New alternatives in Turkish agriculture and food industry: Stevia plant and its possible effects

Abstract

Nowadays, natural sweeteners are preferred instead of artificial sweeteners that have harmful effects on our health. In addition to artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame and fructose, besides, it is widespread in many countries of the world because it does not contain calories and has various positive effects on health. Their use in the food sector, health sector and other sub sectors is increasing, and their economic size is increasing especially in the food and sweetener sectors. Turkey, which is a controversial agenda sugar sector discussions and Starch Based Sugars(SBS)'s sugar production issues are taken into consideration, reduction of dependence on foreign sugar policy and the new agricultural policies aimed at achieving food security is emerging needs. In this context, it was thought that this research, in which the functional properties of Stevia, usage areas, health effects, substitutability of sweeteners containing starch based sugar and new approaches to form a new, integrated sugar policy, will shed light on the researches to be conducted in our country in the near future.