MORPHOLOGY, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA

Sugar related disorders are significant causes of global death among all age groups. The use of artificial sweetener as a sugar supplement is a common practices, but causes side effects especially on weight gain and heart related problems. The use of natural sweetener obtained from Stevia rebaudiana leaves has been practiced since 18th century and has gained more popularity in last two decades. The natural sugar supplement is of low calorie hence safe to be consumed. The chemical steviol glycosides mainly present in form of stevioside and rebaudioside in the leaves makes it commercialy significant as a natural sugar substitute. Besides it also contain nutrients, vitamins, fiber, volatile oil and thus thirty times sweeter than white sugar. The leaves also possess antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anticariogenic, antioxidant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and antitumor activities. The aim of this article is to project the economic value of S. rebaudiana leaves as natural sweetner and its potentiality as health-product. The study emphasize to enhance quality in leave composition using new genetic engineering and other biotechnological techiques with sustainable use and preservation. Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana, natural sweetener, chemical composition, medicinal use