Andrew Rank has been pivotal to the global acceptance of steviol glycosides as natural intense sweeteners which provide considerable health benefits including reduced obesity and a diabetic-acceptable sweetener.

The leading agricultural consultant was recognised through conferral of the degree of Honorary Doctor of Applied Science at CQUniversity's recent Rockhampton Campus graduation ceremony.

Andrew Rank is recognised through conferral of the degree of Honorary Doctor of Applied Science

The award citation notes that Mr Rank has engaged in a diverse range of activities focusing on land management and crop development activities both nationally and internationally in Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand, Iran, Bahrain and Burma.

"Since 1999 he has been professionally involved as an Honorary Research Fellow with the University's Centre for Plant and Water Science in two major, and very topical, areas," the citation notes. "The first in developing a feasibility plan for the production of charcoal and energy from green-waste for the Rockhampton Regional Council and the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund; and the second in the promotion and development of a new commodity, a group of natural sweeteners known as steviol glycosides from the plant Stevia rebaudiana, which have significant applications in the food industry and to which multiple health benefits have been attributed."

The citation notes that, over almost a decade, Mr Rank amassed a body of data supporting the approval of steviol glycosides as intense sweeteners.

"This ‘calorie free' sweetener is completely safe for use by all consumers including diabetics, which was demonstrated in hundreds of trials carried out in many countries.  The results from these trials were a key factor in the approval by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.  Subsequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved steviol glycosides as ‘generally recognised as safe'.

"Andrew Rank's ... knowledge of the species has led him to guide research that has developed a broader understanding of the sweeteners, not only for their biological significance but also for measuring and raising concentrations in plants, both of which are important for the new industry."