Caracterização físico-química da erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil) e infusão, comercializada no sul do Brasil propondo critérios de confiabilidade do produto

Abstract

The yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. -Hil.), used as a drink tonic and stimulant. The great interest in yerba mate due to chemical compounds present, which leads to a growing quest for scientific knowledge. To characterize compared samples of yerba mate marketed chimarrão type, as well as its infusion, produced in the southern region of Brazil, in order to propose criteria for the reliability of the product was the objective of this work.The physicochemical analyzes showed average values for the parameters of color from 44.11 to 61.79 for brightness, -3,33 the 1.28 to a* e 7.56 to 21.12 of b*. The water activity presented mean values of 0.32 to 0.68.The percentage of moisture in dry matter was between 3.3 to 9%, and the ash content in dry matter ranged from 3.5% to 6.3%,for the caffeine were found values ranging from 4.4 to 13.5 mg g-1 for theobromine 0.48 to 3.55 mg g-1 and for minerals, (sodium) 6.33 the 12 mg g-1 , zinc (Zn) 0.20 to 0.66 mg g-1, K (potassium) 101 to 209 mg g-1 , and the Mg (magnesium) three samples of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina presented values much higher than the overall average.From the results found and considering the parameters in which there was a significant difference between the production regions in southern Brazil, may be proposed as new criteria of reliability as parameters of color, water activity, moisture, ash.