Actions and applications of stevia extract

Stevia extract is extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. The main active ingredient is stevioside, which is used as a sweetener to lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, promote metabolism and treat excessive stomach acidity. Stevia is native to Paraguay and Brazil in South America and has been used by the inhabitants of Paraguay to make sweet tea for over 400 years.

I. The main components of stevia extract

The main components of stevia extract are stevioside, steviolbioside, rebaudioside A (R-A), rebaudioside B (R-B), rebaudioside C (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C), rebaudioside D (R-C) and rebaudioside D (R-C). rebaudiosideD (R-D), rebaudiosideE (R-E), dulcosideA (Dul-A).

II. Effects of stevia extract

Stevia extract does not contain any calories and is purely natural. However, the definition of "natural" and labelling requirements may vary from country to country. Stevia extract is also safe and its safety has been thoroughly reviewed and scientifically proven by many international organisations, including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There have been no side effects or allergies associated with the addition of stevia extract to food and beverages.

Studies have shown that stevia extract does not affect blood sugar levels or interfere with insulin. Stevia extract does not contain any calories, giving diabetics more flexibility in budgeting their total calorie intake and helping with weight management. Regardless of how stevia extract is consumed, it has no effect on the glycaemic index GI. Stevia extract can also be used in a variety of foods and beverages, individual uses and levels of use may vary depending on the country. There are synergistic effects when stevia extract is used in combination with other sweeteners.

Application areas of stevia extract

1、Food industry: food, drinks etc.

2. Nutraceuticals: lowering blood sugar and blood pressure levels

Research on the antibacterial effect of stevia extract shows that it has good antibacterial properties against E. coli, S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis, significantly stronger than potassium sorbate. The inhibitory effect of Stevia rebaudiana extract was stronger under weak acidic conditions, and the inhibitory effect of Stevia rebaudiana extract on E. coli was significantly reduced by UV light. There was no effect of temperature on the antibacterial effect of Stevia rebaudiana extract. Overall, the antibacterial activity of stevia extract is stable and less influenced by environmental factors. If stevia extract is applied to food preservation, it can be adapted to different food processing environments, thus extending the shelf life of food.

As the level of social and economic development continues to rise and people become more aware of healthy eating, there is an increasing tendency to use natural preservative and antibacterial agents in food processing and storage. In this study, the antibacterial effects of stevia extract on E. coli, S. aureus and B. subtilis were investigated using potassium sorbate as a control, and it was found that stevia extract had strong antibacterial activity and good thermal stability. As a natural antibacterial substance, it must have a broad development prospect.