Stress and Elicitor Effects on Steviol Glycoside Biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana
摘要
Stevia rebaudiana is the main natural source of steviol glycosides (SGs), high-intensity sweeteners widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. SG accumulation is strongly influenced by environmental stress and elicitor application, yet their combined effects remain fragmented across studies. This systematic review synthesizes recent evidence on how abiotic stresses and elicitors regulate SG production in S. rebaudiana. Using the PRISMA framework, 74 studies published between 2012 and 2024 were analyzed. The review demonstrates that SG responses are highly stress-intensity dependent: mild stress conditions often stimulate SG accumulation, whereas severe stress reduces biomass and yield. Elicitors, including plant hormones, osmoprotectants, and nanomaterials, consistently enhance stevioside and rebaudioside A levels by activating stressresponsive metabolic pathways. Notably, the integration of moderate stress with optimized elicitor treatments emerges as a recurring strategy to maximize SG productivity. This review provides a concise synthesis of response patterns and mechanistic trends, offering a practical framework for improving SG yield in stress-managed cultivation systems.