Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Yerba-Mate (Ilex paraguariensisA.St.-Hil., Aquifoliaceae) Extract as Obtained by Spray Drying

Abstract

Yerba-mate or maté (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil., Aquifoliaceae) leaves are typically used for their stimulant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and diuretic activity, presenting as principal components polyphenolic compounds. In this study, the objective was to develop a yerba-mate dry extract by using spray drying technology and to evaluate the dry extract antioxidant activity and chemical composition. The results obtained by means of the DPPH assay show that the extract presents an IC(50) of 2.52 mg/mL. The yerba-mate spray-dried extract presents high catalase-like activity, suggesting that it is a strong free-radical scavenger. The antioxidant activity as expressed as catalase-like activity was related to total polyphenol content. In addition, the results show that the spray-dried extract presents high polyphenol content, namely, high concentrations of caffeic acid (1.54 mg/g), 5-caffeoylquinic acid (91.40 mg/g), rutin (5.38 mg/g), and total phenolics (178.32 mg/g), which justifies its high antioxidant activity.

Desenvolvimento de chocolate branco com extrato de erva-mate

“…Pesquisas revelam grande capacidade antioxidante do extrato de erva-mate (BERTÉ et al, 2011;PRECI et al, 2011). Estudos com extrato de erva-mate demonstram a eficácia na ação cardioprotetora (MENINI et al, 2007).…”

“…O consumo regular de chá mate melhora as defesas antioxidantes por múltiplos mecanismos, tanto pelo aumento da circulação de compostos bioativos, como pela regulação dos mecanismos celulares e enzimáticos que combatem o estresse oxidativo (MATSUMOTO et al, 2009). As substâncias contidas na erva-mate apresentam ações antioxidantes, estimulantes, antimicrobianas e diuréticas (BERTÉ et al, 2011).…”

Antiradical activity and amount of phenolic compounds in extracts obtained from some plant raw materials containing methylxanthine alkaloids

“…Plant raw materials containing methylxanthine alkaloids are rich in phenolic compounds [1][2][3][4]. Also extracts obtained from these sources contain large quantities of phenols with strong antioxidative activity.…”

“…The raw material to be infused consist of dry leaves of Ilex paraguariensis belonging to the botanical family Aquifoliaceae. According to the literature, yerba mate has hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective activity, and also exhibits a stimulating effect on the central nervous system [1,9]. There was also observed diuretic and antioxidant activity [1,10,11], an advantageous effect on the cardiovascular system [12,13], and protection of DNA and LDL against oxidation [14].…”

“…According to the literature, yerba mate has hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective activity, and also exhibits a stimulating effect on the central nervous system [1,9]. There was also observed diuretic and antioxidant activity [1,10,11], an advantageous effect on the cardiovascular system [12,13], and protection of DNA and LDL against oxidation [14]. Leaves of Ilex paraguariensis contain polyphenols such as phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, dicaffeoylquinic acids), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, rutin), methylxanthines such as caffeine and smaller quantity of theobromine [9].…”