STEVIA PROTEIN

Abstract

The invention relates to a Stevia protein obtained from Stevia plant material, and to a process for obtaining protein from Stevia plant material. The invention is directed to obtaining protein from Stevia rebaudiana plants, commonly referred to as simply “Stevia,” specifically the vegetative parts of the plant including the leaves and stems.

Claims

1. A Stevia protein obtained from Stevia plant material.

2. The Stevia protein of claim 1, wherein the Stevia plant material is vegetative Stevia material.

3. A method for making a Stevia protein, comprising the steps of: a. Providing Stevia plant material; and b. Extracting protein from the Stevia plant material.

4. A method for making a Stevia protein, comprising the steps of: a. Providing Stevia plant material; b. Subjecting the Stevia plant material to microbial treatment to produce protein; and c. Separating the protein from the Stevia plant material.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The protein from Stevia rebaudiana plants can be obtained in many ways from the vegetative Stevia material, such as by extraction, or as a substrate for microbial fermentation. Obtaining protein from the vegetative Stevia material provides a valuable use of the material. In certain embodiments, steviol glycosides are first extracted from the Stevia plant leaves, and then the remaining vegetative Stevia material is processed to obtain Stevia. In other embodiments, vegetative Stevia material is used directly to obtain protein, without extracting steviol glycosides from the leaves. Any method that can be used to obtain protein from vegetative plant material is contemplated by this invention. For example, any method to produce leaf protein concentrate is contemplated.

[0015] The vegetative Stevia material can also be used as a feedstock for microorganisms capable of producing proteins. Examples of such microorganisms include but are not limited to Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, Aspergillus species, Trichoderma species, Myceliopthora thermophila, Baculovirus-infected cells, Leishmania species, Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus sp., Saccharomyces sp., Lactobacillus sp., Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces bulardii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and the like. This invention further contemplates the use of cell-free systems for producing proteins, using RNA polymerase, ribosomes, tRNA and ribonucleotides obtained from microbial cells. Any cellular or cell-free process to produce proteins is contemplated by this invention.

[0016] The preparation of feedstock using Stevia plant materials is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,530,527 and 9,771,434, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0017] The Stevia protein thus obtained may optionally be further processed for purification, drying, decolorizing, and the like, and may be delivered in various forms, such as a powder, liquid, gel, granules, tablet, capsule, caplet, wafer, agglomerates, and the like.

[0018] The Stevia protein thus obtained can be used in many ways, including as a food ingredient, a flavor, a consumable, a nutraceutical, a dietary supplement, a coating, a cosmetic preparation, a pharmaceutical preparation, a healthcare product, a processing aid such as a catalyst, and the like. The Stevia protein may be combined with any other material in any form to make a composition. Any conventional use of proteins is contemplated by this invention.

[0019] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the invention scope is not so limited. Alternative embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Such alternate embodiments are considered to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is described by the appended claims and is supported by the foregoing description.