4.5 Health and Trace Mineral Substances: The Role of Manganese
53
4.5 Health and Trace Mineral Substances: The Role
of Manganese
In general, minerals and polyphenols are claimed to have important functions when
speaking of human health and, naturally, human nutrition as a synergic and collateral
therapy for human diseases (Nielsen and Hunt 1989). In relation to yerba mate,
the popularity and the traditional consumption of hot and cold infusions have been
always accompanied with folk histories and claimed health effects (Matta 2019).
In general, these properties are correlated with antioxidant power (polyphenols)
and the presence of trace micronutrients. The list of ‘essential’ trace elements with
concentration between 0.1 and 100 mg/l—boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine
(I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn)—has an important
function when speaking of enzymatic reactions (Matta 2019). The lack of one or more
than above-mentioned elements can surely cause deficiency diseases (Matta 2019).
In this ambit (trace elements only), manganese appears the most abundant and
interesting metal in yerba mate products. Its biological functions into several enzymes
include regulation of sugars in the blood flow, blood clotting, digestive processes,
growth of bones, respiration (electron transport in plant leaves), and immunity
responses (Matta 2019). Its presence is chemically linked to its oxidation states
(minimum: +2, also the most stable and available in nature; maximum: +7, only in
the permanganate ion). An interesting oxidation state (+4) is found in complexes, and
several compounds with biological activity are natural complexes. The same presence of Mn in aqueous suspensions is generally influenced by conditions because
manganese is easily oxidizable and reducible, with important consequences on
biological processes in complexes. Anyway, Mn is water-soluble only if pH is acidic
(<6). At present, a recommendation concerning Mn dietary intake levels for men
and women is available with the following advices: 2.3 and 1.8 mg per day, respectively. Because of possible toxic effects (manganism) at elevated concentrations, the
tolerable upper intake amount is 11 mg per day (Matta 2019).
References
Barbera M (2020) Reuse of food waste and wastewater as a source of polyphenolic compounds to
use as food additives. J AOAC Int 103(4):906–914. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaocint/qsz025
Barbieri G, Bergamaschi M, Saccani G, Caruso G, Santangelo A, Tulumello T, Vibhute B, Barbieri
G (2019) Processed meat and polyphenols: opportunities, advantages, and difficulties. J AOAC
Int 102(5):1401–1406. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaoac/102.5.1401
Barbosa JZ, Zambon LM, Motta ACV, Wendling I (2015) Composition, hot-water solubility of
elements and nutritional value of fruits and leaves of yerba mate. Ciênc Agrotec 39(6):593–603.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-70542015000600006
Bastos DHM, De Oliveira DM, Matsumoto RT, Carvalho PDO, Ribeiro ML (2007) Yerba mate:
pharmacological properties, research and biotechnology. Med Aromat Plant Sci Biotechnol
1(1):37–46
53
4.5 Health and Trace Mineral Substances: The Role
of Manganese
In general, minerals and polyphenols are claimed to have important functions when
speaking of human health and, naturally, human nutrition as a synergic and collateral
therapy for human diseases (Nielsen and Hunt 1989). In relation to yerba mate,
the popularity and the traditional consumption of hot and cold infusions have been
always accompanied with folk histories and claimed health effects (Matta 2019).
In general, these properties are correlated with antioxidant power (polyphenols)
and the presence of trace micronutrients. The list of ‘essential’ trace elements with
concentration between 0.1 and 100 mg/l—boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine
(I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn)—has an important
function when speaking of enzymatic reactions (Matta 2019). The lack of one or more
than above-mentioned elements can surely cause deficiency diseases (Matta 2019).
In this ambit (trace elements only), manganese appears the most abundant and
interesting metal in yerba mate products. Its biological functions into several enzymes
include regulation of sugars in the blood flow, blood clotting, digestive processes,
growth of bones, respiration (electron transport in plant leaves), and immunity
responses (Matta 2019). Its presence is chemically linked to its oxidation states
(minimum: +2, also the most stable and available in nature; maximum: +7, only in
the permanganate ion). An interesting oxidation state (+4) is found in complexes, and
several compounds with biological activity are natural complexes. The same presence of Mn in aqueous suspensions is generally influenced by conditions because
manganese is easily oxidizable and reducible, with important consequences on
biological processes in complexes. Anyway, Mn is water-soluble only if pH is acidic
(<6). At present, a recommendation concerning Mn dietary intake levels for men
and women is available with the following advices: 2.3 and 1.8 mg per day, respectively. Because of possible toxic effects (manganism) at elevated concentrations, the
tolerable upper intake amount is 11 mg per day (Matta 2019).
References
Barbera M (2020) Reuse of food waste and wastewater as a source of polyphenolic compounds to
use as food additives. J AOAC Int 103(4):906–914. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaocint/qsz025
Barbieri G, Bergamaschi M, Saccani G, Caruso G, Santangelo A, Tulumello T, Vibhute B, Barbieri
G (2019) Processed meat and polyphenols: opportunities, advantages, and difficulties. J AOAC
Int 102(5):1401–1406. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaoac/102.5.1401
Barbosa JZ, Zambon LM, Motta ACV, Wendling I (2015) Composition, hot-water solubility of
elements and nutritional value of fruits and leaves of yerba mate. Ciênc Agrotec 39(6):593–603.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-70542015000600006
Bastos DHM, De Oliveira DM, Matsumoto RT, Carvalho PDO, Ribeiro ML (2007) Yerba mate:
pharmacological properties, research and biotechnology. Med Aromat Plant Sci Biotechnol
1(1):37–46