LAUSR

ABSTRACT Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves consist of stevioside and rebaudioside-A (Reb-A). This research sought to improve extraction of target steviol glycosides from stevia leaf powder using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networking (ANN) under these independent variables: ethanol concentration, X1 (0–100%), extraction temperature, X2 (55–75°C), and extraction time, X3 (45–75 min). ANN outperformed as potential alternative to RSM in predicting optimum conditions. Maximum responses were obtained at 100% X1, 55°C X2, and 60 min X3. Heat reflux extraction proved superior to maceration extraction in terms of higher extraction yields with reduced energy consumption and CO2 emission.