by Thom King, Icon Foods, Chief Innovations Officer/Food Scientist
In an era where health and wellness take center stage, the quest for sugar alternatives has led to remarkable advancements in food science. One noteworthy performer in this field is Icon Foods’ SteviaSweet™ RA99M, an innovative blend of steviol glycosides, specifically Rebaudioside A (Reb A) and Rebaudioside M (Reb M). This blend is available in both conventional and organic forms, and it is gaining rapid attention for its ability to enhance the formulation of better-for-you foods and beverages—particularly targeted toward consumers aiming to minimize added sugars while still enjoying sweetness.
What Are Steviol Glycosides, Anyway?
To fully appreciate what makes RA99M so unique, it’s essential to understand steviol glycosides. These natural compounds are derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, offering a sweetness that sets them apart from traditional sugar. Unlike standard sugars, which can lead to spikes in blood glucose levels and contribute to weight gain, steviol glycosides provide a sweet sensation with zero calories or carbs. This characteristic makes them an attractive choice for formulators targeting consumers seeking to cut down on sugar, manage weight, embrace a GLP-1 lifestyle or simply lean into healthier options.
The Winning Combination: Rebaudioside A and Rebaudioside M
So, what truly distinguishes RA99M? It’s all about the harmonious blend of its components. Rebaudioside A has been celebrated for its remarkable sweetness—estimated to be 50 to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar—paired with a clean, pleasant taste and minimal off-notes, thanks to advancements in stevia technology. However, the emerging star, Reb M, is quickly becoming a favorite for its exceptionally smooth flavor profile. Not only is it sweeter than Reb A, but it also boasts an even milder and more pleasant taste, making it a fantastic choice for food and beverage formulations that demand a sugar-like sweetness without any unpleasant aftertastes.
By combining these two steviol glycosides, RA99M creates a well-rounded sweetness that enhances a diverse range of food and beverages–from carbonated drinks and baked goods to smoothies and sauces–resulting in products that satisfy cravings for sweetness while supporting clean label objectives.
Perfect for Low- to No-Added-Sugar Formulations
One of the standout benefits of RA99M lies in its compatibility with products that aim for low to no added sugar. Here’s how it excels in the formulation of better-for-you foods:
Caloric Control: With the incorporation of RA99M, formulators and manufacturers alike can create products that deliver sweetness without the caloric burden associated with sugar. This is particularly beneficial for individuals monitoring their caloric intake, using anti-obesity medications like GLP-1 agonists, or striving for weight loss.
Blood Sugar Friendly: For those consumers managing diabetes or anyone interested in regulating their blood sugar levels, RA99M offers a sweet solution that does not provoke spikes in glucose levels. This quality makes it a safe and suitable choice for a wider array of consumers.
Versatility in Applications: The blend is effective in both cold and hot applications, allowing it to be used in everything from refreshing iced teas to delectable baked goods. This versatility empowers food developers to experiment and craft a variety of products that align with consumer demands for healthier alternatives.
Organic and Conventional Offerings: The dual availability of both conventional and organic versions of RA99M enables brands to cater to the diverse preferences of consumers. As the trend toward organic products continues to grow, having this option can be a significant advantage in appealing to health-conscious shoppers.
Clean Label Appeal: Today’s consumers along with the Department of Health and Human Service are increasingly focused on transparency regarding the ingredients in food. With RA99M being a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant, it perfectly fits the “clean label” trend that many brands are striving to achieve.
Now that we have talked about the why behind RA99M, let’s dive into the science of taste and how RA99M just might be the sweetening system you have been looking for.
RA99M functions as a sweetness modulator primarily due to its unique composition of Rebaudioside A (Reb A) and Rebaudioside M (Reb M), both of which interact with the sweet taste receptors located on the tongue. Understanding how these compounds influence sweetness perception requires a closer look at the science behind taste receptor activation and modulation.
Mechanism of Action
- Taste Receptors and Sweetness Perception:
The human tongue is equipped with taste buds that contain specialized cells known as taste receptor cells. These cells express sweet taste receptors, specifically the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors, which are part of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. When a sweet substance, such as glucose or steviol glycosides, binds to these receptors, it initiates a signaling cascade that ultimately results in the perception of sweetness.
- Interaction with Receptors:
RA99M, which contains both Reb A and Reb M, binds to the T1R2/T1R3 receptor complex. Reb A is known for its potent sweetness, while Reb M offers a smoother and more rounded taste profile. The combination of these two compounds allows for a more balanced activation of the sweet receptors, enhancing the overall sweetness perception while potentially reducing any bitterness that may accompany other sweeteners.
- Sweetness Modulation:
The concept of sweetness modulation refers to the ability of certain sweeteners to not only provide sweetness but also to enhance or modify the perception of sweetness in a given formulation. RA99M acts as a sweetness modulator by influencing the activation of taste receptors in a way that can amplify the sweet taste without the need for high sugar concentrations. This is particularly beneficial in products aimed at reducing added sugars, as it allows manufacturers to achieve desirable sweetness levels with minimal caloric impact.
Above is a chart illustrating the sweetness curves of sucrose, Rebaudioside A, Rebaudioside M, and the RA99M blend. It highlights how:
- Sucrose increases linearly in perceived sweetness.
- Reb A has an earlier sweetness peak but can become bitter at higher concentrations.
- Reb M shows a smoother, more sucrose-like profile.
- RA99M blend balances both, aiming to closely mimic the sweetness curve of sucrose with less bitterness.
Why RA99M is Effective
- Synergistic Effects:
The synergy between Reb A and Reb M contributes to a more complex flavor profile. This synergy can lead to an enhanced sweetness perception that is more similar to that of sucrose, making it appealing to consumers who may be sensitive to the taste of other sweeteners.
- Reduced Bitter Aftertaste:
One of the common drawbacks of many non-nutritive sweeteners is the bitter aftertaste that can arise from their interaction with taste receptors. However, the specific blend of Reb A and Reb M in RA99M can help mask or minimize these off-flavors, leading to a more pleasant taste experience. - RA99M – Sugar’s Best Friend:
RA99M sings in sweet harmony with sugar as it effectively pairs with sugar to amplify its sweetness perception while allowing food formulators to reduce the overall amount of added sugar in their products. We’ve been over this, but it works by binding to the sweetness receptors on the tongue, enhancing the sweet taste experience without contributing significant calories. When combined with sugar, RA99M boosts the sweetness profile, making it possible to achieve the desired flavor with lower sugar levels. This synergy not only helps in reducing the caloric content of food products but also addresses government and consumer demand for healthier options without sacrificing taste. As a result, RA99M serves as a valuable tool for food formulators and manufacturers aiming to create delicious, lower-sugar formulations that appeal to health-conscious consumers.
SteviaSweet™ RA99M by Icon Foods is an ideal choice for formulating better-for-you foods and beverages, catering to the growing demand for healthier alternatives without compromising on taste.
Since 1999 Icon Foods has been your reliable supply chain partner for sweeteners, fibers, sweetening systems, inclusions and sweetness modulators.
Reach out to your Icon Foods representative for SteviaSweet™ RA99M samples, documentation and formulations guidance.
Taste the Icon difference.
