INVESTIGATION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN STEVIA REBAUDIANA EXTRACTS

Abstract

The World Health Organization, taking into account available scientific studies, recognized Stevia (Sweet Clover) in 2006 as a harmless, beneficial crop and allowed its widespread use in food and pharmaceutical production. This decision has served as a basis for various scientific groups to continue large-scale studies on the composition and bioactivity of stevia. Considering the nearly complete absence of studies on the stevia cultivated in Armenia, this work investigates the quantitative content of certain biologically active substances in stevia grown in Armenia. The following data were obtained: diterpene glycosides 19.69%, fructose, glucose, and sucrose. The study of the antimicrobial properties of the water extract from the raw material showed that it possesses pronounced antimicrobial activity.