chinasep.

com 1/11

STEVIA EXTRACTION
TECHNOLOGY AND
PRODUCTION PROCESS

Preparation of stevia extract generally includes the following

steps: extraction, pretreatment, separation, and purification.
SEPPRO specializes in the extraction and separation of stevia. We
have designed and developed a batch of adsorption resins and ion
exchange resins for stevioside extraction. These new resins can
improve the adsorption rate, purity, and transmittance of stevioside.
In addition, these resins have good regeneration performance, the reuse
degree is very high, can effectively reduce the cost of the resin.
 chinasep.com 2/11

In particular, we introduce the continuous ion separation technology in

the process of stevioside separation, which can make the stevia
production process automated, continuous, modular, and reduce the
impact of man-made error operation.
In addition, the technology can also reduce resin column area, reduce
the use of resin and waste liquid emissions, improve the output rate of
stevia, and reduce production costs.

Process flow chart for preparation of

stevia extract
 chinasep.com 3/11

Seppro specializes in the separation and

extraction of stevioside extracts (step 2-6), and we
provide you with a leading technology solution
for stevioside extract. 
–By Seppro technician

STEP 1: Obtain Stevioside

Extract
Stevia was soaked in the process of flocculation, filtration and so on,
and the extract containing stevia sugar was finally obtained.
 chinasep.com 4/11

Seppro does not provide the technology or equipment

for this process. If you need to, we can recommend
professional companies in the industry. 

–By Seppro technician

STEP 2：Pretreatment,
Preliminary Desalination And
Decolorization Of Stevia
Extract
Special attention is given to: 
1. When the transmittance of the material is not up to standard or
reaches the feed specification, the resin needs to be activated. 
2. Observe if there is any white sediment in the resin column 
3. Observe the breeding situation of resin microorganism, and
when it appears, it is necessary to treat with germicidal bacteria in
time 
4. Regular cleaning of sugar canisters to avoid the spread of
microorganisms

Process of pretreatment
The stevioside extract from the previous process is entered into the
resin bed containing anionic resin through a self-adjusting valve, in
which the initial decolorization is carried out.
then the resin bed containing semi-negative and the half-positive resin
is entered in a series of channels and after further desalination and
decolorization in this bed, Enter the resin bed containing macroporous
supersaturated resin through a series of channels.
finally, enter the pretreatment liquid storage tank through the self-
adjusting valve.
 chinasep.com 5/11

When the resin becomes saturated, stop running the zone. At the same
time, the resin of this zone was treated and regenerated.

Operating rules and

procedures for resin
treatment
Before treatment, water extrusion is carried out and a salt-free valve is
opened. The salt-free water enters into the anion resin bed through the
Flowmeter, enters the semi-anionic resin bed through the series.
then enters the macroporous supersaturated resin bed through the
series, and the stevioside extract in the bed is squeezed into the
pretreatment liquid storage tank by water.
4 hours later taste the discharge without sweetness can close the salt-
free water .

Step 3: SD-C1 macroporous

resin was used to adsorb
stevioside.
Download ：Properties and Parameters of SD-C1 Resin

Principle and Function

With the selective adsorption of macroporous resin, the macromolecular
sugar in the pretreated solution was adsorbed, and the remaining water,
salt, and impurities were discharged into the sewage pipe.

Technological Process
 chinasep.com 6/11

The pretreatment solution enters the resin bed of the macroporous

adsorption process through pump and Flowmeter.

After full adsorption of stevioside in the resin bed, some stevioside liquid
and water continue to adsorb from the pipeline into another resin bed.
The remaining part of the water and impurities then pass through the
pipe into the receiving bed.
The liquid in the receiving bed is poured into another adsorption group
for adsorption, and the above adsorption process is repeated.

STEP 4: Desorption of Stevia

Adsorbed on Macroporous
Resin By Ethanol
Operating rules and procedures for
desorption of macroporous
supersaturated resin
1. Loose.
The receiving bed is pressurized, the two beds are opened in series, the
open bed is emptied, and the pressure of the receiving bed is
automatically emptied from the series into the bed, forming a bubbling
loose resin, which stops after about 30min.
2. Water squeeze
Open the salt-free valve and enter the macroporous resin bed through
the Flowmeter at the speed of 15m3/h, through the series into another
adsorption resin bed, and finally into the receiving bed. 2 hours later,
taste the second resin bed outlet material liquid, if there is no sweet
taste, the water is finished.
3. Alkali washing
 chinasep.com 7/11

With the opening of the alkali valve, 0.4% / 0.5% alkali enters the first
resin bed at the rate of the 5.4m3/h flow meter.
With the opening of the alkali valve, 0.4% / 0.5% alkali enters the first
resin bed at the rate of 5.4m3/h flow meter and passes through the
series into the second resin bed. The resulting wastewater passes
through the lower discharge of the second resin bed into the sewage
treatment. After about 3 hours, the alkali was stopped. Open the salt
water to wash at the speed of 10m3/h, after washing the waste alkali
from the second resin bed through the PH meter into the waste alkali
recovery line, when the water washing to PH=8~ 9 (about 3 hours),
alkali washing.
4. pickling
When the acid valve is opened, 0.4% / 0.5% acid enters the first resin
bed at the rate of the 5.4m3/h flow meter, passes through the series into
the second resin bed, and the resulting wastewater enters the sewage
treatment through the lower discharge port of the second resin bed.
After about 40min, the alkali was stopped. Open the salt water to wash
at the speed of 10m3/h, after washing the waste alkali from the second
resin bed through the PH meter into the waste alkali recovery line, when
the water washing to PH=5~ 6 (about 2 hours), pickling finished.
5. loose again
6. Alcoholysis
When the alcohol valve was opened, 70% ethanol was entered into the
first resin bed by flow meter at the speed of 6.4m3/h, and into the
second resin bed through series, the sugar content of macroporous
adsorption resin was desorbed, and then ethanol was stopped at about
30min.
The wastewater enters the sewage treatment through the lower
discharge. Open the salt-free valve and water squeeze the sugar in the
resin bed after ethanol desorption at the speed of 5m3/h.
At the same time, when the solid content of the second resin bed
effluent “= 0.5%, the material liquid enters the desorption liquid storage
tank.” When the ethanol content in 8%-9%, stop collecting desorption
solution, pour into the receiving tank to collect the remaining sugar
 chinasep.com 8/11

liquid, about 10-15min after tasting, if there is no sweet taste, stop water,
loose again.

Inspection item and process index

Saturation:exit = Inlet

Analytical solution: solid content > = 0.5%

Receiving solution: 8% 

ethanolAlkali wash: PH=8~9

After pickling: PH=5~6

Ethanol concentration: 70 / 72%

STEP 5: Desalination And

Decolorization Of The
Stevioside Extract by Ion
Exchange Resin
Download: Properties and Parameters of SD-C3 Resin

Download: Properties and Parameters of SD-D1 Resin

Principle and Function

The sugar solution was further refined desalted and decolorized to
increase the concentration and transmittance of stevia solution.

Operation Mode
In this process, there are 12 ion resin beds, including 6 anion resin beds
and 6 cation resin beds. Divided into three regions, each district four,
according to Yang-Yin-Yang-Yin order. Run one zone every 18 hours,
run one zone when putting into operation normally, and regenerate the
resin in the other two zones.

Technological Process
 chinasep.com 9/11

The desorbing pump enters a refining process at the speed of 1.9m3/h

at the speed of self-adjusting valve and Flowmeter.
first into the 1 # bed containing cation resin, then in series into the 2 #
bed containing anion resin, and then into the 3 # bed with cation resin,
Finally, the anion resin 4 # bed was put into the 4 # bed, and the
decolorization was carried out in the four beds.
The produced wastewater and a small amount of sugar enter the
receiving bed, the wastewater enters the sewage treatment from the
bottom outlet, and a small amount of sugar is absorbed by macroporous
resin. 
After about 5 hours, the fourth bed (4 # bed) was sampled and
analyzed. When the solid content was ≥ 0.5%, a refined liquid was
collected by choking head to a refined liquid storage tank or went
directly into a carbon removal process. 
After 18 hours, the feed resin was absorbed and saturated, and the
desorption solution was poured into the second zone, and the resin was
regenerated in the first zone.
After 18 hours, the second zone is saturated, the resin is regenerated,
the feed is poured into the three zones.
the three zones are saturated after 18 hours, and the resin in the first
zone is regenerated, and the feed begins (the feeding sequence is 3 ~ 4
~ 1 ~ 2 / 2), and the first two resin beds are regenerated each time.
Each time the two unregenerated resin beds are put into the first two
first feed. ), so as to realize the three-zone circulating feed.

STEP 6: Regeneration Of
Resin With Dilute
Hydrochloric Acid And
Sodium hydroxide Solution
Generally, the resin is in the saturated state after the six groups of
desorption solution of the macroporous adsorption process run in a
 chinasep.com 10/11

single zone of the refining process, and the resin needs to be

regenerated.
During the treatment, first, use alcohol sugar liquid extrusion. Open the
1 # bed alcohol sugar liquid feed valve to feed the alcohol sugar solution
at the speed of 0.8m3/h, and then squeeze the water.
The salt-free water valve is opened, the salt water is entered into the
resin bed at the speed of 6m3/h by the Flowmeter.
and the refined liquid is put into the refining liquid storage tank after
water extrusion. After about one hour, the sample is analyzed from the
outlet of No. 2 bed. When the solid content is ≤ 0.5%, it stops collecting
a refined liquid and begins to “tail off” the collection of alcohol sugar
solution to the alcohol sugar liquid storage tank.
1 hour later, when the ethanol content of the outlet of the 4 # tube is 8-
9%, the collection of alcohol sugar liquid is stopped and poured into the
receiving bed.
Continue to squeeze until you taste the 4 # bed outlet without
sweetness. Then loose, open 1 ~ 2 # resin bed manhole cover with air
pressure fully loose the bed resin.
Finally, open the salt-free valve leading to the bottom of the bed to let
the water slowly overflow from the bottom of the bed through the
manhole on the top of the bed at the speed of 10m3/h, fully reverse
washing the resin until the water is clear, about 2 hours later, the
backwash is finished.

Procedure for regeneration of cationic

resins
1. pickling
After sealing, the valve was opened, 4.5% of the hydrochloric acid
entered into the resin bed at the rate of 5.3m3/h, and the wastewater
produced by the flowmeter entered the resin bed through the lower
outlet into the sewage treatment.
After about 3 hours, the acid intake was stopped, and after 1 hour of
bubble acid, the salt-free valve was opened.
 chinasep.com 11/11

No salt water was washed at the speed of 20m3/h, the waste acid after
washing was entered into the waste acid recovery line by ph meter,
when the water washing reached ph=5~ 6 h (about 6 h), the waste acid
was washed into the waste acid recovery line.
2. alkaline washing
Open the alkali valve, 1.5% of the alkali through the Flowmeter into the
resin bed at the speed of the wastewater into the resin bed through the
lower discharge into the sewage treatment.
about 3 hours later stop entering the alkali, 1 hour after the salt-free
valve, open the salt-free valve. No salt water is washed at the speed of
20m3/h, and the waste alkali after washing is entered into the waste
alkali recovery line by ph meter. When the water is washed to ph=8~ 9
(about 10 h), the alkali is washed.

Inspection item and process index

Primary refining liquid: solid content ≥ 4.5% 

Ph=5~6Tail removal content: ≤ 0.5%

STEP 7: Refining
The stevioside extract was refined by vacuum kettle, evaporator and
condensing device.



Seppro does not offer technology or equipment at this
stage, and we can recommend professional
companies in the industry if you need it. 

–By Seppro technician