k 0-INAA as a contributor in nutrition and health: multielemental determination in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, leaves and stevioside product

Abstract

Concerned about food safety and considering the advantages that bring the use of the powerful INAA technique based in k0 method, we have decided to perform a complete multi element determination in the leaves and in the product stevioside, of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, which use as a sweetener has increased in the last decade. Using Stevia leaves from different origin, thirty seven elements were determined using k0-INAA; copper was quantified using FAAS, while sixteen elements were determined in the stevioside product from different manufacturers. The results indicated that it is necessary to make a strict quality control on the content of elements in leaves, which are used both as a raw material of the stevioside product, as a sweetener.