Qualitative and quantitative analysis of essential oils of five lines Stevia rebaudiana Bert. genotypes cultivated in Pisa (Italy)

Abstract Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a plant originating in Paraguay, produces a variety of high-potency, low calorie sweeteners in its leaf tissue. The essential oil composition of the aerial parts of five different Stevia rebaudiana genotypes cultivated in Tuscany coast (Italy) were examined by GC and GC/MS. Forty different components were identified and the main constituents in all studying samples were spathulenol (13.4–40.9%), caryophyllene oxide (1.3–18.7%), β-caryophyllene (2.1–16.0%) and β-pinene (5.5–21.5%).