A preliminary study of Stevia rebaudiana leaves batch extraction using variable type of solvents and extraction temperature

Abstract

Chandra A. 2015. A preliminary study of Stevia rebaudiana leaves batch extraction using variable type of solvents and extraction temperature. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1 (1): 114-119. Total demand for sweeteners in Indonesia leads to the increasing import of sugar cane and increasing use of artificial sweeteners. The Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves is a natural sweetener of which sweetness level exceeds 300 times more than that of sugar cane. Due to its health safe benefits and easy cultivation, S. rebaudiana potentially offers an alternative product for sweeteners, replacing artificial ones which have adverse health effects. Stevia leaves contain many of glycosides, predominantly stevioside and rebaudioside-A that give the sweet taste. Stevia plants are commonly harvested at 40-60 days before the flowering stage because, at this stage, stevioside reaches a maximum level. These are the benefits of Stevia, i.e., low-calorie level, high-temperature resistant, lowering blood pressure, having no dental caries, safe for infants and pregnant women, can kill germs in the mouth, and containing antioxidants. This study was conducted using solid-liquid batch extraction method by dispersion contact with solvents. It was started with pre-treatment of Stevia leaves including washing, drying, trimming, and grinding. The leaves were extracted with different types of solvent (methanol, ethanol, and aquadest) and extraction temperature (45°C, 50°C, and 55°C). Parameters measured were water content, ash content, stevioside content, HPLC analysis, and FTIR. The study showed that ethanol yielded the highest extraction result, while aquadest yielded the highest stevioside content. The higher the temperature, the greater the yield of the extract obtained, as well as the higher ash content.