STEVIA: AN EMERGING NATURAL SWEETENER FOR FOOD INDUSTRY
About Authors:
Singh Asheesh1*, Bajpai Dinesh1, Singour P.K.2
1Centre for Research & Development, Ipca Laboratories Ltd; Sejavta; Ratlam (MP) - 457002
2Faculty of pharmacy VNS Institute, Neelbud Bhopal (MP) - 462042
*asheesh_parihar@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Stevia rebaudiana is a well known medicinal herb contains antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-yeast, cardiotonic diuretic and hypoglycaemic properties. This herb has been used in Ayurveda in India since centuries. Stevia is a perennial herb belonging to the family Asteraceae, is one of the most valuable tropical medicinal plant. All over world there is increasing tendency towards consuming natural products and thus living a natural life and. At the same time our life styles have changed so much over the last 4-5 decades that sweeteners (either high calorie natural or proceeded sugars or high potency and low calorie sweeteners such as Aspartame) have become integral part of our natural daily diet. Stevia is a new crop in that is gaining very high popularity amongst all type of sweetener users as most ideal substitute for sugar. Sugar is basically a chemical that has grown in market over last many years. But in this age of changing life styles and people becoming more conscious of their health, the worldwide sugar consumption is going down and is getting replaced by low calorie sweeteners. Many of these Sweeteners are complex chemicals or many times naturals as well.