Optimisation of novel method for the extraction of steviosides from Stevia rebaudiana leaves

► Natural sweeteners are urgently required to substitute table sugars to contain prevalence of obesity. ► Enzymatic extraction of stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana leaves has been optimized to progress its yield. ► Extraction of stevioside from leaves exhibited increase in yield (35 times) vs control experiments. ► Response surface methodology (RSM) optimization resulted in a three times yield enhancement of stevioside. ► Enzyme assisted extraction considered green versus conventional methods of stevioside extraction.