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Ilex paraguariensis, commonly known as yerba mate, is a plant belonging to the holly genus Ilex and the Aquifoliaceae family, indigenous to South America, and is used for the production of yerba mate. Yerba mate is renowned for its abundance of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. Based on test results, it can be assumed that the selection of raw material for the preparation of extracts as well as the extraction method significantly influence the final content of biologically active compounds in the extracts. Consequently, this variability impacts the ultimate concentration of biologically active substances within the end product, potentially influencing human consumption. The present study aimed to quantify and compare the content of selected biological active compounds in supplements and products containing I. paraguariensis extracts, along with organic yerba mate dried through a smoke-free process, available in the European market (P-1–P-10). The evaluation focused on antioxidant substances such as neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, 4-feruloylquinic acid, isochlorogenic acid, rutoside astragalin, and caffeine. Additionally, the concentration of specific macro and trace elements was ascertained. The antioxidant compound makeup differs between methanol-extracted samples and aqueous extracts. In both cases, methanol extracts, particularly those in instant and traditional herb forms, showed the highest content of organic compounds with antioxidant properties (such as phenolic compounds and caffeine). The highest content of chlorogenic acid was detected in both methanol (14.7412 mg/g d.w.) and water (8.3120 mg/g d.w.) extracts in product P-4. The caffeic acid content ranged from 0.1491 mg/g d.w. to 1.7938 mg/g d.w. in methanol extracts and from 0.0760 mg/g d.w. to 0.4892 mg/g d.w. in water extracts. The neochlorogenic acid content ranged from 2.6869 to 23.9750 mg/g d.w. in ethanol extracts and from 0.4529 to 10.2299 mg/g d.w. in water extracts. Therefore, the traditional preparation of yerba mate as a water infusion does not fully exploit the raw material's potential. Among the tested products, only the dietary supplement in capsule form contained protocatechuic acid, which was not present in any other tested products. Conversely, compounds characteristic of yerba mate found in other preparations were absent in this supplement. The caffeine content was also the lowest in this product. The determined content of active substances did not consistently match the declarations made by producers if stated on the packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing environmental concerns and consumer demand for safe food lead to the innovation of biodegradable and active packaging materials. In this work, a biodegradable and active bilayer nanocomposite (TPS‐Y/NP) from two cassava starch‐based film layers is developed by casting, for possible use as packaging that can extend food shelf life. One layer is composed of a starch‐yerba mate extract film (TPS‐Y) and the other of a starch‐titanium dioxide nanoparticles nanocomposite (TPS‐NP). The use of the same starch matrix (TPS) in both films achieves a material with excellent interlayer compatibility. The bilayer presents activity against different pathogens and improvements in mechanical resistance and water vapor permeability (WVP) due to the contribution of the nanocomposite layer, and it shows antioxidant activity and greater deformation due to the layer with the natural extract. In addition, all films degrade in vegetable compost almost completely in two weeks. This bilayer film can be promisingly employed as a biodegradable and functional packaging to improve the useful life of food by conferring antioxidant and antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) coupled with bioassays has proven effective for detecting bioactive compounds in complex samples. In this study, a TLC enzyme-inhibition assay was developed for the detection of α-glucosidase inhibitors. The basic principle of the method involves the enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate (2-naphthyl-α-d-glucopyranoside), resulting in the formation of β-naphthol that is subsequently reacted with Fast Blue B salt to produce a diazonium dye, resulting in a purple background. Assay development involved the utilization of enzyme gel entrapment, with either agar (over normal-phase plates) or poloxamer (over reversed-phase plates), and the optimization of key parameters including the substrate and enzyme concentrations, derivatization reagent concentrations, buffer type and pH, and plate type. The results showed good linearity within a range of 0.250–2.0 μg for the positive control, acarbose, with a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.99. Detection and quantification limits were 0.060 μg and 0.199 μg, respectively. To address potential false positive results arising from secondary reactions with the reagents used, a nonenzymatic assay was conducted. In this control assay, the enzyme was replaced by the reaction product (β-naphthol). The developed TLC gel-overlay autographic method was able to detect the α-glucosidase inhibitor chlorogenic acid in a yerba mate extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) traditionally grown in South America. Its extract contains bioactive compounds which are associated with pharmacological activities. Freeze-concentration (cryoconcentration) process allows the removal of water preserving the bioactive compounds in extracts. Furthermore, yerba mate extract incorporation into starches is promising for food and pharmaceutical uses. This process can be evaluated using simultaneous Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The aim of this study was to obtain corn starch incorporated with freeze-concentrated yerba mate extract. The evaluation of freeze-concentration was carried by extracts analyses of density, total dry matter and ash. The evaluation of yerba mate extract incorporation into corn starch was performed using simultaneous TG–DTA system. Density results revealed extracts different composition and dry matter indicated that compounds were concentrated at 0.576% ratio after freeze-concentration stage. Nevertheless, incorporated starches showed exothermic peaks in DTA curves at temperatures between 287 and 514 °C, which increased in intensity in agreement with freeze-concentration stages advance. Thus, yerba mate oxygenated compounds were incorporated into starches. Nutraceutical products can be obtained using the incorporation of yerba mate extract into starches; however, further studies are necessary to extend these applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is a technique used for the separation of biopolymers in two aqueous phases. Some combinations of biopolymers can form a water-in-water (W/W) emulsion due to steric exclusion and thermodynamic incompatibility between these biopolymers under some specific conditions. In this work, the formation of W/W emulsions composed of sodium caseinate (SCN) and locust bean gum (LBG) was evaluated, using NaCl or yerba mate extract as the driving force for the phase separation, which was described by phase's diagrams. Phase diagrams are like fingerprints of ATPS systems, which demonstrate the specific conditions to develop separate phases. Phase diagrams of the two systems show that at the same concentrations of protein and carbohydrate, the addition of NaCl or extract induced the separation of the compounds differently. Salt promotes phase separation by steric exclusion, each phase being rich in one of the polymers. Since extract may also induce other effects, such as the formation of a SCN-extract-LBG complex, migration of LBG to the SCN-rich phase was promoted, modifying the characteristics of the tie lines in the phase diagrams. However, it was feasible to separate the protein in systems containing concentrated phenolic extract, whose incorporation is relevant considering its antioxidant activity. • Aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was obtained with sodium caseinate-LBG. • NaCl and yerba mate extract facilitates phase separation to obtain W/W emulsions. • Yerba mate extract changes the partition of LBG in the separated phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global concerns over environmental damage caused by non-biodegradable single-use packaging have sparked interest in developing biomaterials. The food packaging industry is a major contributor to non-degradable plastic waste. This study investigates the impact of incorporating different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and yerba mate extract as a natural antioxidant into carboxymethyl cassava starch films to possibly use as active degradable packaging to enhance food shelf life. Films with starch and PVA blends (SP) at different ratios (SP radios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30) with and without yerba mate extract (Y) were successfully produced through extrusion and thermoforming. The incorporation of up to 20 wt% PVA improved starch extrusion processing and enhanced film transparency. PVA played a crucial role in improving the hydrophobicity, tensile strength and flexibility of the starch films but led to a slight deceleration in their degradation in compost. In contrast, yerba mate extract contributed to better compost degradation of the blend films. Additionally, it provided antioxidant activity, particularly in hydrophilic and lipophilic food simulants, suggesting its potential to extend the shelf life of food products. Starch-PVA blend films with yerba mate extract emerged as a promising alternative for mechanically resistant and active food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural substances with antioxidant effects may benefit prevention and treatment of people with or prone to bone diseases after menopause, such as osteoporosis. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of preadministration of yerba mate extract (YM) in the metabolism of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The cells (MC3T3-E1) were cultured in 24-well plates with the concentration of 1 μg/mL yerba mate extract dissolved in culture medium throughout the culture period. Four hours before each experiment, 400 μmol/L H2O2 was added per well to simulate oxidative stress. There were evaluated cell adhesion and proliferation, in situ detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), mineralized nodules, and immunolocalization of osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) proteins. The results showed that YM preadministration to H2O2 exposition significatively increased cell adhesion after 3 days as well as proliferation and in situ ALP detection after 10 and 7 days respectively, when compared to H2O2 group. Besides, staining of OCN and BSP proteins was less intense and scattered in poor spread cells with cytoskeletal changes in H2O2 group when compared to control and YM H2O2 group. ALP staining was restrained to intracellular regions and similar in all experimental groups. Our results suggest that preadministration of yerba mate extract may prevent deleterious effects in the morphology and functional activity of osteoblasts exposed to H2O2, which could enable the maintenance of extracellular matrix in the presence of oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yerba mate extracts are naturally enriched with several antioxidant compounds. Therefore, this natural product constitutes a fertile field of research directed to test its antioxidant and therapeutic properties in the Central Nervous System. We tested the ability of yerba mate to prevent the chemically-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation, glutathione balance (GSH:GSSG) disruption and mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro in rat brain synaptosomal/mitochondrial fractions, and compared these effects with those of its most abundant compound chlorogenic acid (CGA). Yerba mate prevented glutathione depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction, and these effects were correlated with its ability to prevent ROS formation. CGA prevented oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, but its effects were less intense than those of the extract. Our results suggest that the protective properties exhibited by yerba mate cannot be merely attributable to its main component CGA.

Yerba mate extracts are naturally enriched with several antioxidant compounds. Therefore, this natural product constitutes a fertile field of research directed to test its antioxidant and therapeutic properties in the Central Nervous System. We tested the ability of yerba mate to prevent the chemically-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation, glutathione balance (GSH:GSSG) disruption and mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro in rat brain synaptosomal/mitochondrial fractions, and compared these effects with those of its most abundant compound chlorogenic acid (CGA). Yerba mate prevented glutathione depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction, and these effects were correlated with its ability to prevent ROS formation. CGA prevented oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, but its effects were less intense than those of the extract. Our results suggest that the protective properties exhibited by yerba mate cannot be merely attributable to its main component CGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable and edible cassava starch-glycerol based films with different concentrations of yerba mate extract (0, 5 and 20 wt.%) were prepared by casting. The plasticizing effect of yerba mate extract when it was incorporated into the matrix as an antioxidant was investigated. Thermal degradation and biodegradability of the obtained biofilms were also studied. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), water absorbance, stability in different solutions and biodegradability studies were performed. The clear correlation among the results obtained from the different analysis confirmed the plasticizing effect of yerba mate extract on the starch-glycerol matrix. Also, the extract led to a decrease in the degradation time of the films in soil ensuring their complete biodegradability before two weeks and to films stability in acidic and alkaline media. The plasticizing effect of yerba mate extract makes it an attractive additive for starch films which will be used as packaging or coating; and its contribution to an earlier biodegradability will contribute to waste reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing interest in the utilization of renewable resources for the production of food packaging. Among the biopolymers, starches from several sources are considered promising materials for this purpose, because they are biodegradable, inexpensive and available worldwide. Antioxidant food packaging films were produced by incorporating mango pulp and yerba mate extract into a cassava starch matrix. The bio-based films were used to pack palm oil (maintained for 90 days of storage) under accelerated oxidation conditions (63% RH/30°C) in order to simulate a storage experiment. Palm oil packaged in these films exhibited a decreased oxidative process rate, which was attributed to the yerba mate and mango pulp in a concentration-dependent fashion. The evolution of the peroxide value contents indicated that, in general, the films with high concentrations of additives improved palm oil stability. Mechanical, physical and barrier properties of the developed film indicated that the addition of these bioactive compounds modified their properties significantly (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Native and hydrolyzed cassava starch/yerba mate extract films were made by extrusion. • Hydrolyzed starch needed less specific energy to gelatinize in the extrusion process. • Film with native starch-10 wt.% of extract was more hydrophobic and tensile resistant. • Hydrolyzed starch with 20 wt.% of extract film showed the highest tensile toughness. • Incorporation of yerba mate extract led to active and smart biodegradable materials. Native or hydrolyzed starch and yerba mate extract (10 wt.% or 20 wt.%) films prepared by extrusion and compression molding were investigated. Native starch material (TPNS) exhibited lower water vapor permeability and higher Young's Modulus (E) compared to hydrolyzed starch matrix (TPHS) but decreases in strain at break (ε b) and toughness (T). The incorporation of 10 wt.% of extract in TPNS led to greater E and ε b and it resulted the most hydrophobic material. Conversely, TPHS with 20 wt.% of additive resulted the film with the highest ε b and T , indicating a plasticizing effect of the extract in this concentration and system. All materials disintegrated after 10 weeks of burial, contributing to waste reduction. Biofilms containing yerba mate extract showed antioxidant activity and color changes in different pH, indicating their promising role as active and smart packaging for food, in accordance with the new trends for biodegradable and functional packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]