Non-saccharide natural intense sweeteners – An overview of current status

The global consumption of herbs as medicine, nutraceuticals, food additives, cosmaceuticals, etc. is increasing rapidly. One of such area of high commercial potential is nonsaccharide sweeteners. Numerous compounds of plant origin are reported to have different degree of sweetness. In the light of limitations of currently marketed synthetic sweeteners as well as drastic reduction of high-calorific sugar consumption especially in developed countries, an area of lowcalorific, non-saccharide natural sweeteners is gaining tremendous commercial significance. However, in recent past non-saccharide natural sweeteners gone through several ups and downs, therefore, before commercialization of non-saccharide natural sweeteners for both pharmaceutical as well as food industry, it needs to undergo rigorous evaluations. The present paper is a compilation of information on non-saccharide intense natural sweeteners derived from plant metabolites.