There are several variations on extraction and purification technologies for producing high-purity Reb A and other stevia extracts. PureCircle said these latest patents cover a range of processes and methods that pre-date other published patents for manufacturing processes and product applications related to commercial production of high purity stevia extracts, and date back to December 21, 2004.
The new patents cover the technologies that can be used to manufacture high purity steviol glycoside extract SG95 as well as other sweet components, including stevioside and Reb A, the company said. PureCircle said that these elements could not be produced on a commercial scale with earlier technologies.
PureCircle CEO Magomet Malsagov said in a statement: "The publication of these patents confirms clearly our prior science across the high purity stevia industry and underpins our global market leadership. The USA patent grant is a strong endorsement in PureCircle as the right partner of choice for our strategic customers and sugar partners. PureCircle continues to invest in the science of high purity stevia and we have a strong portfolio of applications in development."
The company added that the approval of the new patents gives it “a strong position to operate freely with its market pioneering processes and defend its patents against any potential infringements across all aspects of the high purity stevia industry.”