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For health and safety concerns, traditional high‐calorie sweeteners and artificial sweeteners are gradually replaced in food industries by natural and low‐calorie sweeteners. As a natural and high‐quality sugar substitute, steviol glycosides (SvGls) are continually scrutinized regarding their safety and application. Recently, the cultivation of organic stevia has been increasing in many parts of Europe and Asia, and it is obvious that there is a vast market for sugar substitutes in the future. Rebaudioside A, the main component of SvGls, is gradually accepted by consumers due to its safe, zero calories, clear, and sweet taste with no significant undesirable characteristics. Hence, it can be used in various foods or dietary supplements as a sweetener. In addition, rebaudioside A has been demonstrated to have many physiological functions, such as antihypertension, anti‐diabetes, and anticaries. But so far, there are few comprehensive reviews of rebaudioside A. In this review article, we discuss the physicochemical properties, metabolic process, safety, regulatory, health benefits, and biosynthetic pathway of rebaudioside A and summarize the modification methods and state‐of‐the‐art production and purification techniques of rebaudioside A. Furthermore, the current problems hindering the future production and application of rebaudioside A are analyzed, and suggestions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locally processed rice by small to medium scale processors are still not fully appreciated due to low quality. Paddy rice de-husking cum polishing machine was designed, fabricated and evaluated for its performance efficiency. The effects of paddy moisture content, speed of rotation, and polishing time on the machine performance and milling properties were evaluated. The economic analysis of the machine was also evaluated. Moisture content and speed of rotation of the shaft had effect on the throughput capacity (TC), head rice yield (HRY), percentage broken rice (BR), but not on the percentage un-dehusked (PUD) in production of brown rice. The moisture content, speed of rotation, and polishing time had effect on the BR and PUD, but not on the HRY in the production of polished rice. The minimum and maximum values for brown rice were TC (25.38 and 41.25 kghr-1 ), PUD (15.77% and 46.42%), HRY (50.47% and 67.75%), BR (2.17% and 12.03%). Minimum and maximum values for polished rice were PUD (1.12% and 7.34%), HRY (78.97% and 90.50%), BR (2.77% and 10.41%). Economic evaluation shows that the developed dehusker cum polisher is beneficial and can be adopted by small to medium scale rice processors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locust beans dehulling machine was design, develop, and evaluated. The machine was evaluated at different speed and boiling time for its performance efficiency. The results showed that with increase in the boiling time from the first to second hr the throughput capacity, qualitative, and quantitative dehulling efficiency increased but from the second to the fourth hr of boiling, it decreased. Whereas as the dehulling speed increase the throughput capacity increased but the quantitative and qualitative dehulling efficiency decreased. Highest throughput capacity and the least labor requirement were recorded at 1 hr boiling, whereas highest quantitative and qualitative dehulling efficiency was recorded at 2 hr of boiling. The boiling time and dehulling speed significantly affects the throughput capacity, quantitative and qualitative dehulling efficiencies of the dehuller, but does not affect labor requirement. The economic analysis reveals that developed dehuller can be useful for small to medium scale locust bean processing industries. Practical applications: The developed dehuller is relevant in the dehulling of boiled locust bean seed. This would, therefore, combat the challenges surrounding locust bean processing especially with the rural women dwellers and commercial producers. The dehuller would, therefore, reduce the time consumption and drudgery associated with the processing of locust bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]