Abstract:

Steviol glycosides are high-potency and low-calorie sweeteners extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana.
They are considered as the most ideal alternative to sucrose. In toxicological tests, steviol glycosides do not exert serious
acute toxic, genotoxic, or carcinogenic effects. In addition to being an excellent sweetener, steviol glycosides possess a
lot of functional attributes such as anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-tumour, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,
etc. Owing to their highly adjustable structures, steviol glycosides have been used as precursors for the synthesis of the
derivatives which have many potential applications. Recent progress in understanding the functions of steviol glycosides is
discussed in this review to guide future exploitation of these bioactive compounds.

Key words: steviol glycosides, stevioside, functionality