A group of CQUniversity academics are behind a new report on Further Development of the Stevia Natural Sweetener Industry, published by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).

Authors on the 125-page publication include current staff Professor David Midmore, Professor Kerry Walsh, Geeta Gautam and Kylie Hopkins, former doctoral researcher Ria Reyes and Honorary Research Fellow Andrew Rank.

LINK HERE for more on CQUni's leadership on the introduction of stevia natural sweetener

Kerry Walsh, Ria Reyes and David Midmore pictured in 2010 discussing Ria's research on the quality assurance of stevia

CQUniversity has previously shown leadership on this crop through a decade of research and submissions which gained approval for stevia as an ingredient in foods and beverages in Australia and New Zealand.

The publication says Stevia rebaudiana is a potential new crop for Australia. It contains in its leaves intense sweeteners called steviol glycosides. Currently there is no field production of Stevia rebaudiana in Australia and dried steviol glycosides are imported into Australia, mainly from China.

The report is targeted at those who will be involved in the development of a new industry, the production and processing of steviol glycoside from the plant species Stevia rebaudiana.

The latest research provides information on the response of the Stevia rebaudiana plant to the growing environment, in terms of yield and steviol glycoside (the sweetener component).

Professor Midmore says stevia is an exciting new product which should be a winner for everyone:-

• - A safe low-calorie sweetener which could enable many mainstream products to be suitable for all diabetics.
• - A sweetener that is not bad, but good, for your teeth and general health.
• - One that can be used by the organic food industry.
• - A new high-value crop for irrigation farmers that has a very mild/low environmental footprint - low or no chemical use and low fertilizer needs.