Stevioside content of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni grown in East Paraguay

The amount of the sweetener stevioside in leaves of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni was investigated with regard to the morphological characteristics of plants grown in the Minga Guazu region of East Paraguay. Seedlings were taken from the region of Yby Ya'u (northeastern Paraguay) which is considered one of the most productive areas of the country. The quantitative determination of stevioside was carried out on dried leaves from plants of 16 different plots, using a new analytical method based on an HPLC/ELSD (Evaporative Light Scattering Detector) coupled system. The average levels of stevioside varied from 43.6 to 98.9 g kg(-1). The results indicate that environmental and agronomic factors have more influence on stevioside production than the growth habit.