Preperation of Steviol with Specific Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Stevioside Using b-Galactosidase From Sulfolobus Solfataricus

Abstract: Steviol is a rare component in extract of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves, which could be prepared by acidic hydrolysis or enzymatic hydrolysis of stevioside. b-Galactosidase from sulfolobus solfataricus was found to hydrolyze all the glycosidic bonds of St. The highest St conversion reached 99.0% in 6h with steviol as the only product. By contrast, the mixture of steviol and isosteviol was obtained by HCl hydrolysis. Therefore, enzymatic hydrolysis of stevioside by b-galactosidase from sulfolobus solfataricus is a efficient process for selective preparation of steviol.