Post-harvest management of stevia leaves: A review

Stevia rebaudiana, the sweet herb is commonly known as honey leaf in Indian market. Stevia is gaining significance in different parts of the world and is expected to develop into a major source of high potency sweetener for the growing natural food market. A thorough review has been made to visualize the contribution of different investigations on stevia. Extensive work has been done on its cultivation practices and other agro parameters have been identified for the sweetening potency. Stevia can be grown easily in pots, house gardens or as a commercial field crop. The plant is totally. posing no threat to human life and health, holding out in fact great hope of the production of a non calorie innocuous. sweetener with health benefits. Published literature on the post-harvest practices of stevia leaf in India is limited. Stevia is the safest natural sweetener, and it can substitute sugar in various preparations and formulations. It has been used as a medicinal plant to treat many ailments including diabetes, high blood pressure, digestive disorders and several skin defects. The leaves contain glycosides, which taste sweet, but do not provide. calories. The major glycoside is stevioside (10% of total glycoside), which accounts for its incredible sweetness.