Methods for Purifying Steviol Glycosides and Uses of the Same

Abstract

Methods for purifying steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside X, are provided herein. Sweetener and sweetened containing Rebaudioside X are also provided herein. Methods of improving the flavor and/or temporal profile of sweetenable compositions, such as beverages, are also provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A beverage comprising Reb X having the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein Reb X is provided in mixture of steviol glycosides in the range of about 60% to about 99% by weight on a dry basis. 
       
     
     
         26 . The beverage of  claim 25 ,
 wherein Reb X is present in a concentration from about 50 ppm to about 600 ppm.   
     
     
         27 . The beverage of  claim 25 ,
 wherein Reb X is present in an effective amount to provide a sucrose equivalence of greater than about 10%.   
     
     
         28 . The beverage of  claim 25 , further comprising at least one additional sweetener. 
     
     
         29 . The beverage  claim 25 , further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, poly-amino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their corresponding salts, nucleotides, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts including organic acid salts and organic base salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants and flavoring ingredients, astringent compounds, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, polymers and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The beverage of  claim 25 , further comprising at least one functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of saponins, antioxidants, dietary fiber sources, fatty acids, vitamins, glucosamine, minerals, preservatives, hydration agents, probiotics, prebiotics, weight management agents, osteoporosis management agents, phytoestrogens, long chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohols, phytosterols and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 .- 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A beverage comprising Reb X as the sole sweetener. 
     
     
         37 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A beverage comprising:
 Reb X, wherein Reb X is provided in a mixture of steviol glycoside in the range of about 60% to about 99% by weight on a dry basis;   at least one additive selected from the group consisting of polyols, amino acids, salts, carbohydrates, nucleotides, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts including organic acid salts and organic base salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants and flavoring ingredients, astringent compounds, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, polymers and combinations thereof; and   optionally at least one additional sweetener and/or at least one functional ingredient.   
     
     
         41 . The beverage of  claim 40 , wherein the additive is a polyol. 
     
     
         42 . The beverage of  claim 41 , wherein the polyol is erythritol. 
     
     
         43 . The beverage of  claim 42 , wherein the weight ratio of Reb X to erythritol is from about 1:1 to about 1:800. 
     
     
         44 . The beverage of  claim 40 , wherein Reb X is present in a concentration from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. 
     
     
         45 . The beverage of  claim 40 , wherein the additive is an amino acid. 
     
     
         46 . The beverage of  claim 45 , wherein the amino acid is present in a concentration from about 10 ppm to about 50,000 ppm and the Reb X is present in a concentration from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. 
     
     
         47 . The beverage of  claim 40 , wherein the additive is a salt. 
     
     
         48 . The beverage of  claim 47 , wherein the salt is present in an amount from about 25 ppm to about 25,000 ppm and the Reb X is present in a concentration from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. 
     
     
         49 . A beverage comprising a sweetener composition, wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and a compound selected from the group consisting of Reb A, Reb B, Reb D, NSF-02, Mogroside V, erythritol and combinations thereof,
 wherein Reb X is provided in a mixture of steviol glycosides in the range of about 60% to about 99% by weight on a dry basis.   
     
     
         50 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and Reb A. 
     
     
         51 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and Reb B. 
     
     
         52 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and NSF-02. 
     
     
         53 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and Mogroside V. 
     
     
         54 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and erythritol. 
     
     
         55 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and Reb A. 
     
     
         56 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X and Reb D. 
     
     
         57 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X, Reb A and Reb D. 
     
     
         58 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the sweetener composition comprises Reb X, Reb B and Reb D. 
     
     
         59 . The beverage of  claim 49 , wherein the pH of the beverage is from about 2.5 to about 4.2.