioside or rebaudioside A. Meaning?
Stevia Leaves
With STV≥45% contents
Water Extraction
Precipitation
Filter
Ion Exchange
Decoloring with active carbon
Concentration
Decoloring with active carbon
Sterile Filtration
Spray drying
Packing
Process Flow
Diagram for
stevia Extract
Quality control

Process Flow
Diagram for
Purification
These extracts obtained from the first
extraction are further processed to obtain the
high purity stevioside and rebaudioside A.
Dissolving materials
Crystalization
Filtration
Dissolving crystal
Concentration
Sterile Filtration
Spray drying
Packing
Storage