Chemical composition and antnioxidant activity of yerba-mate (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil., aquifoliaceae) extract as obtained by spray drying

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2011, Vol.59 (10)
• Main Authors: Berte, Kleber A.S, Beux, Marcia R, Spada, Patricia K.W.D.S, Salvador, Mirian, Hoffmann-Ribani, Rosemary
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antioxidant activity; caffeic acid; chemical composition; free radical scavengers; Ilex paraguariensis; inhibitory concentration 50; leaves; rutin; spray drying; yerba mate
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118

Yerba-mate or mat (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 IC50 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.