3.1 Chemical Profiles of Yerba Mate Infusions
45
found in other Ilex species. This molecule
2 has a molecular weight of 913.1 Da,
with molecular formula C 47 H 76 O 17 (Pubchem 2020c). (+)-Matesaponin 1 and other
triterpenoid saponins are reported to show hypocholesteremic effects and wish some
anti-cancer and anti-parasitic property (Taketa et al. 2004a, b).
3.1.4 Trace Mineral Substances
The mineral composition of extractable yerba mate strongly depends on the following
factors (Barbosa et al. 2015; Bastos et al. 2007; Croge et al. 2020):
(a) Agricultural practices and seasons, including used fertilisers, if any
(b) The difference between mineral extraction by yerba mate roots and the correspondent storage of extracted mineral in leaves. As an example, calcium
and sodium show opposite behaviours, probably because of different aqueous
solubility.
In general, and with exclusive reference to yerba mate leaves, the following
mineral elements are present in remarkable amounts, also if compared with
other vegetable products used for infusion purposes, and with the exclusion of
non-trace elements calcium and magnesium (Bragança et al. 2011; Matta 2019;
Rusinek-Prystupa et al. 2016):
(1) Manganese (over 260 mg/kg, with a maximum amount exceeding 1000 or
2200 mg/kg, dry weight, depending on references; or >2 mg/l of infusion)
(2) Zinc (>64 mg/kg, dry weight, or >0.4 mg/l of infusion)
(3) Iron (>32 mg/kg, dry weight, or >0.1 mg/l of infusion)
(4) Copper (>5 mg/kg, dry weight, or >0.03 mg/l of infusion).
The revealed differences, with the exclusion of expected calcium and magnesium
quantities, concern mainly manganese. Interestingly, calcium and magnesium have
remarkable amounts in spite of the nature of high-acidity soils. It has to be considered
that manganese absorption is probably influenced by the following factors (Matta
2019):
(a) Yerba mate leaves contain more manganese and other minor elements if
collected in organic or traditional organic plantations (instead of native plants).
(b) The peculiar product features (green VS roasted; loose VS teabag packages)
seem to be critical. In detail, roasted and/or teabag-packaged yerba mate products appear to have more manganese and other minor elements. In contrast,
the country of origin (e.g. Argentina VS Brazil) does not seem to influence the
mineral profile.
2 Official
IUPAC
name:
[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan2-yl]
1,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene4a-carboxylate. IUPAC is for: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
45
found in other Ilex species. This molecule
2 has a molecular weight of 913.1 Da,
with molecular formula C 47 H 76 O 17 (Pubchem 2020c). (+)-Matesaponin 1 and other
triterpenoid saponins are reported to show hypocholesteremic effects and wish some
anti-cancer and anti-parasitic property (Taketa et al. 2004a, b).
3.1.4 Trace Mineral Substances
The mineral composition of extractable yerba mate strongly depends on the following
factors (Barbosa et al. 2015; Bastos et al. 2007; Croge et al. 2020):
(a) Agricultural practices and seasons, including used fertilisers, if any
(b) The difference between mineral extraction by yerba mate roots and the correspondent storage of extracted mineral in leaves. As an example, calcium
and sodium show opposite behaviours, probably because of different aqueous
solubility.
In general, and with exclusive reference to yerba mate leaves, the following
mineral elements are present in remarkable amounts, also if compared with
other vegetable products used for infusion purposes, and with the exclusion of
non-trace elements calcium and magnesium (Bragança et al. 2011; Matta 2019;
Rusinek-Prystupa et al. 2016):
(1) Manganese (over 260 mg/kg, with a maximum amount exceeding 1000 or
2200 mg/kg, dry weight, depending on references; or >2 mg/l of infusion)
(2) Zinc (>64 mg/kg, dry weight, or >0.4 mg/l of infusion)
(3) Iron (>32 mg/kg, dry weight, or >0.1 mg/l of infusion)
(4) Copper (>5 mg/kg, dry weight, or >0.03 mg/l of infusion).
The revealed differences, with the exclusion of expected calcium and magnesium
quantities, concern mainly manganese. Interestingly, calcium and magnesium have
remarkable amounts in spite of the nature of high-acidity soils. It has to be considered
that manganese absorption is probably influenced by the following factors (Matta
2019):
(a) Yerba mate leaves contain more manganese and other minor elements if
collected in organic or traditional organic plantations (instead of native plants).
(b) The peculiar product features (green VS roasted; loose VS teabag packages)
seem to be critical. In detail, roasted and/or teabag-packaged yerba mate products appear to have more manganese and other minor elements. In contrast,
the country of origin (e.g. Argentina VS Brazil) does not seem to influence the
mineral profile.
2 Official
IUPAC
name:
[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan2-yl]
1,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene4a-carboxylate. IUPAC is for: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.