ID :
66455
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 20:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/66455
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MARDI`S RESEARCH ON STEVIA AS ALTERNATIVE TO SUGAR ONGOING
KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Agricultural Research and
Development Institute (Mardi) is still looking for the most suitable method to
be used in stevia plantation before it can be commercialised as an alternative
to sugar, the Lower House of Parliament was told Thursday.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Rohani Karim said
Mardi's research and development (R&D) on the plant was still ongoing especially
in terms of its suitability, agronomy, engineering technology, management and
cost benefits.
"We (ministry) want to make sure that we can really benefit from it," she
said in reply to MP Dr Che Rosli Che Mat during question time Thursday.
Rohani said the initial research study on stevia was expected to be
completed by the end of the year.
She also reiterated that stevia extract, known as Steviosit and
Revadiosit A had been on the market and used by a local company as sweetener.
The crude extracts, however, were brought in from China.
"Stevia is a non-caloric herb with extremely sweet taste which has been used
as an alternative to sugar, especially by diabetics. Its sweetening power is 300
times superior to sugar," Rohani said.
At present, she said there were three private-operated stevia plantation in
Malaysia, namely in Muazzam Shah, Pahang; Padang Terap in Kedah and Muar, Johor.
She said one major problem identified in stevia plantation was that it
needed more light than what Malaysia could possibly offer.
"The problem now is that we have to find the most suitable variation or
other plantation method like using suitable lamps as the plant needs more than
13 hours of normal daylight a day to grow," she said.
Rohani said Mardi was also in the midst of identifying suitable machinery
for harvesting purposes as stevia leaves needed to be personally picked just
like the tea leaves.
"Right now the research is ongoing. We do not want to recommend it to
anybody yet because there is so much more to be studied, she said.
To MP Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli's supplementary question about the side-effects
of stevia consumption, Rohani said it could cause hypoglycemia if taken
continuously.
-- BERNAMA
Development Institute (Mardi) is still looking for the most suitable method to
be used in stevia plantation before it can be commercialised as an alternative
to sugar, the Lower House of Parliament was told Thursday.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Rohani Karim said
Mardi's research and development (R&D) on the plant was still ongoing especially
in terms of its suitability, agronomy, engineering technology, management and
cost benefits.
"We (ministry) want to make sure that we can really benefit from it," she
said in reply to MP Dr Che Rosli Che Mat during question time Thursday.
Rohani said the initial research study on stevia was expected to be
completed by the end of the year.
She also reiterated that stevia extract, known as Steviosit and
Revadiosit A had been on the market and used by a local company as sweetener.
The crude extracts, however, were brought in from China.
"Stevia is a non-caloric herb with extremely sweet taste which has been used
as an alternative to sugar, especially by diabetics. Its sweetening power is 300
times superior to sugar," Rohani said.
At present, she said there were three private-operated stevia plantation in
Malaysia, namely in Muazzam Shah, Pahang; Padang Terap in Kedah and Muar, Johor.
She said one major problem identified in stevia plantation was that it
needed more light than what Malaysia could possibly offer.
"The problem now is that we have to find the most suitable variation or
other plantation method like using suitable lamps as the plant needs more than
13 hours of normal daylight a day to grow," she said.
Rohani said Mardi was also in the midst of identifying suitable machinery
for harvesting purposes as stevia leaves needed to be personally picked just
like the tea leaves.
"Right now the research is ongoing. We do not want to recommend it to
anybody yet because there is so much more to be studied, she said.
To MP Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli's supplementary question about the side-effects
of stevia consumption, Rohani said it could cause hypoglycemia if taken
continuously.
-- BERNAMA