Multivariate optimization results in an edible extract from Ilex paraguariensis unexplored residues with a high amount of phenolic compounds

Abstract

Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. plants are used for the preparation of food and drinks which are widely consumed worldwide. During the harvest season of these plants, 2–5 ton hec⁻¹ of agricultural residue is generated, which remains underutilized. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain an edible extract with high content of bioactive compounds and antimicrobial properties from the agricultural residue of I. paraguariensis for industrial use in food applications. The extraction conditions were optimized through a multivariate experimental design using ethanol:water. The extracted compounds were characterized by HPLC-ESY-QTOF-MS. In the optimal extraction conditions, 55 compounds were extracted, including 8 compounds that were not previously reported in I. paraguariensis. The method proved to be simple, fast, economical and environmentally friendly, with the use of green solvents. This optimization allowed for the extraction of 15.07 g of phenolic compounds per 100 g of residue. The extract showed high antioxidant activity and the capacity to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. Results indicate that it is possible to obtain an edible extract with a high content of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic compounds, from the I. paraguariensis residue, which has high prospects for the valorization of unexplored natural resources.

Keywords:

• Yerba mate
• multivariate methods
• green solvents
• biological activities

Acknowledgements

The Associação dos Produtores de Erva Mate de Machadinho (APROMATE), Barão Comercio e Industria de Erva Mate LTDA by providing samples and Bruna Trindade Paim for the assistance in samples preparation

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. In this study, experiments with animals or humans were not involved. This study was registered in the Ministério do Meio Ambiente do Brasil in the Sistema Nacional de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético e Conhecimento Associado under N°. AEEC386.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in Science Data Bank at http://doi.org/10.11922/sciencedb.01349, reference number 01349.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001.