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Low-Cost Production of Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Obesity Sweetener from Stevia Leaves by Diafiltration Membrane Process
Published in Sundergopal Sridhar, Membrane Technology, 2018
Shaik Nazia, Bukke Vani, Suresh K. Bhargava, Sundergopal Sridhar
Stevia rebaudiana, a new member species of Asteraceae family can grow up to 1 m height and bears 2–3 cm long, elliptical leaves in an alternate arrangement (Shizhen, 1995). Leaves are generally sessile, opposite lancoelate in shape and are serrated above the middle (Yadav et al., 2011). The plant has brittle stem with an extensive root system, and its flowers are of a smaller size (7–8 mm), white in color with a pale purple throat (Sivaram et al., 2003). The amount of steviol glycoside in different parts of the plant is found to decline in the following order: leaves > flower > stems > seeds > roots. The highest content of steviol glycosides is found in the upper young, actively growing shoot sections (Soejarto et al., 1983). Stevia leaves are thus a rich source of sweet steviol glycosides (SG), which are low-calorie, non-toxic and non-mutagenic in nature.
In vitro fermentation assay on the bifidogenic effect of steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana plant for the development of dietetic novel products
Published in Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 2023
Stevioside is a sweet glycoside extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. The high sweetness and potential therapeutic properties of S. rebaudiana leaves arouse economic and scientific interest in many countries.[22] The increase in health problems such as dental caries, obesity and diabetes related to the use of sucrose makes the use of sweetening compounds contained in the stevia plant widespread.[23–25]. Diterpenes (about 4–20% in dry leaves), called steviol glycosides, are low-calorie natural sweetener groups extracted from stevia. Diterpenes; are known as stevioside, steviolbioside, rebaudioside A, B, C, D, E, F, M and dulcosid.[26–28] Stevia is 250–300 times sweeter than sugar and with this feature, it finds application as an alternative to sucrose/sugar substitute or artificial sweeteners.[29–31] Stevia also positively changes human health with its antihypertensive, antihyperglycemia, antiinflammatory, antitumor, antidiarrheal, diuretic, non-cariogenic properties and immunomodulatory effects [32,33] Stevioside is hydrolyzed to steviol and glucose in the gastrointestinal tract [34]. It is stated with in vitro and model system research’s that steviol glycosides are metabolized to steviol and show prebiotic properties as a result of glycosidase activity (e.g., Bacteroides sp.) of the human intestinal microbiota.[32,33,35] However, in vitro studies on this subject are insufficient. This study aims to increase the therapeutic properties of sugar-reduced products and to create a system for consumer health expectations. Objectives of this study were (I) investigation of the ability of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis species to grow in stevia-containing medium alone or with a prebiotic substrate, (II) to determine the prebiotic activity score, (III) to determine the concentrations of fermentation end products such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) formed as a result of prebiotic carbohydrate fermentation.