Pencho Penchev1, Stanimir Enchev1, Radena Nenova1, Yordanka Ilieva1, Desislava Ivanova1 and Matthias Schreiner2
1 Agricultural Academy, Agricultural Institute, 9700 Shumen, Bulgaria
2 University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOКU), Institute of Food Science, Vienna, Austria
Penchev, P., Enchev, S., Nenova, R., Ilieva, Y., Ivanova, D. & Schreiner, M. (2025). Stevia (Stеvia rebaudiana B.) as a medicinal plant and its antioxidant and lipid-modulating effects – with focus on ruminant production. A review. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(3), 595–604
A comprehensive literature search was conducted, and the expertise and achievements with stevia and some other medicinal plants of our plant and animal breedeing teams were taken in consideration. The objective to summarize the background of the medicinal applications of stevia was generally fuilfilled, the found available sources treating the effects on ruminant products is limited. Besides its direct benefits to consumers, indirect effect of its glycosides should be especially sought on production of ruminant origin, which is notorious for its saturated lipids. Except its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-tumor properties, this review implies stevia’s capacity to modulate the anti-oxidant and nutritional qualities of foodstuffs. Not many proofs have been found for the influence of stevia on fatty acid composition of ruminant products, but its effects on rumen processes suggest application as a natural modulator of lipid quality via manipulation of rumen environment and functions. All this necessiates further in-depth research, but to date the available scientific evidence affords the presumption that it is worthwile to grow stevia for such purposes, justifying the peculiarities of its cultivation (vegetatively bred and maintained in vitro) and the efforts in the latitudes of Bulgaria, where it needs to be treated like an annual, not like a perennial plant as in its continent of origin.