Advanced Stevia Sweetener Extraction & Solubility Tech

The original patent, 'Highly soluble stevia sweetener', disclosed a process for preparing highly soluble individual or combined sweet glycosides from a Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant extract. However, the original process has limitations, such as low solubility and inefficient preparation methods. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing novel methods and systems that enhance the solubility and efficiency of Stevia sweetener preparation.

The present invention introduces several novel and non-obvious features, including the use of a solvent ratio of at least 2:1 with the crystalline Rebaudioside A powder, the addition of a solubility enhancer, and the use of a controlled temperature and pressure mixing process. These features provide a significant enhancement in solubility and efficiency compared to the original patent, and are not obvious to those skilled in the art.

Alternative embodiments of the invention may include varying the ratio of solvent to crystalline Rebaudioside A powder, using different solubility enhancers, or modifying the mixing process. Additionally, the invention may be adapted for use with different types of Stevia sweeteners or in combination with other sweetener preparation processes.

The present invention has significant commercial potential in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the production of low-calorie sweeteners and sugar substitutes. The enhanced solubility and efficiency of the Stevia sweetener preparation process may lead to increased adoption and market share in the growing market for natural sweeteners.