DSM announces fermentation-based sweetener platform
DSM, the global life sciences and materials sciences company, has announced that it is well on its way to build a high intensity sweetener platform based on fermentation. DSM states that as the global consumption of Stevia as a sweetener is rapidly growing, it’s time for the introduction of steviol glycosides produced through fermentation, a sustainable, efficient and cost effective process, to meet market growth.
The demand for low or reduced-calorie food products has soared over the last years and food and beverage companies are looking for more flexible and versatile ways to reduce calories in their products without compromising on taste. DSM’s sweetener platform will provide a range of stevia molecules and similar sweeteners based on evolving market demands.
Hans Christian Ambjerg, president of DSM Food Specialties, comments, “DSM’s innovation strategy is focused on helping the food industry create better quality and better tasting products that are at the same time affordable and sustainable. Our fermentation-based sweetener platform is a prime example of this, helping the food industry tailor sweet taste in an efficient and predictable way. We are confident of DSM’s ability to provide stevia extract at a competitive offer with the promise of quality, sustainability, safety and reliability coming directly from our facilities.”
Steviol glycosides are the sweet-tasting molecules present in Stevia leaves. Producing steviol glycosides via fermentation processes has several advantages; it can be produced anywhere in the world very efficiently and the process utilises fewer raw materials, requires less arable land and consumes less water. It also offers food and beverage producers the customisation to adjust the taste and calorie content they want to differentiate in their markets.
