Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a native plant from
the Amambay Mountain chain (Paraguay) and has been used
as sweetener over centuries by the Guarani people (who call
it ka'a he'ê, sweet herb). Its leaves are around 10-30 times
sweeter than sugar. Its sweet taste is due to steviol glycosides,
mainly Stevioside and Rebaudioside A. Furthermore it contains
flavonoids, phenolic acids, etc.
ANAGALIDE, SA has kept opened a R+D+i program about extraction
processes, purification and applications of glycosides and
active components from Stevia since several years ago.
In 2004, a part of this program changed into a IBEROEKA
Project IBK-04-377 (STEVIOSIDE).
Around the middle of the 2006, ANAGALIDE, SA took part in
the foundation of the European
Stevia Association (EUSTAS).
Stevia's possible applications
Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications
Natural antioxidant
In diabetic patients (no insulin dependant), helps in the
control of glucose levels in blood
In obesity treatment, decreases anxiety for food and the
wish of sugar or fat intake
Mild diuretic (it helps to reduce the uric acid levels)
Beneficial for patients of hypertension
Fights fatigue and depression
Improves gastrointestinal functions
Improves resistance to flu and colds
Treatment for burns, wounds, eczema, seborrhoea, psoriasis,
dermatitis, ...
Improves cognitive functions (DSM patent)
Food applications
Sweetener for food, coffee, teas, gums, candy, etc.
Replacement of sugar in light drinks, sauces and pastry
making
» See Stevia
recipes
Feed applications
Feed flavouring (for farm animals and pets)
It increases the production in cattle, pigs and poultry,
stimulating their appetite
Accelerates recovery after infectious processes
Improves meat taste and its quality (less exudation and
better conservation)
Decreases the number of broken eggs in layers and improves
the chicken meat quality
Prevents gizzard erosion and ulceration and growth depression
of chicks induced by stress and dietary histamine
Reduces mortality in fish farms, producing healthier fish
which is fresh for longer time
Cosmetics applications
Complement in cellulitis treatment
Mouth hygiene formulations (tooth pastes, mouthwashes, etc.)
It helps to clean spots, smoothes wrinkles and embellishes
the skin
» See Stevia
cosmetic applications
Agricultural applications
Promotes plant growth and productions
Prevents fruit fall before harvest time
Improves the taste and enlarges conservation of fruits and
vegetables
It makes plants more resistant
Improves soil quality
Environmental applications
It accelerates manure production (compost) from farming
waste
Decreases concentration of nitrates, dioxines, fertilisers
and pesticides in soil
Stevia legal status
JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives)
In 68th meeting (2007) the monograph (Steviol Glycosides)
was stated with a 95 % minimum of total Steviol Glycosides.
In 69th meeting (2008) Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) expressed
as Steviol was approved in 0-4 mg/kg body weight.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
In 2000 European Comission refused authorization for Stevia
rebaudiana as novel food, requested in 1997 by Prof.
Jan Geuns
In 2007 the European Stevia Association (EUSTAS) applied
for the authorization of Stevia rebaudiana as novel
food and steviol glycosides min. 95 % as intensive sweeteners
to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) too.
In August 2009, France approved provisionally the use of
Stevia sweeteners with 97 per cent purity rebaudioside A
(Reb A).
USA
As dietetic supplement until 2008. In the middle of the
2008, several companies have decided to utilize the GRAS
(Generally recognized as safe) self-affirmation route for
Rebaudioside A min. 97 %.
CANADA
Dietetic supplement.
MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay),
BOLIVIA, CHILE, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, PERU
Food additive.
AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND
Steviol glycosides are authorized as intensive sweeteners
(August 2008).
Other countries
Stevia extracts are authorized as sweeteners in Japan, China,
Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Israel,
...
)