Abstract: Described are cholesteric liquid crystal formulations suitable for use as indicators of time and/or temperature, and methods for reliably characterizing and reproducing initial and subsequent batches of such cholesteric liquid crystal formulations. The formulations have a time-dependent, temperature-dependent limit in a pseudo-irreversible liquid crystal phase wherein when said limit is exceeded, the formulations exhibit a color change which is irreversible by cooling.

Abstract: Diterpene glycosides have been found to enhance and modify the flavor of orally consumable compositions, such as foodstuffs, smoking compositions, chewing compositions, oral hygiene compositions and medicinal compositions to improve or vary the sensory perceptions thereof. An orally consumable composition having an enhanced or modified flavor comprises an effective amount of a diterpene glycoside. A diterpene glycoside can be added to an orally consumable composition as a constituent of the leaf material of Stevia rebaudiana. One or more compounds which are not diterpene glycosides, which contribute an unpleasant or unsweet taste to the leaf material of Stevia rebaudiana, can be removed from the leaf material by heating the leaf material at a temperature in the range of about 60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. or by extraction with an organic solvent having a polarity greater than hexane but less than water.

Abstract: A process for recovering diterpene glycosides from the Stevia rebaudiana plant includes the steps of sequentially extracting plant material with a first solvent of intermediate polarity to extract plant substances which tend to interfere with a liquid chromatographic separation of the glycosides, and then with a second solvent of high polarity to extract glycosides, and chromatographically separating the extracted glycosides by introducing them onto a liquid chromatography column having a packing of an oxygen-containing organic stationary phase covalently bonded through a silicon atom to an inorganic support, eluting them with a solvent of polarity higher than that of the first solvent but lower than that of the second solvent, and collecting individually eluate fractions rich in respective glycosides.