ABSTRACT
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a perennial plant, native to Paraguay, that is commonly known as sweet herb. The botanical identi’cation of the plant was ’rst given in 1889 (Bertoni 1899). The leaves of this plant have an incredible sweetness index and are used as herbal medicine for diabetes. Leaves are sources of natural sweetener due to the presence of nine steviol glycosides collectively known as steviosides, which are noncalori’c and used in the food industry as sugar substitutes in ice creams and confectionery products.
