Central Queensland University is at the forefront of research on the natural sweetener, Stevia rebaudiana.

The Centre for Plant and Water Science (CPWS) has been researching the natural sweetener, Stevia rebaudiana, since 1999, when it released a report, funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Centre, on the opportunities with this natural sweetener for Australia.

The CPWS lodged an application (A540) with Food Standards Australian New Zealand (FSANZ) in 2006 to have Steviol glycosides (extracted from the plant of Stevia rebaudiana) registered as an ‘intense sweetener'.

FSANZ has prepared a draft variation of a food regulatory measure, which is open for public submission before July 4 prior to Final Assessment.

Coincidently, at the end of May Cargill and Coca Cola announced a shake-up in the sweetener business, with a natural sweetener from Stevia rebaudiana, tentatively named ‘Rebiana'. This followed the announcement by NutraSweet C. and the American Sugar Refinery Inc. of their new sweetener, Domino Pure D/Lite.

Dr Dirk Reif, of the Research and Development Division of Cargill Sweetness Solutions, recently visited the CPWS to discuss various aspects of research and other developments with stevia, sandwiching the visit in between those to South Korea and China, both important suppliers of stevia worldwide.

The CPWS is undertaking analytical studies on quality and on how quality is affected by the influence of genetics and the growing environment.

Pictured are (from l to r): Ria Reyes (PhD student of CPWS), Andrew Rank (Honorary Fellow of CPWS), Dr Dirk Reif (Research and Development Division of Cargill Sweetness Solutions), Dr Andrew Fenning (School of Molecular and Life Sciences), Laurie Hearn (2006 Honours Student with CPWS), Professor David Midmore (Director, CPWS).