Characterization and quantification of bioactive compounds from Ilex paraguariensis residue by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS from plants cultivated under different cultivation systems.

Ilex paraguariensis is a perennial plant used in the production of mate tea, "chimarrão" and "tererê," cosmetics, and other food products. Its leaves are harvested every 12 or 18 months. Approximately 2 to 5 tons of residue are generated per hectare during the harvest. The bioactive composition of this residue has not been characterized to date. Therefore, this paper presents for the first time, the simultaneous characterization of the bioactive compounds of the leaves, thin branches, and thick branches (residue) from I. paraguariensis grown under two cultivation systems: "full sun" and "shaded." The identification and quantification of the compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). Consequently, 35 compounds were identified. The average dry weight of phenolic compounds in the residue was 4.1 g/100 g, whereas that in the bark of the residue was 12.9 g/100 g, which was similar to the content found in leaves. The same compounds were identified in the two cultivation systems but with a difference in their contents. While the "full sun" cultivation had a higher content of phenolic acids, the "shaded" cultivation had a higher content of flavonoids and saponins. It was found that the I. paraguariensis residue, particularly the bark, is rich in bioactive compounds, such as quinic, 3-caffeoylquinic, 5-cafefoylquinic, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic, and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids as well as rutin, and their contents vary according to the cultivation system. Therefore, this residue is an underutilized natural resource with a potential for industrial applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Yerba mate producers will be able to choose the best cultivation system ("full sun" or "shaded") to increase the content of bioactive compounds. New products may be developed with yerba mate residue due to its high concentration of compounds that are beneficial to the human health. New destinations may be applied to yerba mate residue from the harvest pruning, adding commercial value to this unexplored natural resource.

Chlorogenic and caffeic acids in 64 fruits consumed in Brazil.

This study presents unpublished data on the chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid content in fruits. Sixty-four fruits consumed in Brazil, most of which were produced domestically, were evaluated based on their levels of 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid. The study investigated 15 fruits that have not been reported in the literature in relation to these compounds, including several native species. The highest concentration of mono-caffeoylquinic acid was observed in strawberry, cherry, bilberry, quince and mulberry, while the dicaffeoylquinic acid was present with highest concentration in kumquat, passion fruit and sweet granadilla. Regarding caffeic acid, the highest content was found in bilberry and yellow pitaya. Considering the sum of the concentrations of these compounds, quince, cherry, bilberry, mulberry and sweet granadilla were exceptional, with concentrations between 200.0 and 569.7 mg kg-1.

Chlorogenic acid isomer contents in 100 plants commercialized in Brazil.

This study analysed 100 plants employed in Brazil as ingredients to infusions for their caffeic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA), 4-caffeoylquinic acid (4-CQA), 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,4-DQA), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DQA), and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-DQA) contents. The samples were collected from public markets and analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The highest concentrations of chlorogenic acids were found in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), 9,2g·100g-1, white tea (Camellia sinensis), winter's bark (Drimys winteri), green tea (Camellia sinensis), elderflower (Sambucus nigra), and Boehmeria caudata (known as assa-peixe in Brazil), 1,1g·100g-1. The present work showcased the investigation of chlorogenic acids in a wide range of plants not yet studied in this regard and also resulted in a comparative table which explores the content of six isomers in the samples.