Monk Fruit Extract (Mogroside V) vs. Stevia Extract (Rebaudioside A 98%)
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Monk fruit (luo han guo, Siraitia grosvenorii) extract derives its sweetness from mogrosides, a group of triterpene glycosides concentrated from the fruit's flesh. The dominant compound, Mogroside V, is roughly 250 times sweeter than sucrose, non-caloric, and has zero glycemic impact -- though most commercial "monk fruit sweetener" products blend it with erythritol or another bulking agent rather than selling pure mogroside extract.
High-purity Stevia extract is a non-caloric steviol glycoside isolated from Stevia rebaudiana. It is 250–350 times sweeter than sucrose with zero calories, zero glycemic impact, and heat stability up to 200°C.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
~250 (250x sucrose, for Mogroside V specifically) | 250 – 350 (250x – 350x Sucrose) |
|
Energy / Calories
|
0 (Non-caloric) kcal | 0 kcal |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
0 (Zero insulin spike) | 0 (Zero glycemic impact) |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not established by JECFA/EFSA (unlike stevia's formal ADI) | 4.0 mg / kg body weight (as steviol equivalents) |
|
Sweetening Compound
|
Mogroside V (dominant of several mogrosides present) | — |
|
US Regulatory Status
|
GRAS (FDA, since 2011) | — |
|
EU Regulatory Status
|
Not approved (Novel Food dossier still pending as of 2023 EFSA review) | — |
|
Typical Commercial Form
|
Usually blended with erythritol or another bulking agent, not sold as pure mogroside extract | — |
|
Total Carbohydrates
|
— | 0.0 g |
|
Net Effective Carbohydrates
|
— | 0.0 g |
|
Molecular Composition
|
— | Diterpene Glycoside (Rebaudioside A) |
|
Dental Caries Risk
|
— | Non-Cariogenic |
|
Thermal Stability
|
— | Stable up to 200°C (392°F) |