Researchers from Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) in collaboration with KK University have developed a novel nanotechnology-based method to enhance sweetness production in Stevia plants. The team successfully increased the production of steviol glycosides, the compounds responsible for Stevia’s sweetness, by using polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles.
This pioneering research was published in the international scientific journal Discover Plants (Springer Nature) under the title “Polyvinylpyrrolidone Coated Silver Nanoparticles Enhance In Vitro Growth and Steviol Glycoside Production in Stevia Rebaudiana.” The study appears in Discover Plants volume 3, article 491, accessible via DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-026-00955-9.
Research Team and Leadership
The research was led by Prof. Nitish Kumar from CUSB’s Department of Biotechnology. The team includes Pritam Biswas and Ankita Kumari from the same department, Prof. Amiya Priyam from the Department of Chemistry, and Sanjeev Kumar from KK University’s Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.
Significance and Applications
This study demonstrates that targeted use of coated silver nanoparticles can effectively increase steviol glycoside production in in vitro conditions for Stevia rebaudiana plants. Given Stevia’s recognition as a natural, zero-calorie sugar substitute, this advancement holds significant promise for the food industry and diabetes management sectors.
The findings open new possibilities in agricultural biotechnology and nanotechnology to boost commercially important secondary metabolites in medicinal and agriculturally valuable plants by exploiting interactions between plants and nanoparticles. This research marks an important step towards enhancing the production and utilization of natural sweeteners through combined biotechnological and nanotechnological approaches.
NIRF 151-200Central University of South BiharGaya, BiharAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF5.0 (1 review)View details
NIRF #14 AgricultureDr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture UniversityPusa, Samastipur, BiharAdmission: CUET UG (through ICAR UG counselling), ICAR AIEEA PG, GAT-BEst. 1905 · 2063 acresView detailsMGCU
Central UniversityMahatma Gandhi Central UniversityMotihari, BiharAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 2016View detailsNU
Central UniversityNalanda UniversityRajgir, BiharAdmission: Own Entrance, NET/JRFEst. 2010View detailsUniversity Leadership Appreciation
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh, Registrar Prof. Narendra Kumar Rana, and the Dean of the School of Earth, Biological and Environmental Sciences Prof. Rizwanul Haq congratulated the research team for their successful efforts and appreciated their work.
