Industrial biotechnology company located c-LEcta, who are based in Leipzig, Germany and an unnamed leading ingredient company have developed process to expand production of plant-based sweetener with a sugar-like taste. The process is based on enzymatic treatment of precursors of these sweeteners and, according to c-LEcta, now makes it possible to efficiently convert the precursors into a better tasting sweetener.

These sweeteners are said to be safe and suitable for diabetics, while the cultivation is claimed to be more sustainable due to the smaller use of resources required in the process.

The enzyme process helps to provide the food and beverage industry with greater supply of great-tasting, plant-based sweeteners, according to the company, helping to enable production of zero-calorie soft drinks sweetened 100% with plant-based sweeteners. The enzyme technology made in Germany has been incorporated at commercial scale and is said to have the potential to enable c-LEcta’s partner to decisively change the world market for natural sweeteners. The sweetener produced via this process is USA FDA GRAS which means it is available for use by food and beverage companies in the USA.

"We are very proud of what we have achieved in the framework of this close cooperation. We have already expanded our enzyme production capacities and are confident that together with our partner we will be able to provide the required quantities for large-scale use of the sweetener in the food and beverage industry,” said Dr. Marc Struhalla, c-LEcta's CEO. "The commercialization harbours the potential to prospectively take our sales to a new level and expands our existing product portfolio".