Description

Rebaudioside A is a steviol glycoside derived from the herb Stevia Rebaudiana (bertoni). Rebaudioside A and stevioside are the two main steviol glycosides found in the S. Rebaudiana herb and are the two predominant derivatives used in highpotency sweeteners. Stevioside differs from rebaudioside A by having one less glucose moiety. Steviol glycosides have been used as food and medicine in Japan and South America for many years, but stevia in the leaf or extracted form is permitted to be sold in the U.S. only as a dietary supplement, as defined in section 201(ff)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In 2007, JECFA specified that steviol glycoside sweeteners must be composed of at least 95% of the known steviol glycosides (JECFA, 2007). Products that consist predominantly of rebaudioside A are referred to as rebiana.