Glucosylated steviol glycosides
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Description
The food additive E960D, known as glucosylated steviol glycosides, is a high-intensity sweetener of natural origin. It belongs to the family of steviol glycosides, extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant, native to Paraguay and Brazil. Unlike other stevia sweeteners such as E960a (stevioside) or E960c (rebaudioside A), E960D is produced through an enzymatic glucosylation process that modifies the structure of natural steviol glycosides to improve its flavor profile and solubility.
Industrially, it starts from purified stevia extracts containing stevioside and rebaudiosides. These undergo a transglucosylation reaction using enzymes such as glucosyltransferase, which adds glucose units to the molecule, resulting in a mixture of glucosylated steviol glycosides with higher molecular weight and improved water solubility. The final product is a white or slightly yellowish powder, highly soluble in water, with a sweetening power 200 to 300 times that of sugar (sucrose). Its flavor profile is cleaner and less bitter than other unmodified steviol glycosides, making it especially useful in applications where the typical metallic or bitter aftertaste of stevia is to be reduced.
The history of its approval in the European Union dates back to 2011, when the European Commission authorized the use of steviol glycosides (E960) as a sweetener. Subsequently, in 2017, E960D was specifically included following a favorable evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 4 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed in steviol equivalents, which is the same for all authorized steviol glycosides. The World Health Organization (WHO), through the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), has also evaluated these compounds and set the same ADI.
Regarding food safety, numerous toxicological studies, including carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and reproduction studies, have not shown significant risks at authorized doses. E960D is not metabolized by the human body; it is excreted unchanged in urine and feces, contributing to its safety profile. On product labels, it must appear as "sweetener: glucosylated steviol glycosides" or "E960D".
It is important to note that although it is of natural origin, its glucosylation process classifies it as an enzymatically modified food additive, but not as an artificial sweetener. In summary, E960D is a safe, well-tolerated sweetener with an improved sensory profile, widely used in the food industry to reduce the caloric content of products.
E960D is used as a sweetener in a wide variety of food categories, according to Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 and its amendments. It is authorized in non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks, flavored waters, reduced-calorie juices), dairy products (yogurts, dairy desserts, ice cream), confectionery (chewing gum, sugar-free candies, chocolates), breakfast cereals, fine bakery products, sauces, condiments, and food supplements.
In the Spanish market, it is commonly found in light or zero soft drinks (such as Coca-Cola Zero, Pepsi Max), sweetened low-fat yogurts, sugar-free chewing gum (Orbit, Trident), and tabletop sweeteners (in sachets or liquid). Maximum usage levels vary by category; for example, in non-alcoholic beverages the limit is 80 mg/L (expressed in steviol equivalents), while in confectionery it can reach up to 1000 mg/kg. Comparatively, the US FDA has approved purified steviol glycosides (such as rebaudioside A) as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), but not specifically E960D, although as a glucosylated derivative, its use is permitted under the same consideration. In Japan, steviol glycosides have been used for decades as natural sweeteners, and E960D is accepted as a food ingredient.
It is important to note that E960D is not authorized in foods for infants and young children, nor in products that do not meet calorie reduction criteria.
Glucosylated steviol glycosides (E960D) have been thoroughly evaluated by EFSA and JECFA, concluding that they do not present significant adverse effects at authorized doses. Toxicological studies have shown no evidence of carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, or reproductive toxicity. In humans, documented side effects are rare and generally mild, mainly related to excessive consumption (well above the ADI). Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating or diarrhea due to fermentation of unabsorbed glycosides in the colon, although this is uncommon at usual doses. No significant allergic reactions have been reported.
The biological mechanism is simple: E960D is not digested or absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract; it passes intact to the colon where it is fermented by the microbiota, producing short-chain fatty acids and gases. This explains its zero caloric contribution and low glycemic impact. Sensitive populations: people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be more susceptible to gastrointestinal effects, but there are no specific contraindications. Drug interactions: no clinically relevant interactions are known.
EFSA and WHO have established an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight per day (expressed in steviol equivalents), which is widely safe even for regular consumers. In conclusion, E960D is considered safe for the general population, including diabetics and those seeking to reduce sugar consumption, provided legal usage limits are respected.
- Glucosyl steviol glycosides
- Glucosylated steviol glycosides
- Steviol glycosides glucosilados
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