Stevioside, reference standard

Stevia rebaudiana (Stevia) is a plant originally found in South America. The leaves of the plant contain sweet components known as steviol and steviol glycosides. Stevioside (5-20 % dried leave weight) is one of the major steviol glycosides occurring in the plant. Stevioside is used as an artificial sweetener, and tastes about 300 times sweeter than sucrose (0,4 % aqueous solution). This product is used for food and beverage applications.