Steviol Glycosides, Their Compositions and Their Purification

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to steviol glycosides, as well as compositions comprising such steviol glycosides. The present invention further extends to methods of preparing and purifying such steviol glycosides and methods for enhancing the flavor or sweetness of consumables using these steviol glycosides and compositions. The present invention extends to consumables comprising steviol glycosides, where the such steviol glycosides are present in a concentration at or below their sweetness recognition threshold, and wherein such steviol glycosides enhance the sweetness of the consumable.

1 .- 87 . (canceled) 
     
     
         88 . A compound selected from the following: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         89 . A composition comprising a compound selected from the following: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         90 . The composition of  claim 89 , further comprising steviol glycosides selected from the group consisting of a commercially available  stevia  extract; steviol glycosides prepared from plant material of the  Stevia rebaudiana  Bertoni plant, the by-product of another isolation and purification processes of steviol glycosides, stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside C, dulcoside A, rubusoside, steviolbioside, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside F, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         91 . The composition of  claim 89 , further comprising at least one additional sweetener. 
     
     
         92 . The composition of  claim 91 , wherein the at least one additional sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, inositol, AceK, aspartame, neotame, sucralose, saccharine, naringin dihydrochalcone (NarDHC), neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NDHC), rubusoside, mogroside IV, siamenoside I, mogroside V, trilobatin and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         93 . The composition of  claim 89 , 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. 
     
     
         94 . The composition of  claim 89 , 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. 
     
     
         95 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein the concentration of the compound is below the flavor recognition threshold concentration of the compound. 
     
     
         96 . The composition of  claim 95 , wherein the composition further comprises a flavor ingredient selected from vanillin, vanilla extract, mango extract, cinnamon, citrus, coconut, ginger, viridiflorol, almond, menthol (including menthol without mint), grape skin extract, and grape seed extract. 
     
     
         97 . A consumable comprising a compound selected from the following: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         98 . The consumable of  claim 97 , wherein the compound is present in a concentration of about 30 ppm. 
     
     
         99 . The consumable of  claim 97 , wherein the consumable is selected from a beverage and a beverage product. 
     
     
         100 . The consumable of  claim 97 , wherein the beverage is a carbonated beverage. 
     
     
         101 . The consumable of  claim 100 , wherein the carbonated beverage is selected from the group consisting of a soft drink, cola, lemon-lime flavored sparkline beverage, orange flavored sparkling beverage, grape flavored sparkling beverage, strawberry flavored sparkling beverage, pineapple flavored sparkling beverage, ginger-ale, root beer and malt beverage. 
     
     
         102 . The consumable of  claim 97 , w herein the beverage is a non-carbonated beverage. 
     
     
         103 . The consumable of  claim 102 , wherein the non-carbonated beverage is selected from the group consisting of fruit juice, fruit-flavored juice, juice drink, nectar, vegetable juice, vegetable-flavored juice, sports drink, energy drink, protein drink, enhanced water with vitamins, near water drink, coconut water, tea, coffee, cocoa drink, beverage containing milk components, beverage containing cereals extract, and smoothie. 
     
     
         104 . The consumable of  claim 97 , further comprising a sweetener. 
     
     
         105 . The consumable of  claim 104 , wherein the sweetener is a carbohydrate sweetener. 
     
     
         106 . The consumable of  claim 105 , wherein the carbohydrate sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, high fructose starch syrup, glucose syrup and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         107 . The consumable of  claim 99 , wherein the beverage is selected from a mid-calorie beverage, low-calorie beverage and zero-calorie beverage.