Characterization and quantification of bioactive compounds from Ilex paraguariensis residue by HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS from plants cultivated under different cultivation systems

Abstract

Ilex paraguariensis is a perennial plant used in the production of mate tea, “chimarrão” and “tererê,” cosmetics, and other food products. Its leaves are harvested every 12 or 18 months. Approximately 2 to 5 tons of residue are generated per hectare during the harvest. The bioactive composition of this residue has not been characterized to date. Therefore, this paper presents for the first time, the simultaneous characterization of the bioactive compounds of the leaves, thin branches, and thick branches (residue) from I. paraguariensis grown under two cultivation systems: “full sun” and “shaded.” The identification and quantification of the compounds was performed using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS). Consequently, 35 compounds were identified. The average dry weight of phenolic compounds in the residue was 4.1 g/100 g, whereas that in the bark of the residue was 12.9 g/100 g, which was similar to the content found in leaves. The same compounds were identified in the two cultivation systems but with a difference in their contents. While the “full sun” cultivation had a higher content of phenolic acids, the “shaded” cultivation had a higher content of flavonoids and saponins. It was found that the I. paraguariensis residue, particularly the bark, is rich in bioactive compounds, such as quinic, 3‐caffeoylquinic, 5‐cafefoylquinic, 3,5‐dicaffeoylquinic, and 4,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acids as well as rutin, and their contents vary according to the cultivation system. Therefore, this residue is an underutilized natural resource with a potential for industrial applications. Practical Application Yerba mate producers will be able to choose the best cultivation system (“full sun” or “shaded”) to increase the content of bioactive compounds. New products may be developed with yerba mate residue due to its high concentration of compounds that are beneficial to the human health. New destinations may be applied to yerba mate residue from the harvest pruning, adding commercial value to this unexplored natural resource.

Changes in the Physicochemical and Bioactive Properties of Yerba Mate Depending on the Brewing Conditions

“…Yerba Mate has strong antioxidant properties, resulting from a high content of carotenoid and phenolic components [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Common antioxidants in Yerba Mate are phenolic acids such as chlorogenic, caffeic, feluric, and gallic acids [ 24 ].…”

“…The contents of bioactive ingredients, as well as the biological activity and health-promoting properties of Yerba Mate, depend on many factors, including the origin of the Paraguayan holly [ 23 ], plant growth conditions, i.e., substrate, soil type, climate, degree of insolation or cultivation system [ 39 , 42 ], plant variety and morphotype [ 17 , 43 ], different parts of the plant [ 44 ], or leaf age [ 20 , 45 ]. Differences in the content of ingredients and bioactive properties also result from the composition and degree of fragmentation of commercially available mixtures [ 6 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 44 , 46 , 47 ], as well as the production technology and degree of processing of the Yerba Mate [ 3 , 16 , 20 , 21 , 42 , 45 , 46 , 48 ]. The key factors for the organoleptic and bioactive properties of Yerba Mate infusions are also the brewing methods and conditions, including temperature, time, and the number of infusions [ 16 , 45 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Optimization of the extraction of phenolic compounds from the leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) through high hydrostatic pressure system using mixture design with process variables

“…The great demand for the plant in recent years is due to the benefits contained in its composition. The leaves contain numerous bioactive compounds, such as methylxanthines, caffeine, theobromine, saponins, and phenolic compounds that attribute effective antioxidant action to yerba mate (Lorini et al., 2021).…”

Yerba Mate as a Source of Elements and Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Activity

“…Both the plant leaves and the beverage contain purine alkaloids, such as caffeine, and a variety of polyphenols, such as the flavonoids quercetin and rutin, saponins, vitamins, and bioelements. These substances are responsible for the bioactivity of Mate [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”