Determination of steviol glycosides (e960)

Steviol glycosides are natural sweeteners extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana .
They include stevioside and rebaudioside A , which are known to have a sweetening power up to 300 times greater than sucrose. Used as an alternative to traditional sugars, they are incorporated into a wide range of food and nutraceutical products. Their dosage is essential to ensure regulatory compliance, ensure labeling transparency, and validate the nutritional claims of stevia-enriched formulations.

Analytical methods for the determination of steviol glycosides

The dosage is mainly based on high-precision chromatographic methods:

• HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) : reference method for separating and individually quantifying the different glycosides present in a stevia extract or formulation.
• LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry) : allows sensitive and specific detection, ideal for complex matrices such as beverages or enriched products.

These approaches ensure reliable and reproducible results, comparable to those used for other sweeteners and bioactive compounds, such as theobromine or trigonelline .

Industrial applications and regulatory issues

The dosage of steviol glycosides applies to several sectors:

• Food industry : quality control of beverages, desserts, dairy products, confectionery and light formulations.
• Nutraceuticals : standardization of food supplements and stevia extracts intended for weight management or glycemic control.
• Plants and natural extracts : quantification of active ingredients in raw stevia leaves and extracts.
• Regulation : compliance with the limits set by EFSA and European directives governing the use of steviol glycosides (E960) in food.

This analysis is complementary to other nutritional and regulatory controls, such as the dosage of total carbohydrates or the calculation of calories .

Matrices analyzed for steviol glycosides

YesWeLab's partner laboratories perform assays on a wide variety of matrices: raw stevia extracts, sweeteners in powder or granular form, dietary supplements, functional beverages, and processed products enriched with steviol glycosides. Each matrix requires specific preparation to ensure representative and standard-compliant results.

Quality and traceability issues

The concentration of steviol glycosides varies depending on the Stevia rebaudiana , growing conditions, harvesting, and extraction processes. Accurate dosing is therefore essential to: verify the actual rebaudioside A or stevioside content, ensure consistency between batches, justify “no added sugar” or “light” claims, and meet nutrition labeling standards and consumer expectations for transparency. This approach is comparable to the controls carried out for other functional ingredients, such as theanine or tryptamine .

YesWeLab's expertise in the determination of steviol glycosides

YesWeLab works with a network of more than 200 partner laboratories in France and Europe, accredited to ISO 17025 and COFRAC. Our experts assist manufacturers in choosing the most appropriate method, depending on the matrix and objectives: quality control, regulatory compliance, or development of new formulations. Thanks to our digital platform, you benefit from a simplified service: online quotes, real-time tracking of your samples, and rapid receipt of results. Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, distributors, and design offices have trusted us to manage their analyses.

Take action

Do you want to ensure the compliance of your stevia extracts, supplements, or food products enriched with natural sweeteners? Entrust your samples to YesWeLab for reliable and accurate steviol glycoside (E960) testing. Request a quote online now for your analyses.