Optimization of the Microwave Assisted Extraction and Its Comparison with Different Conventional Extraction Methods for Isolation of Stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana

Abstract

Stevioside is a natural acaloric stevioside being extracted from Stevia rebaudiana but 150-200 times sweeter than sucrose. In present study a comparison was made between conventional methods of extraction i.e., soxhlet extraction and cold maceration and modern method of extraction i.e., microwave assisted extraction for the rapid and efficient extraction of stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana. It was found that microwave assisted extraction gave the maximum amount of stevioside (0.7658 mg/g of dry leaf powder) while using lesser time of extraction (120 seconds) with a little amount of solvent used (10 mL/g). Another advantage of the method was the maximum quantity of stevioside was obtained from water which is an environment friendly solvent.