Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Saturday, Dec 14, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Saturday, Dec 14, 2002 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Alternative Medicines Paraguay's sweet herb may turn cane's rival L.N. Revathy
COIMBATORE, Dec. 13 THE sweet herb of Paraguay — Svetia rebaudiana Bertoni — is likely to emerge as a major source of high potency sweetener for the upcoming natural food sector in the future. With the demand increasing for high potency sweeteners worldwide, researchers are confident that this crop would pose a stiff competition to the traditional cane sugar. The herb, which is one of 154 members of the genus Stevia and one of the two that produce steviol glycosides (the sweetening agent) is native to Paraguay. The crop has been introduced in Brazil, Korea, Mexico, the US, Indonesia, Tanzania and Canada. Currently, China has taken up stevia production in a big way. Despite the extension in area, progress towards large-scale commercialisation of the crop or its mechanised production has been slow, largely due to difficulties in producing the crop, according to Dr N. Barathi, Director, Growmore Bio-Tech Pvt Ltd. He points out that in the absence of regulatory approvals essential for stevia sweeteners and the lack of standardisation in the quality of the herb extract, it would be difficult to make a dent. Stevia represents a new opportunity for researchers and farmers alike, Dr Barathi told Business Line. ``Since markets exist for stevia now, production and optimisation must occur in parallel,'' he said and pointed out that the leaves of this perennial herb tasted 30 times sweeter than cane sugar and was also found to be calorie-free. Yet stevia sweeteners were not found in mainstream food products in most countries of the world, he observed. According to him, this herbal extract could be used by the calorie-conscious in various formulations and preparations including bakery products. ``It can be used to treat ailments including diabetes, digestive disorders, addiction, skin defects etc. There are a couple of units using this sweetener, but then they are presently importing it from China,'' he added. Stating that the usage of this sweetener was still at a nascent stage in India, he emphasised the need for popularising the cultivation technique. ``The task at hand is to convert stevia from a wild plant to a modern crop well suited to efficient mechanised production. Understanding the biology of stevia and the chemistry and biochemistry of the glycosides are prerequisites for its conversion into a modern crop,'' Dr Barathi said. This shrubby perennial crop can be raised in pots, as kitchen garden and also as a commercial crop. Both clonal propagation and raising it from cuttings or seed was possible, he added. On an average, about 30,000-35,000 plants could be raised in an acre under intensive irrigation, he said and conceded that the cost of cultivation would work out to a high of Rs 3.5 lakhs/acre. Every kg of the leaf powder is quoting at Rs 350. ``While the initial cost of cultivation could be high, considering the potential and market for stevia sweetener, it would in due course be a money spinner,'' Dr Barathi added.
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