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Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Hemsl. (Compositae), herein referred to as Stevia rebaudiana, is a plant native to Paraguay, and the plant has long been used as a sweetening agent. The worldwide demand for high potency sweeteners is increasing and, with blending of different sweeteners becoming a standard practice, the demand for alternatives is expected to increase. The sweet herb of Paraguay, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, produces an alternative sweetener with the added advantage that Stevia sweeteners are natural plant products. The sweetening compound, stevioside, has been recovered from the plant, and it has 300 times the sweetness of sucrose. In addition, the sweet steviol glycosides have functional and sensory properties superior to those of many high potency sweeteners. Extracts from the leaves of Stevia are commonly known and have been used as a natural sweetener in Asia for many years. Studies have demonstrated that extracts from the leaves of Stevia can have a variety of beneficial therapeutic effects including antibiotic properties especially against E.Coli, vasodilatation properties especially in the kidney, anti-hypertensive effects, beneficial effects on pancreatic beta cells, and enhancing the secretion of insulin. Stevioside has the disadvantage that it is sparingly soluble in water, so that it is difficult to dissolve in foods. Also, it has slow latent sweetness, strong bitterness, and an unpleasant after-taste.

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