WO2018213290A1

WO2018213290A1 - High-purity steviol glycosides

Info

Publication number: WO2018213290A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/032737
Authority: WO
Inventors: Avetik Markosyan
Original assignee: Purecircle Usa Inc.
Priority date: 2017-05-15
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2018-11-22

Abstract

Methods of preparing highly purified steviol glycosides, particularly rebaudiosides M, D, E and I are described. The methods include utilizing enzyme preparations and recombinant microorganisms for converting various staring compositions to target steviol glycosides. The highly purified rebaudiosides are useful as non-caloric sweetener in edible and chewable compositions such as any beverages, confectioneries, bakery products, cookies, and chewing gums.

Description

HIGH-PURITY STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a process for preparing compositions comprising steviol glycosides, including highly purified steviol glycoside compositions.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The text file entitled "PC_71PROV_Seq_Listing_ST25.txt," created on May 15, 2017, having 15 kilobytes of data, and filed concurrently herewith, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High intensity sweeteners possess a sweetness level that is many times greater than the sweetness level of sucrose. They are essentially non-caloric and are commonly used in diet and reduced-calorie products, including foods and beverages. High intensity sweeteners do not elicit a glycemic response, making them suitable for use in products targeted to diabetics and others interested in controlling for their intake of carbohydrates.

Steviol glycosides are a class of compounds found in the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a perennial shrub of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family native to certain regions of South America. They are characterized structurally by a single base, steviol, differing by the presence of carbohydrate residues at positions C 13 and CI 9. They accumulate in Stevia leaves, composing approximately 10% - 20% of the total dry weight. On a dry weight basis, the four major glycosides found in the leaves of Stevia typically include stevioside (9.1%), rebaudioside A (3.8%), rebaudioside C (0.6-1.0%) and dulcoside i (0.3%). Other known steviol glycosides include rebaudioside B, C, D, E, F and M, steviolbioside and rubusoside.

Although methods are known for preparing steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana, many of these methods are unsuitable for use commercially.

Accordingly, there remains a need for simple, efficient, and economical methods for preparing compositions comprising steviol glycosides, including highly purified steviol glycoside compositions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a process for preparing a composition comprising a target steviol glycoside by contacting a starting composition comprising an organic substrate with a microbial cell and/or enzyme preparation, thereby producing a composition comprising a target steviol glycoside.

The starting composition can be any organic compound comprising at least one carbon atom. In one embodiment, the starting composition is selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, polyols or sugar alcohols, various carbohydrates.

The target steviol glycoside can be any steviol glycoside. In one embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is steviolmonoside, steviolbioside, rubusoside, dulcoside B, dulcoside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside G, stevioside, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside /, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside J, rebaudioside M, rebaudioside M2, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside D2, rebaudioside N, rebaudioside O or a synthetic steviol glycoside.

In one embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside A.

In another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside E.

In still another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside D.

In another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside I.

In yet another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside M.

In some preferred embodiments enzyme preparation comprising one or more enzymes, or a microbial cell comprising one or more enzymes, capable of converting the starting composition to target steviol glycosides are used. The enzyme can be located on the surface and/or inside the cell. The enzyme preparation can be provided in the form of a whole cell suspension, a crude lysate or as purified enzyme(s). The enzyme preparation can be in free form or immobilized to a solid support made from inorganic or organic materials.

In some embodiments, a microbial cell comprises the necessary enzymes and genes encoding thereof for converting the starting composition to target steviol glycosides. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a process for preparing a composition comprising a target steviol glycoside by contacting a starting composition comprising an organic substrate with a microbial cell comprising at least one enzyme capable of converting the starting composition to target steviol glycosides, thereby producing a medium comprising at least one target steviol glycoside.

The enzymes necessary for converting the starting composition to target steviol glycosides include the steviol biosynthesis enzymes, UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) and/or UDP-recycling enzyme.

In one embodiment, the steviol biosynthesis enzymes include mevalonate (MVA) pathway enzymes.

In another embodiment, the steviol biosynthesis enzymes include non-mevalonate 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate pathway (MEP/DOXP) enzymes.

In one embodiment the steviol biosynthesis enzymes are selected from the group including geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, copalyl diphosphate synthase, kaurene synthase, kaurene oxidase, kaurenoic acid 13-hydroxylase (KAH), steviol synthetase, deoxyxylulose 5 -phosphate synthase (DXS), D-l-deoxyxylulose 5 -phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol synthase (CMS), 4- diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (CMK), 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C- methyl-D-erythritol 2,4- cyclodiphosphate synthase (MCS), l-hydroxy-2-methyl-2(E)- butenyl 4-diphosphate synthase (HDS), l-hydroxy-2-methyl-2(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate reductase (HDR), acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, truncated HMG-CoA reductase, mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase, mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase, cytochrome P450 reductase etc.

The UDP-glucosyltransferase can be any UDP-glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to the steviol and or steviol glycoside substrate to provide the target steviol glycoside.

In one embodiment, steviol biosynthesis enzymes and UDP-glucosyltransferases are produced in a microbial cell. The microbial cell may be, for example, E. coli, Saccharomyces sp., Aspergillus sp., Pichia sp., Bacillus sp., Yarrowia sp. etc. In another embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferases are synthesized. In one embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is selected from group including UGT74G1, UGT85C2, UGT76G1, UGT91D2 and UGTs having substantial (>85%, >86%, >87%, >88%, >89%, >90%, >91%, >92%, >93%, >94%, >95%, >96%,>97%, >98%, >99%) amino-acid sequence identity to these polypeptides as well as isolated nucleic acid molecules that code for these UGTs.

In one embodiment, steviol biosynthesis enzymes, UGTs and UDP-glucose recycling system are present in one microorganism (microbial cell). The microorganism may be for example, E. coli, Saccharomyces sp., Aspergillus sp., Pichia sp., Bacillus sp., Yarrow ia sp.

In one embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is any UDP-glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to rubusoside to form stevioside. In a particular embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGT91D2 or a UGT having >85% amino- acid sequence identity with UGT91D2.

In one embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is any UDP-glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to stevioside to form rebaudioside A. In a particular embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGT76G1 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGT76G1.

In another embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is any UDP- glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to rebaudioside A to form rebaudioside D. In a particular embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGT91D2 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGT91D2. In yet another embodiment the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGTSL2 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGTSL2.

In yet another embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is any UDP- glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to rebaudioside D to form rebaudioside M In a particular embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGT76G1 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGT76G1.

Optionally, the method of the present invention further comprises recycling UDP to provide UDP-glucose. In one embodiment, the method comprises recycling UDP by providing a recycling catalyst and a recycling substrate, such that the biotransformation of the steviol glycoside substrate to the target steviol glycoside is carried out using catalytic amounts of UDP-glucosyltransferase and UDP-glucose.

In one embodiment, the recycling catalyst is sucrose synthase.

In one embodiment, the recycling substrate is sucrose.

Optionally, the method of the present invention further comprises separating the target steviol glycoside from the medium to provide a highly purified target steviol glycoside composition. The target steviol glycoside can be separated by at least one suitable method, such as, for example, crystallization, separation by membranes, centrifugation, extraction, chromatographic separation or a combination of such methods.

In one embodiment, the target steviol glycoside can be produced within the microorganism. In another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside can be secreted out in the medium. In one another embodiment, the released steviol glycoside can be continuously removed from the medium. In yet another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is separated after the completion of the conversion reaction.

In one embodiment, separation produces a composition comprising greater than about 80% by weight of the target steviol glycoside on an anhydrous basis, i.e., a highly purified steviol glycoside composition. In another embodiment, separation produces a composition comprising greater than about 90% by weight of the target steviol glycoside. In particular embodiments, the composition comprises greater than about 95% by weight of the target steviol glycoside. In other embodiments, the composition comprises greater than about 99% by weight of the target steviol glycoside.

The target steviol glycoside can be in any polymorphic or amorphous form, including hydrates, solvates, anhydrous or combinations thereof.

Purified target steviol glycosides can be used in consumable products as a sweetener. Suitable consumer products include, but are not limited to, food, beverages, pharmaceutical compositions, tobacco products, nutraceutical compositions, oral hygiene compositions, and cosmetic compositions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One object of the invention is to provide an efficient biocatalytic method for preparing steviol glycosides, particularly stevioside, reb E, reb A, reb D, and reb M from various starting compositions.

As used herein, "biocatalysis" or "biocatalytic" refers to the use of natural or genetically engineered biocatalysis, such as enzymes, or cells comprising one or more enzyme, capable of single or multiple step chemical transformations on organic compounds. Biocatalysis processes include fermentation, biosynthesis, bioconversion and biotransformation processes. Both isolated enzyme, and whole-cell biocatalysis methods are known in the art. Biocatalyst protein enzymes can be naturally occurring or recombinant proteins.

As used herein, the term "steviol glycoside(s)" refers to a glycoside of steviol, including, but not limited to, naturally occurring steviol glycosides, e.g. steviolmonoside, steviolbioside, rubusoside, dulcoside B, dulcoside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside G, stevioside, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside /, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside J rebaudioside M, rebaudioside M2, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside D2, rebaudioside N, rebaudioside O, synthetic steviol glycosides, e.g. enzymatically glucosylated steviol glycosides and combinations thereof.

Starting Composition

As used herein, "starting composition" refers to any composition (generally an aqueous solution) containing one or more organic compound comprising at least one carbon atom.

In one embodiment, the starting composition is selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, polyols and various carbohydrates. The starting composition steviol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of steviolmonoside, steviolbioside, rubusoside, dulcoside B, dulcoside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside G, stevioside, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside i, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside J, rebaudioside M, rebaudioside M2, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside D2, rebaudioside N or rebaudioside O, or other glycoside of steviol occurring in Stevia rebaudiana plant.

In one embodiment, the starting composition steviol glycoside is stevioside.

In another embodiment, the starting composition steviol glycoside is rebaudioside

A.

In still another embodiment, the starting composition steviol glycoside is rebaudioside E.

I.

In yet another embodiment, the starting composition steviol glycoside is rebaudioside D.

The term "polyol" refers to a molecule that contains more than one hydroxyl group. A polyol may be a diol, triol, or a tetraol which contain 2, 3, and 4 hydroxyl groups, respectively. A polyol also may contain more than four hydroxyl groups, such as a pentaol, hexaol, heptaol, or the like, which contain 5, 6, or 7 hydroxyl groups, respectively. Additionally, a polyol also may be a sugar alcohol, polyhydric alcohol, or polyalcohol which is a reduced form of carbohydrate, wherein the carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone, reducing sugar) has been reduced to a primary or secondary hydroxyl group. Examples of polyols include, but are not limited to, erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol, threitol, galactitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced xylo- oligosaccharides, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, reduced glucose syrup, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzates, polyglycitols and sugar alcohols or any other carbohydrates capable of being reduced. The term "carbohydrate" refers to aldehyde or ketone compounds substituted with multiple hydroxyl groups, of the general formula (CH₂0)_n, wherein n is 3-30, as well as their oligomers and polymers. The carbohydrates of the present invention can, in addition, be substituted or deoxygenated at one or more positions. Carbohydrates, as used herein, encompass unmodified carbohydrates, carbohydrate derivatives, substituted carbohydrates, and modified carbohydrates. As used herein, the phrases "carbohydrate derivatives", "substituted carbohydrate", and "modified carbohydrates" are synonymous. Modified carbohydrate means any carbohydrate wherein at least one atom has been added, removed, or substituted, or combinations thereof. Thus, carbohydrate derivatives or substituted carbohydrates include substituted and unsubstituted monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. The carbohydrate derivatives or substituted carbohydrates optionally can be deoxygenated at any corresponding C-position, and/or substituted with one or more moieties such as hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, carboxyl, acyl, acyloxy, amino, amido, carboxyl derivatives, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfo, mercapto, imino, sulfonyl, sulfenyl, sulfinyl, sulfamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboxamido, phosphonyl, phosphinyl, phosphoryl, phosphino, thioester, thioether, oximino, hydrazino, carbamyl, phospho, phosphonato, or any other viable functional group provided the carbohydrate derivative or substituted carbohydrate functions to improve the sweet taste of the sweetener composition.

Examples of carbohydrates which may be used in accordance with this invention include, but are not limited to, tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, various cyclodextrins, cyclic oligosaccharides, various types of maltodextrins, dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono- lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), xylo-terminated oligosaccharides, gentio-oligosaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero-oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), starch, inulin, inulo- oligosaccharides, lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn syrups, coupling sugars, and soybean oligosaccharides. Additionally, the carbohydrates as used herein may be in either the D- or L-configuration.

The starting composition may be synthetic or purified (partially or entirely), commercially available or prepared.

In one embodiment, the starting composition is glycerol.

In another embodiment, the starting composition is glucose.

In still another embodiment, the starting composition is sucrose.

In yet another embodiment, the starting composition is starch.

In another embodiment, the starting composition is maltodextrin.

The organic compound(s) of starting composition serve as a substrate(s) for the production of the target steviol glycoside(s), as described herein.

Target Steviol Glycoside

The target steviol glycoside of the present method can be any steviol glycoside that can be prepared by the process disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of steviolmonoside, steviolbioside, rubusoside, dulcoside B, dulcoside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside G, stevioside, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside I, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside J, rebaudioside M, rebaudioside M2, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside D2, rebaudioside N or rebaudioside O, or other glycoside of steviol.

In one embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is stevioside. In another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside A (reb A). In still another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside E (reb E). In yet another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside I (reb I). In yet another embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside D (reb D). In a further embodiment, the target steviol glycoside is rebaudioside (reb M). The target steviol glycoside can be in any polymorphic or amorphous form, including hydrates, solvates, anhydrous or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a biocatalytic process for the production of reb D.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a biocatalytic process for the production of reb E.

In still another embodiment, the present invention is a biocatalytic process for the production of reb I.

In a further embodiment, the present invention is a biocatalytic process for the production of reb M.

Optionally, the method of the present invention further comprises separating the target steviol glycoside from the medium to provide a highly purified target steviol glycoside composition. The target steviol glycoside can be separated by any suitable method, such as, for example, crystallization, separation by membranes, centrifugation, extraction, chromatographic separation or a combination of such methods.

In particular embodiments, the process described herein results in a highly purified target steviol glycoside composition. The term "highly purified", as used herein, refers to a composition having greater than about 80% by weight of the target steviol glycoside on an anhydrous (dried) basis. In one embodiment, the highly purified target steviol glycoside composition contains greater than about 90% by weight of the target steviol glycoside on an anhydrous (dried) basis, such as, for example, greater than about 91 %, greater than about 92%, greater than about 93%, greater than about 94%, greater than about 95%, greater than about 96%, greater than about 97%, greater than about 98% or greater than about 99% target steviol glycoside content on a dried basis.

In one embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb M, the process described herein provides a composition having greater than about 90% reb M content by weight on a dried basis. In another particular embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb M, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 95% reb M content by weight on a dried basis. In another embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb I, the process described herein provides a composition having greater than about 90% reb / content by weight on a dried basis. In another particular embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb 7, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 95% reb / content by weight on a dried basis.

In yet another embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb D, the process described herein provides a composition greater than about 90% reb D content by weight on a dried basis. In another particular embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb

D, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 95% reb D content by weight on a dried basis.

In still another embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb E, the process described herein provides a composition greater than about 90% reb E content by weight on a dried basis. In another particular embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb

E, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 95% reb E content by weight on a dried basis.

In a further embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb A, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 90% reb A content by weight on a dried basis. In another particular embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is reb A, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 95% reb A content by weight on a dried basis.

In yet a further embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is stevioside, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 90% stevioside content by weight on a dried basis. In another particular embodiment, when the target steviol glycoside is stevioside, the process described herein provides a composition comprising greater than about 95% stevioside content by weight on a dried basis.

Microorganisms and enzyme preparations

In one embodiment of present invention, a microorganism (microbial cell) and/or enzyme preparation is contacted with a medium containing the starting composition to produce target steviol glycosides. The enzyme can be provided in the form of a whole cell suspension, a crude lysate, a purified enzyme or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the biocatalyst is a purified enzyme capable of converting the starting composition to the target steviol glycoside. In another embodiment, the biocatalyst is a crude lysate comprising at least one enzyme capable of converting the starting composition to the target steviol glycoside. In still another embodiment, the biocatalyst is a whole cell suspension comprising at least one enzyme capable of converting the starting composition to the target steviol glycoside.

In another embodiment, the biocatalyst is one or more microbial cells comprising enzyme(s) capable of converting the starting composition to the target steviol glycoside. The enzyme can be located on the surface of the cell, inside the cell or located both on the surface of the cell and inside the cell.

Suitable enzymes for converting the starting composition to target steviol glycosides include, but are not limited to, the steviol biosynthesis enzymes and UDP- glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Optionally it may include UDP recycling enzyme(s).

In one embodiment, the steviol biosynthesis enzymes are selected from the group including geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, copalyl diphosphate synthase, kaurene synthase, kaurene oxidase, kaurenoic acid 13-hydroxylase (KAH), steviol synthetase, deoxyxylulose 5 -phosphate synthase (DXS), D-l-deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol synthase (CMS), 4- diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (CMK), 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C- methyl-D-erythritol 2,4- cyclodiphosphate synthase (MCS), l-hydroxy-2-methyl-2(E)- butenyl 4-diphosphate synthase (HDS), l-hydroxy-2-methyl-2(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate reductase (HDR), acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, truncated HMG-CoA reductase, mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase, mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase, cytochrome P450 reductase etc. The UDP-glucosyltransferase can be any UDP-glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to the steviol and or steviol glycoside substrate to provide the target steviol glycoside.

In one embodiment, steviol biosynthesis enzymes and UDP-glucosyltransferases are produced in a microbial cell. The microbial cell may be, for example, E. coli, Saccharomyces sp., Aspergillus sp., Pichia sp., Bacillus sp., Yarrowia sp. etc. In another embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferases are synthesized.

In one embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is selected from group including UGT74G1, UGT85C2, UGT76G1, UGT91D2 and UGTs having substantial (>85%) amino-acid sequence identity to these polypeptides as well as isolated nucleic acid molecules that code for these UGTs.

In one embodiment, steviol biosynthesis enzymes, UGTs and UDP-glucose recycling system are present in one microorganism (microbial cell). The microorganism may be for example, E. coli, Saccharomyces sp., Aspergillus sp., Pichia sp., Bacillus sp., Yarrowia sp.

In another embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is any UDP- glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to rebaudioside A to form rebaudioside D. In a particular embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGT91D2 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGT91D2. In yet another embodiment the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGTSL2 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGTSL2. In a another embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase is EUGT1 1 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with EUGT11. In yet another embodiment the UDP-glucosyltransferase is UGTSL2 or a UGT having >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGTSL2.

Optionally, the method of the present invention further comprises recycling UDP to provide UDP-glucose. In one embodiment, the method comprises recycling UDP by providing a recycling catalyst and a recycling substrate, such that the biotransformation of the steviol glycoside substrate to the target steviol glycoside is carried out using catalytic amounts of UDP-glucosyltransferase and UDP-glucose. The UDP recycling enzyme can be sucrose synthase and the recycling substrate can be sucrose.

In another embodiment, the UDP-glucosyltransferase capable of adding at least one glucose unit to starting composition steviol glycoside has >85% amino-acid sequence identity with UGTs selected from the following listing of Genlnfo identifier numbers, preferably from the group presented in Table 1 , and more preferably the group presented in Table 2.

397567 30680413 1 15480946 147798902 218193594 225443294

454245 32816174 1 16310259 14781 1764 218193942 225444853

1359905 32816178 1 16310985 147827151 219885307 225449296

1685003 34393978 1 16788066 147836230 222615927 225449700

1685005 37993665 1 16788606 147839909 222619587 225454338

2191 136 37993671 1 16789315 147846163 222623142 225454340

2501497 37993675 1 19394507 147855977 222625633 225454342

291 1049 39104603 1 19640480 148905778 222625635 225454473

4218003 41469414 122209731 148905999 222636620 225454475

4314356 41469452 125526997 148906835 222636621 225458362

13492674 42566366 125534279 148907340 222636628 225461551

13492676 42570280 125534461 148908935 222636629 225461556

15217773 42572855 125540090 148909182 224053242 225461558

15217796 44890129 125541516 148909920 224053386 225469538

15223396 46806235 125545408 148910082 224055535 225469540

15223589 50284482 125547340 148910154 224056138 226316457

15227766 51090402 125547520 148910612 224056160 226492603

15230017 1090594 125554547 148910769 224067918 226494221

15231757 52839682 125557592 156138791 224072747 226495389

15234056 56550539 125557593 156138797 224080189 226495945

15234195 62734263 125557608 156138799 224091845 226502400 15234196 62857204 125559566 156138803 224094703 226507980

15238503 62857206 125563266 165972256 224100653 226531 147

15239523 62857210 125571055 168016721 224100657 226532094

15239525 62857212 125579728 171674071 224101569 238477377

15239543 75265643 125588307 171906258 224103105 240254512

15239937 75285934 125589492 183013901 224103633 242032615

15240305 75288884 125599469 183013903 224103637 242032621

15240534 77550661 125601477 186478321 224109218 242038423

15982889 77556148 126635837 187373030 2241 14583 242043290

18086351 82791223 126635845 187373042 2241 16284 242044836

18418378 83778990 126635847 190692175 224120552 242051252

18418380 89953335 126635863 194701936 224121288 242056217

18418382 1 10741436 126635867 195620060 224121296 242056219

19743740 1 10743955 126635883 209954691 224121300 242056663

1991 1201 1 15438196 126635887 209954719 224130358 242059339

20149064 1 15438785 133874210 209954725 224140703 242059341

20260654 1 15441237 133874212 209954733 224143404 242060922

21435782 1 15454819 145358033 210063105 224143406 24206741 1

21553613 1 15456047 147772508 210063107 224144306 242067413

21593514 1 15457492 147776893 212275846 224285244 242076258

22759895 1 15459312 147776894 216296854 225431707 242076396

23955910 1 15464719 147776895 217074506 225435532 242084750

26452040 1 15471069 147786916 218185693 225436321 242091005

28393204 1 15471071 147798900 218187075 225440041 242095206

30679796 1 15474009 147798901 218189427 225441 1 16 242345159

242345161 297724601 326492035 356523945 357140904 359486938

255536859 297725463 326493430 356523957 357165849 359487055

255538228 297728331 326500410 356523959 357165852 359488135

255541676 297738632 326506816 356523961 357168415 359488708

255547075 297745347 326507826 356523963 357437837 359493630

255552620 297745348 326508394 356524387 357442755 359493632

255552622 297795735 326509445 356524403 357442757 359493634

255555343 297796253 32651 1261 356527181 357445729 359493636

255555361 297796257 32651 1866 356533209 357445731 359493815

255555363 297796261 326512412 356533852 357445733 359495856

255555365 297797587 326517673 356534718 357446799 359495858

255555369 297798502 326518800 356535480 357446805 359495869

255555373 297799226 326521 124 356542996 357452779 359495871

255555377 297805988 326525567 356543136 357452781 359497638

255556812 297807499 326525957 356543932 357452783 359807261

255556818 297809125 326526607 356549841 357452787 374256637

255563008 297809127 326527141 356549843 357452789 377655465

255564074 29781 1403 326530093 356554358 357452791 378405177

255564531 297820040 326534036 356554360 357452797 378829085

255572878 297821483 326534312 356558606 357452799 387135070

255577901 297825217 332071132 356560333 357470367 387135072

255583249 297832276 339715876 356560599 357472193 387135078

255583253 297832280 342306012 356560749 357472195 387135092

255583255 297832518 342306016 356566018 357474295 387135094

255585664 297832520 343457675 356566169 357474493 387135098 255585666 297840825 343457677 356566173 357474497 387135100 255634688 297840827 350534960 356567761 357474499 387135134 255644801 297847402 356498085 356574704 357490035 387135136 255645821 297849372 356499771 356576401 357493567 387135174 255647456 300078590 356499777 356577660 357497139 387135176 255648275 300669727 356499779 357114993 357497581 387135184 260279126 302142947 356501328 357115447 357497671 387135186 260279128 302142948 356502523 357115451 357500579 387135188 261343326 302142950 356503180 357115453 357504663 387135190 283132367 302142951 356503184 357116080 357504691 387135192 283362112 302765302 356503295 357116928 357504699 387135194 289188052 302796334 356504436 357117461 357504707 387135282 295841350 302811470 356504523 357117463 357505859 387135284 296088529 302821107 356504765 357117829 357510851 387135294 296090415 302821679 356511113 357117839 357516975 387135298 296090524 319759260 356515120 357125059 359477003 387135300 296090526 319759266 356517088 357126015 359477998 387135302 297599503 320148814 356520732 357134488 359478043 387135304 297601531 326489963 356522586 357135657 359478286 387135312 297611791 326490273 356522588 357138503 359484299 387135314 297722841 326491131 356522590 357139683 359486936 387135316 387135318 449440433 460376293 460413408 462423864 475546199 387135320 449445896 460378310 460416351 470101924 475556485 387135322 449446454 460380744 462394387 470102280 475559699 387135324 449447657 460381726 462394433 470102858 475578293 387135326 449449002 460382093 462394557 47010421 1 475591753 387135328 449449004 460382095 462395646 470104264 475593742 388493506 449449006 460382754 462395678 470104266 475612072 388495496 449451379 460384935 462396388 470106317 475622476 388498446 449451589 460384937 462396389 470106357 475622507 388499220 449451591 460385076 462396419 470115448 475623787 388502176 449451593 460385872 462396542 470130404 482550481 388517521 449453712 460386018 462397507 470131550 482550499 388519407 449453714 460389217 462399998 470136482 482550740 388521413 449453716 460394872 462400798 470136484 482550999 388827901 449453732 460396139 462401217 470136488 482552352 388827903 449457075 460397862 462402118 470136492 482554970 388827907 449467555 460397864 462402237 470137933 482555336 388827909 449468742 460398541 462402284 470137937 482555478 388827913 449495638 460403139 462402416 470140422 482556454 393887637 449495736 460403141 462404228 470140426 482557289 393887646 449499880 460403143 462406358 470140908 482558462 393887649 449502786 460403145 462408262 470141232 482558508 393990627 449503471 460405998 462409325 470142008 482558547 397746860 449503473 460407578 462409359 470142010 482561055 397789318 449515857 460407590 462409777 470142012 482561555 413924864 449518643 460409128 462411467 470143607 482562795 414590349 449519559 460409134 462414311 470143939 482562850 414590661 449522783 460409136 462414416 470145404 482565074 414591157 449524530 460409459 462414476 473923244 482566269 414879558 449524591 460409461 462415526 474114354 482566296 414879559 449528823 460409463 462415603 474143634 482566307 414879560 449528825 460409465 462415731 474202268 482568689 414888074 449534021 460409467 462416307 474299266 482570049 431812559 460365546 460410124 462416920 474363119 482570572 449432064 460366882 460410126 462416922 474366157 482575121 449432066 460369823 460410128 462416923 474429346

449433069 460369829 460410130 462416924 475432777

449436944 460369831 460410132 462417401 475473002

449438665 460369833 460410134 462419769 475489790

449438667 460370755 460410213 462420317 475511330

449440431 460374714 460411200 462423366 475516200

Table 1

GI number Accession Origin

190692175 ACE87855.1 Stevia rebaudiana

41469452 AAS07253.1 Oryza sativa

62857204 BAD95881.1 Ipomoea nil

62857206 BAD95882.1 Ipomoea purperea

56550539 BAD77944.1 Bellis perennis

115454819 NP 001051010.1 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

115459312 NP 001053256.1 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

115471069 NP 001059133.1 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

115471071 NP 001059134.1 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

116310985 CAH67920.1 Oryza sativa Indica Group

116788066 ABK24743.1 Picea sitchensis

122209731 Q2V6J9.1 Fragaria x ananassa

125534461 EAY81009.1 Oryza sativa Indica Group

125559566 EAZ05102.1 Oryza sativa Indica Group

125588307 EAZ28971.1 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

148907340 AB 16806.1 Picea sitchensis

148910082 ABR18123.1 Picea sitchensis

148910612 ABR18376.1 Picea sitchensis

15234195 NP 194486.1 Arabidopsis thaliana

15239523 NP 200210.1 Arabidopsis thaliana

15239937 NP 196793.1 Arabidopsis thaliana

1685005 AAB36653.1 Nicotiana tabacum

183013903 ACC38471.1 Medicago truncatula

186478321 NP 172511.3 Arabidopsis thaliana

187373030 ACD03249.1 Avena strigosa

194701936 ACF85052.1 Zea mays

19743740 AAL92461.1 Solanum lycopersicum

212275846 NP 001131009.1 Zea mays

222619587 EEE55719.1 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

224055535 XP 002298527.1 Populus trichocarpa

224101569 XP 002334266.1 Populus trichocarpa

224120552 XP 002318358.1 Populus trichocarpa

224121288 XP 002330790.1 Populus trichocarpa

225444853 XP 002281094 Vitis vinifera

225454342 XP 002275850.1 Vitis vinifera

225454475 XP 002280923.1 Vitis vinifera 225461556 XP 002285222 Vitis vi ifera

225469540 XP 002270294.1 Vitis vinifera

226495389 NP 001148083.1 Zea mays

226502400 NP 001147674.1 Zea mays

238477377 ACR43489.1 Triticum aestivum

240254512 NP 565540.4 Arabidopsis thaliana

2501497 Q43716.1 Petunia x hybrida

255555369 XP 002518721.1 Ricinus communis

26452040 BAC43110.1 Arabidopsis thaliana

296088529 CBI37520.3 Vitis vinifera

297611791 NP 001067852.2 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

297795735 XP 002865752.1 Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. lyrata

297798502 XP 002867135.1 Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. lyrata

297820040 XP 002877903.1 Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. lyrata

297832276 XP 002884020.1 Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. lyrata

302821107 XP 002992218.1 Selaginella moellendorjfii

30680413 NP 179446.2 Arabidopsis thaliana

319759266 ADV71369.1 Pueraria montana var. lobata

326507826 BAJ86656.1 Hordeum vulgare subsp. Vulgare

343457675 AEM37036.1 Brassica rapa subsp. oleifera

350534960 NP 001234680.1 Solanum lycopersicum

356501328 XP 003519477.1 Glycine max

356522586 XP 003529927.1 Glycine max

356535480 XP 003536273.1 Glycine max

357445733 XP 003593144.1 Medicago truncatula

357452783 XP 003596668.1 Medicago truncatula

357474493 XP 003607531.1 Medicago truncatula

357500579 XP 003620578.1 Medicago truncatula

357504691 XP 003622634.1 Medicago truncatula

359477998 XP 003632051.1 Vitis vinifera

359487055 XP 002271587 Vitis vinifera

359495869 XP 003635104.1 Vitis vinifera

387135134 AFJ52948.1 Linum usitatissimum

387135176 AFJ52969.1 Linum usitatissimum

387135192 AFJ52977.1 Linum usitatissimum

387135282 AFJ53022.1 Linum usitatissimum

387135302 AFJ53032.1 Linum usitatissimum

387135312 AFJ53037.1 Linum usitatissimum

388519407 AFK47765.1 Medicago truncatula

393887646 AFN26668.1 Barbarea vulgaris subsp. arcuata

414888074 DAA64088.1 Zea mays

42572855 NP 974524.1 Arabidopsis thaliana

449440433 XP 004137989.1 Cucumis sativus

449446454 XP 004140986.1 Cucumis sativus

449449004 . XP 004142255.1 Cucumis sativus

449451593 XP 004143546.1 Cucumis sativus

449515857 XP 004164964.1 Cucumis sativus

460382095 XP 004236775.1 Solanum lycopersicum

460409128 XP 004249992.1 Solanum lycopersicum

460409461 XP 004250157.1 Solanum lycopersicum

460409465 XP 004250159.1 Solanum lycopersicum

462396388 EMJ02187.1 Prunus persica

462402118 EMJ07675.1 Prunus persica

462409359 EMJ14693.1 Prunus persica

462416923 EMJ21660.1 Prunus persica

46806235 BAD 17459.1 Oryza sativa Japonica Group

470104266 XP 004288529.1 Fragaria vesca subsp. vesca

470142008 XP 004306714.1 Fragaria vesca subsp. vesca 475432777 EMTO 1232.1 Aegilops tauschii

51090402 BAD35324.1 Oryza saliva Japonica Group

Table 2

One embodiment is a microbial cell comprising an enzyme of the present invention, i.e. an enzyme capable of converting the starting composition to the target steviol glycoside. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present method include contacting a microorganism with a medium containing the starting composition to provide a medium comprising at least one target steviol glycoside.

The microorganism can be any microorganism possessing the necessary enzyme(s) for converting the starting composition to target steviol glycoside(s). These enzymes are encoded within the microorganism's genome.

Suitable microorganisms include, but are not limited to, E.coli, Saccharomyces sp., Aspergillus sp., Pichia sp., Bacillus sp., Yarrowia sp. etc.

In one embodiment, the microorganism is free when contacted with the starting composition.

In another embodiment, the microorganism is immobilized when contacted with the starting composition. For example, the microorganism may be immobilized to a solid support made from inorganic or organic materials. Non-limiting examples of solid supports suitable to immobilize the microorganism include derivatized cellulose or glass, ceramics, metal oxides or membranes. The microorganism may be immobilized to the solid support, for example, by covalent attachment, adsorption, cross-linking, entrapment or encapsulation. In still another embodiment, the enzyme capable of converting the starting composition to the target steviol glycoside is secreted out of the microorganism and into the reaction medium.

The target steviol glycoside is optionally purified. Purification of the target steviol glycoside from the reaction medium can be achieved by at least one suitable method to provide a highly purified target steviol glycoside composition. Suitable methods include crystallization, separation by membranes, centrifugation, extraction (liquid or solid phase), chromatographic separation, HPLC (preparative or analytical) or a combination of such methods.

Highly purified target glycoside(s) particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E obtained according to this invention can be used "as-is" or in combination with other sweeteners, flavors, food ingredients and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of flavors include, but are not limited to, lime, lemon, orange, fruit, banana, grape, pear, pineapple, mango, berry, bitter almond, cola, cinnamon, sugar, cotton candy, vanilla and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of other food ingredients include, but are not limited to, acidulants, organic and amino acids, coloring agents, bulking agents, modified starches, gums, texturizers, preservatives, caffeine, antioxidants, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, gelling agents and combinations thereof.

Highly purified target glycoside(s) particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E obtained according to this invention can be prepared in various polymorphic forms, including but not limited to hydrates, solvates, anhydrous, amorphous forms and combinations thereof.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb , reb D, reb / and/or reb E obtained according to this invention may be incorporated as a high intensity natural sweetener in foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical compositions, cosmetics, chewing gums, table top products, cereals, dairy products, toothpastes and other oral cavity compositions, etc. Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb , reb D, reb / and/or reb E as a sweetening compound may be employed as the sole sweetener, or it may be used together with at least one naturally occurring high intensity sweeteners such as stevioside, reb A, reb B, reb C, reb F, reb N, reb O, steviolbioside, dulcoside A, rubusoside, mogrosides, brazzein, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, glycyrrhizic acid and its salts, thaumatin, perillartine, pernandulcin, mukuroziosides, baiyunoside, phlomisoside-I, dimethyl-hexahydrofluorene-dicarboxylic acid, abrusosides, periandrin, carnosiflosides, cyclocarioside, pterocaryosides, polypodoside A, brazilin, hernandulcin, phillodulcin, glycyphyllin, phlorizin, trilobatin, dihydroflavonol, dihydroquercetin-3-acetate, neoastilibin, /ram-cinnamaldehyde, monatin and its salts, selligueain A, hematoxylin, monellin, osladin, pterocaryoside A, pterocaryoside B, mabinlin, pentadin, miraculin, curculin, neoculin, chlorogenic acid, cynarin, Luo Han Guo sweetener, mogroside V, siamenoside and combinations thereof.

In a particular embodiment, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E can be used in a sweetener composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of reb A, reb B, reb O, NSF-02, Mogroside V, Luo Han Guo, allulose, allose, D-tagatose, erythritol and combinations thereof.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E may also be used in combination with synthetic high intensity sweeteners such as sucralose, potassium acesulfame, aspartame, alitame, saccharin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, cyclamate, neotame, dulcin, suosan advantame, salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

Moreover, highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E can be used in combination with natural sweetener suppressors such as gymnemic acid, hodulcin, ziziphin, lactisole, and others, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E may also be combined with various umami taste enhancers, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E can be mixed with umami tasting and sweet amino acids such as glutamate, aspartic acid, glycine, alanine, threonine, proline, serine, glutamate, lysine, tryptophan and combinations thereof.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E can be used in combination with one or more additive selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, poly- amino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their corresponding salts, nucleotides, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts including organic acid salts and organic base salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants and flavoring ingredients, astringent compounds, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, polymers and combinations thereof.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E may be combined with polyols or sugar alcohols. The term "polyol" refers to a molecule that contains more than one hydroxyl group. A polyol may be a diol, triol, or a tetraol which contain 2, 3, and 4 hydroxyl groups, respectively. A polyol also may contain more than four hydroxyl groups, such as a pentaol, hexaol, heptaol, or the like, which contain 5, 6, or 7 hydroxyl groups, respectively. Additionally, a polyol also may be a sugar alcohol, polyhydric alcohol, or polyalcohol which is a reduced form of carbohydrate, wherein the carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone, reducing sugar) has been reduced to a primary or secondary hydroxyl group. Examples of polyols include, but are not limited to, erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, xylitol, inositol, isomalt, propylene glycol, glycerol, threitol, galactitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose, reduced isomalto- oligosaccharides, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, reduced glucose syrup, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzates, polyglycitols and sugar alcohols or any other carbohydrates capable of being reduced which do not adversely affect the taste of the sweetener composition.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E may be combined with reduced calorie sweeteners such as, for example, D-tagatose, L-sugars, L-sorbose, L-arabinose and combinations thereof.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E may also be combined with various carbohydrates. The term "carbohydrate" generally refers to aldehyde or ketone compounds substituted with multiple hydroxyl groups, of the general formula (CH₂0)n, wherein n is 3-30, as well as their oligomers and polymers. The carbohydrates of the present invention can, in addition, be substituted or deoxygenated at one or more positions. Carbohydrates, as used herein, encompass unmodified carbohydrates, carbohydrate derivatives, substituted carbohydrates, and modified carbohydrates. As used herein, the phrases "carbohydrate derivatives", "substituted carbohydrate", and "modified carbohydrates" are synonymous. Modified carbohydrate means any carbohydrate wherein at least one atom has been added, removed, or substituted, or combinations thereof. Thus, carbohydrate derivatives or substituted carbohydrates include substituted and unsubstituted monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. The carbohydrate derivatives or substituted carbohydrates optionally can be deoxygenated at any corresponding C-position, and/or substituted with one or more moieties such as hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl, carboxyl, acyl, acyloxy, amino, amido, carboxyl derivatives, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfo, mercapto, imino, sulfonyl, sulfenyl, sulfinyl, sulfamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboxamido, phosphonyl, phosphinyl, phosphoryl, phosphino, thioester, thioether, oximino, hydrazino, carbamyl, phospho, phosphonato, or any other viable functional group provided the carbohydrate derivative or substituted carbohydrate functions to improve the sweet taste of the sweetener composition.

Examples of carbohydrates which may be used in accordance with this invention include, but are not limited to, psicose, turanose, allose, tagatose, trehalose, galactose, rhamnose, various cyclodextrins, cyclic oligosaccharides, various types of maltodextrins, dextran, sucrose, glucose, ribulose, fructose, threose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, mannose, idose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, isotrehalose, neotrehalose, isomaltulose, erythrose, deoxyribose, gulose, idose, talose, erythrulose, xylulose, psicose, turanose, cellobiose, amylopectin, glucosamine, mannosamine, fucose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucono-lactone, abequose, galactosamine, beet oligosaccharides, isomalto- oligosaccharides (isomaltose, isomaltotriose, panose and the like), xylo-oligosaccharides (xylotriose, xylobiose and the like), xylo-terminated oligosaccharides, gentio- oligosaccharides (gentiobiose, gentiotriose, gentiotetraose and the like), sorbose, nigero- oligosaccharides, palatinose oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose and the like), maltotetraol, maltotriol, malto-oligosaccharides (maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose and the like), starch, inulin, inulo- oligosaccharides, lactulose, melibiose, raffinose, ribose, isomerized liquid sugars such as high fructose corn syrups, coupling sugars, and soybean oligosaccharides. Additionally, the carbohydrates as used herein may be in either the D- or L-configuration.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E obtained according to this invention can be used in combination with various physiologically active substances or functional ingredients. Functional ingredients generally are classified into categories such as carotenoids, dietary fiber, fatty acids, saponins, antioxidants, nutraceuticals, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, phenols, plant sterols and stanols (phytosterols and phytostanols); polyols; prebiotics, probiotics; phytoestrogens; soy protein; sulfides/thiols; amino acids; proteins; vitamins; and minerals. Functional ingredients also may be classified based on their health benefits, such as cardiovascular, cholesterol-reducing, and anti-inflammatory. Exemplary functional ingredients are provided in WO2013/096420, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E obtained according to this invention may be applied as a high intensity sweetener to produce zero calorie, reduced calorie or diabetic beverages and food products with improved taste characteristics. It may also be used in drinks, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and other products in which sugar cannot be used. In addition, highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E can be used as a sweetener not only for drinks, foodstuffs, and other products dedicated for human consumption, but also in animal feed and fodder with improved characteristics.

Examples of consumable products in which highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E may be used as a sweetening compound include, but are not limited to, alcoholic beverages such as vodka, wine, beer, liquor, and sake, etc.; natural juices; refreshing drinks; carbonated soft drinks; diet drinks; zero calorie drinks; reduced calorie drinks and foods; yogurt drinks; instant juices; instant coffee; powdered types of instant beverages; canned products; syrups; fermented soybean paste; soy sauce; vinegar; dressings; mayonnaise; ketchups; curry; soup; instant bouillon; powdered soy sauce; powdered vinegar; types of biscuits; rice biscuit; crackers; bread; chocolates; caramel; candy; chewing gum; jelly; pudding; preserved fruits and vegetables; fresh cream; jam; marmalade; flower paste; powdered milk; ice cream; sorbet; vegetables and fruits packed in bottles; canned and boiled beans; meat and foods boiled in sweetened sauce; agricultural vegetable food products; seafood; ham; sausage; fish ham; fish sausage; fish paste; deep fried fish products; dried seafood products; frozen food products; preserved seaweed; preserved meat; tobacco; medicinal products; and many others. In principle it can have unlimited applications. During the manufacturing of products such as foodstuffs, drinks, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, table top products, and chewing gum, the conventional methods such as mixing, kneading, dissolution, pickling, permeation, percolation, sprinkling, atomizing, infusing and other methods may be used.

Moreover, the highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E obtained in this invention may be used in dry or liquid forms.

The highly purified target steviol glycoside can be added before or after heat treatment of food products. The amount of the highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb , reb D, reb / and/or reb E depends on the purpose of usage. As discussed above, it can be added alone or in combination with other compounds.

The present invention is also directed to sweetness enhancement in beverages using reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E. Accordingly, the present invention provides a beverage comprising a sweetener and reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb £ as a sweetness enhancer, wherein reb M, reb D, reb I and/or reb E is present in a concentration at or below their respective sweetness recognition thresholds.

As used herein, the term "sweetness enhancer" refers to a compound capable of enhancing or intensifying the perception of sweet taste in a composition, such as a beverage. The term "sweetness enhancer" is synonymous with the terms "sweet taste potentiator," "sweetness potentiator," "sweetness amplifier," and "sweetness intensifier."

The term "sweetness recognition threshold concentration," as generally used herein, is the lowest known concentration of a sweet compound that is perceivable by the human sense of taste, typically around 1.0% sucrose equivalence (1 .0% SE). Generally, the sweetness enhancers may enhance or potentiate the sweet taste of sweeteners without providing any noticeable sweet taste by themselves when present at or below the sweetness recognition threshold concentration of a given sweetness enhancer; however, the sweetness enhancers may themselves provide sweet taste at concentrations above their sweetness recognition threshold concentration. The sweetness recognition threshold concentration is specific for a particular enhancer and can vary based on the beverage matrix. The sweetness recognition threshold concentration can be easily determined by taste testing increasing concentrations of a given enhancer until greater than 1.0% sucrose equivalence in a given beverage matrix is detected. The concentration that provides about 1.0% sucrose equivalence is considered the sweetness recognition threshold.

In some embodiments, sweetener is present in the beverage in an amount from about 0.5% to about 12% by weight, such as, for example, about 1.0% by weight, about 1.5% by weight, about 2.0% by weight, about 2.5% by weight, about 3.0% by weight, about 3.5% by weight, about 4.0% by weight, about 4.5% by weight, about 5.0%) by weight, about 5.5% by weight, about 6.0% by weight, about 6.5% by weight, about 7.0%) by weight, about 7.5% by weight, about 8.0% by weight, about 8.5% by weight, about 9.0%) by weight, about 9.5% by weight, about 10.0% by weight, about 10.5% by weight, about 1 1.0% by weight, about 1 1.5% by weight or about 12.0% by weight.

In a particular embodiment, the sweetener is present in the beverage in an amount from about 0.5% of about 10%), such as for example, from about 2% to about 8%), from about 3% to about 7% or from about 4% to about 6% by weight. In a particular embodiment, the sweetener is present in the beverage in an amount from about 0.5%) to about 8% by weight. In another particular embodiment, the sweetener is present in the beverage in an amount from about 2% to about 8% by weight.

In one embodiment, the sweetener is a traditional caloric sweetener. Suitable sweeteners include, but are not limited to, sucrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup and high fructose starch syrup.

In another embodiment, the sweetener is erythritol.

In still another embodiment, the sweetener is a rare sugar. Suitable rare sugars include, but are not limited to, D-allose, D-psicose, L-ribose, D-tagatose, L-glucose, L- fucose, L-arbinose, D-turanose, D-leucrose and combinations thereof.

It is contemplated that a sweetener can be used alone, or in combination with other sweeteners.

In one embodiment, the rare sugar is D-allose. In a more particular embodiment, D-allose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5%> to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%. In another embodiment, the rare sugar is D-psicose. In a more particular embodiment, D-psicose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

In still another embodiment, the rare sugar is D-ribose. In a more particular embodiment, D-ribose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

In yet another embodiment, the rare sugar is D-tagatose. In a more particular embodiment, D-tagatose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

In a further embodiment, the rare sugar is L-glucose. In a more particular embodiment, L-glucose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

In one embodiment, the rare sugar is L-fucose. In a more particular embodiment, L-fucose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

In another embodiment, the rare sugar is L-arabinose. In a more particular embodiment, L-arabinose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5%) to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

In yet another embodiment, the rare sugar is D-turanose. In a more particular embodiment, D-turanose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

In yet another embodiment, the rare sugar is D-leucrose. In a more particular embodiment, D-leucrose is present in the beverage in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, such as, for example, from about 2% to about 8%.

The addition of the sweetness enhancer at a concentration at or below its sweetness recognition threshold increases the detected sucrose equivalence of the beverage comprising the sweetener and the sweetness enhancer compared to a corresponding beverage in the absence of the sweetness enhancer. Moreover, sweetness can be increased by an amount more than the detectable sweetness of a solution containing the same concentration of the at least one sweetness enhancer in the absence of any sweetener.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method for enhancing the sweetness of a beverage comprising a sweetener comprising providing a beverage comprising a sweetener and adding a sweetness enhancer selected from reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E or a combination thereof, wherein reb , reb D, reb / and/or reb E are present in a concentration at or below their sweetness recognition thresholds.

Addition of reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E in a concentration at or below the sweetness recognition threshold to a beverage containing a sweetener may increase the detected sucrose equivalence from about 1.0% to about 5.0%, such as, for example, about 1.0%, about 1.5%, about 2.0%, about 2.5%, about 3.0%, about 3.5%, about 4.0%, about 4.5% or about 5.0%.

The following examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention for the preparation of highly purified target steviol glycoside(s), particularly, reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the materials, proportions, conditions and procedures set forth in the examples, which are only illustrative.

EXAMPLE 1

Protein sequences of engineered enzymes used in the biocatalytic process

SEQ ID 1 :

>SuSy_At, variant PM1-54-2-E05 (engineered sucrose synthase; source of WT gene: Arabidopsis thaliana)

MANAERMITRVHSQRERLNETLVSERNEVLALLSRVEAKGKGILQQNQII AEFEALPEQTRKKLEGGPFFDLLKSTQEAIVLPPWVALAVRPRPGVWEYL RVNLHALVVEELQPAEFLHFKEELVDGVKNGNFTLELDFEPFNASIPRPT LHKYIGNGVDFLNRHLSAKLFHDKESLLPLLDFLRLHSHQGKNLMLSEKI QNLNTLQHTLRKAEEYLAELKSETLYEEFEAKFEEIGLERGWGDNAERVL DMIRLLLDLLEAPDPSTLETFLGRVPMVFNVVILSPHGYFAQDNVLGYPD TGGQVVYILDQVRALEIEMLQRIKQQGLNIKPRILILTRLLPDAVGTTCG ERLERVYDSEYCDILRVPFRTEKGIVRKWISRFEVWPYLETYTEDAAVEL SKELNGKPDLIIGNYSDGNLVASLLAHKLGVTQCTIAHALEKTKYPDSDI YWKKLDDKYHFSCQFTADIFAMNHTDFIITSTFQEIAGSKETVGQYESHT AFTLPGLYRVVHGIDVFDPKFNIVSPGADMSIYFPYTEEKRRLTKFHSEI EELLYSDVENDEHLCVLKDKKKPILFTMARLDRVKNLSGLVE YGKNTRL RELVNLVVVGGDRRKESKDNEEKAEMKKMYDLIEEYKLNGQFRWISSQMD RVRNGELYRYICDTKGAFVQPALYEAFGLTVVEAMTCGLPTFATCKGGPA EIIVHGKSGFHIDPYHGDQAADLLADFFTKCKEDPSHWDEISKGGLQRIE EKYTWQIYSQRLLTLTGVYGFWKHVSNLDRLEHRRYLEMFYALKYRPLAQ

AVPLAQDD

SEQ ID 2:

>UGTSl-0234 (engineered glycosyltransferase; UGTSL2; source of WT gene

lycopersicum)

MATNLRVLMFPWLAYGHISPFLNIAKQLADRGFLIYLCSTRINLESI IKK IPEKYADSIHLIELQLPELPELPPHYHTTNGLPPHLNPTLHKALKMSKPN FSRILQNLKPDLLIYDVLQPWAEHVANEQGIPAGKLLVSCAAVFSYFFSF RKNPGVEFPFPAIHLPEVEKVKIREILAKEPEEGGRLDEGNKQMMLMCTS RTIEAKYIDYCTELCNWKVVPVGPPFQDLITNDADNKELIDWLGTKPENS TVFVSFGSEYFLSKEDMEEI FALEASNVNFIWVVRFPKGEERNLEDALP EGFLERIGERGRVLDKFAPQPRILNHPSTGGFISHCGWNSVMESIDFGVP IIAMPIHNDQPINAKLMVELGVAVEIVRDDDGKIHRGEIAEALKSVVTGE TGEILRAKVREISKNLKSIRDEEMDAVAEELIQLCRNSNKSK

SEQ ID 3:

>UGTSr-0042 (engineered glycosyltransferase; UGT76G1 ; source of WT gene: Stevia rebaudiana)

MENKTETTVRRRRRIILFPVPFQGHINPILQLANVLYSKGFAITILHTNFNKPKTSNYPH FTFRFILDNDPQDERISNLPTHGPLAGMRIPIINEHGADELRRELELLMLASEEDEEVSC LITDALWYFAQDVADSLNLRRLVLMTSSLFNFHAHVSLPQFDELGYLDPDDKTRLEEQAS GFPMLKVKDIKSAYSNWQIGKEILGKMIKQTKASSGVIWNSFKELEESELETVIREIPAP SFLIPLPKHLTASSSSLLDHDRTVFEWLDQQAPSSVLYVSFGSTSEVDEKDFLEIARGLV DSGQSFLWVVRPGFVKGSTWVEPLPDGFLGERGKIVKWVPQQEVLAHPAIGAFWTHSGWN STLESVCEGVPMIFSSFGGDQPLNARYMSDVLRVGVYLENGWERGEVVNAIRRVMVDEEG EYIRQNARVLKQKADVSLMKGGSSYESLESLVSYISSL

EXAMPLE 2

Expression and formulation of SuSy_At variant of SEQ ID 1

The gene coding for the SuSy_At variant of SEQ ID 1 (EXAMPLE 1) was cloned into the expression vector pLElA17 (derivative of pRSF-lb, Novagen). The resulting plasmid was used for transformation of E.coli BL21 (DE3) cells.

Cells were cultivated in ZYM505 medium (F. William Studier, Protein Expression and Purification 41 (2005) 207-234) supplemented with kanamycin (50 mg/1) at 37°C. Expression of the genes was induced at logarithmic phase by IPTG (0.2 mM) and carried out at 30°C and 200 rpm for 16-18 hours.

Cells were harvested by centrifugation (3220 x g, 20 min, 4°C) and re-suspended to an optical density of 200 (measured at 600nm (OD₆oo)) with cell lysis buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.0; 2 mM MgCl₂, DNA nuclease 20 U/mL, lysozyme 0.5 mg/mL). Cells were then disrupted by sonication and crude extracts were separated from cell debris by centrifugation (18000 x g 40 min, 4°C). The supernatant was sterilized by filtration through a 0.2 μιη filter and diluted 50:50 with distilled water, resulting in an enzymatic active preparation.

For enzymatic active preparations of SuSy At, activity in Units is defined as follows: 1 mU of SuSy turns over 1 nmol of sucrose into fructose in 1 minute. Reaction conditions for the assay are 30°C, 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 400 mM sucrose at t_¾ 3 mM Mg ¾, and 15 mM uridin diphosphate (UDP).

EXAMPLE 3

Expression and formulation of UGTS1 variant of SEQ ID 2

The gene coding for the UGTS1 variant of SEQ ID 2 (EXAMPLE 1) was cloned into the expression vector pLElA17 (derivative of pRSF-lb, Novagen). The resulting plasmid was used for transformation of E.coli BL21(DE3) cells.

Cells were cultivated in ZYM505 medium (F. William Studier, Protein Expression and Purification 41 (2005) 207-234) supplemented with kanamycin (50 mg/1) at 37°C. Expression of the genes was induced at logarithmic phase by IPTG (0.1 mM) and carried out at 30°C and 200 rpm for 16-18 hours.

Cells were harvested by centrifugation (3220 x g, 20 min, 4°C) and re-suspended to an optical density of 200 (measured at 600nm (OD₆oo)) with cell lysis buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.0; 2 mM MgCl₂, DNA nuclease 20 U/mL, lysozyme 0.5 mg/mL). Cells were then disrupted by sonication and crude extracts were separated from cell debris by centrifugation (18000 x g 40 min, 4°C). The supernatant was sterilized by filtration through a 0.2 μιη filter and diluted 50:50 with 1 M sucrose solution, resulting in an enzymatic active preparation.

For enzymatic active preparations of UGTS1, activity in Units is defined as follows: 1 mU of UGTS1 turns over 1 nmol of rebaudioside A (RebA) into rebaudioside D (RebD) in 1 minute. Reaction conditions for the assay are 30°C, 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 10 mM RebA at t₀, 500 mM sucrose, 3 mM MgCl₂, 0.25 mM uridin diphosphate (UDP) and 3 U/mL of SuSy_At.

EXAMPLE 4

Expression and formulation of UGTSr variant of SEQ ID 3 The gene coding for the UGTSr variant of SEQ ID 3 (EXAMPLE 1) was cloned into the expression vector pLElA17 (derivative of pRSF-lb, Novagen). The resulting plasmid was used for transformation of E.coli BL21(DE3) cells.

Cells were harvested by centrifugation (3220 x g, 20 min, 4°C) and re-suspended to an optical density of 200 (measured at 600nm (OD₆oo)) with cell lysis buffer (100 mM Tris- HC1 pH 7.0; 2 mM MgCl₂, DNA nuclease 20 U/mL, lysozyme 0.5 mg/mL). Cells were then disrupted by sonication and crude extracts were separated from cell debris by centrifugation (18000 x g 40 min, 4°C). The supernatant was sterilized by filtration through a 0.2 μιη filter and diluted 50:50 with 1 M sucrose solution, resulting in an enzymatic active preparation.

For enzymatic active preparations of UGTSr, activity in Units is defined as follows: 1 mU of UGTSr turns over 1 nmol of rebaudioside A (RebA) into rebaudioside I (Rebl) in 1 minute. Reaction conditions for the assay are 30°C, 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 10 mM RebA at to, 500 mM sucrose, 3 mM MgCl₂, 0.25 mM uridin diphosphate (UDP) and 3 U/mL of SuSy_At.

EXAMPLE 5

Synthesis of rebaudioside M in a one-pot reaction, adding UGTSl, SuSy At and UGTSr at the same time

Rebaudioside M (RebM) was synthesized directly from rebaudioside A (RebA) in a one-pot reaction, utilizing the three enzymes (see EXAMPLES 1, 2, 3 and 4): UGTSl

(variant of SEQ ID 2), SuSy_At-(variant of SEQ ID 1) and UGTSr (variant of SEQ ID 3).

The final reaction solution contained 20 mU/raL UGTSl, 160 mU/mL SuSy_At, 10 raU/mL UGTSr, 25 mM rebaudioside A, 0.5 mM uridin diphosphate (UDP), 1 M sucrose,

4 mM MgCl₂ and 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (buffer stock prepared at pH 7.5), prepared in distilled water to a total volume of 1.6 mL. First, 186.6 μΐ, of distilled water were mixed with 6.4 μΕ of 1M MgCl₂, 800 iL of 2 M sucrose, 16.1 μΕ of 50 mM UDP,

80 i of 1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) and 400 μΕ of 100 mM rebaudioside

A. To start the biotransformation, 26.4 μΐ, of 1200 mU/mL UGTSl, 10.4 μΐ, of 24600 mU/mL SuSy_At and 74.1 μL· of 220 mU/mL UGTSr were added. The reaction was incubated at 30°C, shaking for 70 h. The content of RebM, RebA, as well as the content of rebaudiosides D (RebD) and rebaudiosides I and M2 (Rebl/M2) at several time points was determined by HPLC.

For analysis, biotransformation samples were inactivated by mixing 100

of reaction solution with 10 iL 1M H₂S0 , and adding 90 μL· of 60% MeOH (in H₂0). Resulting samples were diluted a further 10-fold in 30% MeOH (in H₂0), centrifuged at 18 x g for 10 min at 4°C, and supernatants were used as samples for HPLC injection. HPLC was carried out on a Shimadzu 20A series unit equipped with two pump units, an auto sampler, and a thermostat column compartment. Mobile phases A (10 mM NaH₂P0₄, pH 2.6) and B (Acetonitrile, HPLC grade) were mixed on-line in different ratios at different times. Separation started with 26% B, changed to 29% B at 7 min and returned to 26% at 12.5 min run time. Total run time were 17 min. The flow rate was 0.75 mL/min. The column used was a Phenomenex Kinetex 2.6 μιη CI 8 100 A, 150x4.6mm. The column temperature was maintained at 40 °C. The injection volume was 5 μΐ Rebaudioside species were detected by UV at 210 nm.

Table shows for each time point the conversion of rebA into identified rebaudioside species (percentages calculated from molarities).

Table 3

Biotransformation of RebA to RebM, (addition of UGTS1-, SuSy_At and UGTSr at reaction start)

% conversion from RebA

time / h RebA RebD RebM RebM2 Rebl unknown

0 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.0

6 69.0 6.1 12.5 0.00 9.0 3.4

22 33.5 4.2 39.4 0.02 18.8 4.1

32 21.1 3.2 49.5 0.05 21.6 4.5

47 8.3 1.8 62.3 0.06 24.7 2.9

71 1.5 0.5 66.9 0.16 25.3 5.6

EXAMPLE 6

Synthesis of rebaudioside M in a one-pot reaction„adding UGTSl, SuSy At at reaction start, but UGTSr only after 22 h

Rebaudioside M (RebM) was synthesized directly from rebaudioside A (RebA) in a one-pot reaction, utilizing the three enzymes (see EXAMPLES 1, 2, 3 and 4); UGTSl

(variant of SEQ ID 2), SuSy_At (variant of SEQ ID 1) and UGTSr (variant of SEQ ID 3). The final reaction solution contained 20 mU/rriL UGTS1, 160 mU/mL SuSy_At, 10 mU/niL UGTSr, 25 mM rebaudioside A, 0.5 mM uridin diphosphate (UDP), 1 M sucrose, 4 mM MgCl₂ and 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (buffer stock prepared at pH 7.5), prepared in distilled water to a total volume of 1 .6 mL. First, 186.6 μΐ, of distilled water were mixed with 6.4 μΐ. of 1M MgCl₂, 800 μί of 2 M sucrose, 16A μΐ, of 50 mM UDP, 80 μΐ, of 1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) and 400 μΐ. of 100 mM rebaudioside A. To start the biotransformation, 26.4 μΣ, of 1200 mU/mL UGTS1 and 10.4 μΐ, of 24600 raU/mL SuSy At were added. The reaction was incubated at 30°C, shaking for 22 h. Then, 74.1 μΐ_^ of 220 mU/mL UGTSr was added to the reaction, and the reaction was incubated at 30°C, shaking for another 49 h. The content of RebM, RebA, as well as the content of rebaudiosides D (RebD) and rebaudioside I and M2 (Rebl/M2) at several time points was determined by HPLC.

For analysis, biotransformation samples were inactivated by mixing 100 μL of reaction solution with 10 μL 1M H₂S0₄, and adding 90 μΐ, of 60% MeOH (in H₂0). Resulting samples were diluted a further 10-fold in 30% MeOH (in H₂0), centrifuged at 18 x g for 10 min at 4°C, and supernatants were used as samples for HPLC injection. HPLC was carried out on a Shimadzu 20A series unit equipped with two pump units, an auto sampler, and a thermostat column compartment. Mobile phases A (10 mM NaH₂P0₄, pH 2.6) and B (Acetonitrile, HPLC grade) were mixed on-line in different ratios at different times. Separation started with 26% B, changed to 29% B at 7 min and returned to 26% at 12.5 min run time. Total run time were 17 min. The flow rate was 0.75 mL/min. The column used was a Phenomenex Kinetex 2.6 μηι CI 8 100 A, 150x4.6mm. The column temperature was maintained at 40 °C. The injection volume was 5 μΐ Rebaudioside species were detected by UV at 210 nm.

Table 4 shows for each time point the conversion of RebA into identified rebaudioside species (percentages calculated from molarities).

Table 4

Biotransformation of RebA to RebM, (addition of UGTSl and SuSy_At at reaction start, addition of UGTSr after 22 h)

% conversion from RebA

time / h RebA RebD RebM RebM2 Rebl unknown

0 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

6 71.7 28.4 0.0 0.03 0,0 0.1

22 25.2 65.9 0.0 0.12 0.0 8.8

32 15.8 55.9 22.6 0.20 1.3 4.3

47 9.3 32.1 54.9 0.28 2.0 1.5

71 0.9 2.2 90.6 0.36 2.6 3.4

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A method for producing highly purified target steviol glycosides, comprising the steps of: a. providing a starting composition comprising an organic compound with at least one carbon atom; b. providing an enzyme preparation or microorganism containing at least one enzyme selected from steviol biosynthesis enzymes, UDP-glycosyltransferases, and optionally UDP-glucose recycling enzymes; c. contacting the enzyme preparation or microorganism with a medium containing the starting composition to produce a medium comprising at least one target steviol glycoside.

2. A method for producing highly purified target steviol glycosides, comprising the steps of: a. providing a starting composition comprising an organic compound with at least one carbon atom; b. providing a biocatalyst comprising at least one enzyme selected from steviol biosynthesis enzymes, UDP-glycosyltransferases, and optionally UDP-glucose recycling enzymes; c. contacting the biocatalyst with a medium containing the starting composition to produce a medium comprising at least one target steviol glycoside.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising the step of: d. separating the target steviol glycoside from the medium to provide a highly purified target steviol glycoside composition.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the starting composition is selected from the group consisting steviol, steviol glycosides, polyols, carbohydrates, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of E.coli, Saccharomyces sp., Aspergillus sp., Pichia sp., Bacillus sp., and Yarrowia sp.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the biocatalyst is an enzyme, or a cell comprising one or more enzyme, capable of converting the starting composition to target steviol glycoside.

7. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the target steviol glycoside is selected from the group consisting of reb M, reb D, reb / and/or reb E and mixtures thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of a mevalonate (MVA) pathway enzyme, a 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4- phosphate pathway (MEP/DOXP) enzyme, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, copalyl diphosphate synthase, kaurene synthase, kaurene oxidase, kaurenoic acid 13-hydroxylase (KAH), steviol synthetase, deoxyxylulose 5 -phosphate synthase (DXS), D-l- deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D- erythritol synthase (CMS), 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (CMK), 4- diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4- cyclodiphosphate synthase (MCS), 1- hydroxy-2-methyl-2(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate synthase (HDS), l-hydroxy-2-methyl-2(E)- butenyl 4-diphosphate reductase (HDR), acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, truncated HMG-CoA reductase, mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase, mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase, cytochrome P450 reductase, UGT74G1, UGT85C2, UGT91D2, EUGT1 1, UGTSL2, UGT76G1, or mutant variant thereof having >85% amino-acid sequence identity, >86% amino-acid sequence identity, >87% amino-acid sequence identity, >88% amino-acid sequence identity, >89% amino-acid sequence identity, >90% amino-acid sequence identity, >91% amino-acid sequence identity, >92% amino-acid sequence identity, >93% amino-acid sequence identity, >94% amino-acid sequence identity, >95% amino-acid sequence identity, >96% amino-acid sequence identity, >97% amino-acid sequence identity, >98% amino-acid sequence identity, >99% amino-acid sequence identity.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the target steviol glycoside content is greater than about 95% by weight on a dry basis.

10. A consumable product comprising a highly purified target glycoside composition produced by the method of claim 3, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a food, a beverage, a pharmaceutical composition, a tobacco product, a nutraceutical composition, an oral hygiene composition, and a cosmetic composition.

1 1. A consumable product comprising the highly purified target steviol glycoside composition produced by the method of claim 3, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a food, a beverage, a pharmaceutical composition, a tobacco product, a nutraceutical composition, an oral hygiene composition, and a cosmetic composition, and wherein the target steviol glycoside is reb D.

12. A consumable product comprising the highly purified target steviol glycoside composition produced by the method of claim 3, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a food, a beverage, a pharmaceutical composition, a tobacco product, a nutraceutical composition, an oral hygiene composition, and a cosmetic composition, and wherein the target steviol glycoside is reb M.

13. A consumable product comprising the highly purified target steviol glycoside composition produced by the method of claim 3, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a food, a beverage, a pharmaceutical composition, a tobacco product, a nutraceutical composition, an oral hygiene composition, and a cosmetic composition, and wherein the target steviol glycoside is reb E.

14. A consumable product comprising the highly purified target steviol glycoside composition produced by the method of claim 3, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a food, a beverage, a pharmaceutical composition, a tobacco product, a nutraceutical composition, an oral hygiene composition, and a cosmetic composition, and wherein the target steviol glycoside is reb I.

15. The consumable product of claim 10, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of beverages; natural juices; refreshing drinks; carbonated soft drinks; diet drinks; zero calorie drinks; reduced calorie drinks and foods; yogurt drinks; instant juices; instant coffee; powdered types of instant beverages; canned products; syrups; fermented soybean paste; soy sauce; vinegar; dressings; mayonnaise; ketchups; curry; soup; instant bouillon; powdered soy sauce; powdered vinegar; types of biscuits; rice biscuit; crackers; bread; chocolates; caramel; candy; chewing gum; jelly; pudding; preserved fruits and vegetables; fresh cream; jam; marmalade; flower paste; powdered milk; ice cream; sorbet; vegetables and fruits packed in bottles; canned and boiled beans; meat and foods boiled in sweetened sauce; agricultural vegetable food products; seafood; ham; sausage; fish ham; fish sausage; fish paste; deep fried fish products; dried seafood products; frozen food products; preserved seaweed; preserved meat; tobacco and medicinal products.

16. The consumable product of claim 10, further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, polyols, amino acids and their corresponding salts, poly-amino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their corresponding salts, nucleotides, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts including organic acid salts and organic base salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, caffeine, flavorants and flavoring ingredients, astringent compounds, proteins or protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, polymers and combinations thereof.

17. The consumable product of claim 10, further comprising at least one functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of saponins, antioxidants, dietary fiber sources, fatty acids, vitamins, glucosamine, minerals, preservatives, hydration agents, probiotics, prebiotics, weight management agents, osteoporosis management agents, phytoestrogens, long chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohols, phytosterols and combinations thereof.

18. The consumable product of claim 10, further comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of reb A, reb B, reb O, NSF-02, Mogroside V, Luo Han Guo, allulose, allose, D-tagatose, erythritol and combinations thereof.

19. A method for enhancing the sweetness of a beverage comprising a sweetener comprising:

a. ) providing a beverage comprising a sweetener; and

b. ) adding a sweetness enhancer selected from highly purified target glycoside composition produced by the method of claim 3,

wherein highly purified target glycoside composition produced by the method of claim 3 is present in a concentration at or below the sweetness recognition threshold.