Dive Brief:
- PureCircle announced it will receive a U.S. patent related to the use of Rebaudioside M (Reb M) in beverages.
- Reb M is a steviol glycoside extracted from the stevia leaf. PureCircle is a major producer of stevia ingredients and holds more than 60 other stevia-related patents.
- "Combined with investments in supply chain and traditional plant breeding programs, this demonstrates the viability of stevia from natural sources as the next mainstream sweetener in food and beverage products globally," said CEO Magomet Malsagov.
Dive Insight:
PureCircle isn't the only company using Reb M. In early October, Cargill announced EverSweet, a zero-calorie sweetener expected to be available in 2016. EverSweet contains Reb M and Reb D, another stevia leaf extract. Cargill worked with its partner Evolva for almost ten years to isolate Reb D and Reb M for the new sweetener.
GLG Life Tech Corporation announced at the end of September that the company had used its non-GMO patented breeding methodology to develop a new strain of Reb D seedling. The new seedling contains significantly higher levels of Reb D and Reb M than conventional stevia leaf.