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Bioactive compounds and leaf anatomy of yerba mate morphotypes

Compostos bioativos e anatomia foliar de morfotipos de erva-mate

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the bioactive compounds and foliar anatomy of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) morphotypes. The antioxidant capacity, total phenolic compounds, methylxanthines, and caffeoylquinic acids were determined from the aqueous extract of leaves of the following yerba mate morphotypes: “sassafras”, dark green, dull green, gray, and “peludinha”. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe the anatomical differentiations. The dark-green morphotype showed the highest contents of caffeine (20.4 mg g-1), differing significantly only from the “peludinha” morphotype (8.8 mg g-1). All morphotypes showed similar and high antioxidant activity (886.0 and 588.1 μmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity per gram of sample for ABTS and DPPH, respectively), as well as high total phenolic compounds content (73.9 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of sample). Although the anatomy of the leaf mesophyll is similar, the wax deposition and cuticle striation configuration on the adaxial surface differ between all five morphotypes.

Index terms:
Ilex paraguariensis ; antioxidant capacity; genotype selection; methylxanthines

Resumo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os compostos bioativos e a anatomia foliar de morfotipos de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis). A capacidade antioxidante, os compostos fenólicos totais, as metilxantinas e os ácidos cafeoilquínicos foram determinados a partir do extrato aquoso das folhas dos seguintes morfotipos de erva-mate: sassafrás, verde-escuro, verde fosco, cinza e peludinha. A microscopia de luz e a microscopia eletrônica de varredura foram utilizadas para observar a diferenciação anatômica. O morfotipo verde-escuro apresenta os maiores teores de cafeína (20,4 mg g-1) e difere significativamente apenas do morfotipo peludinha (8,8 mg g-1). Todos os morfotipos apresentaram atividade antioxidante semelhante e alta (886,0 e 588,1 μmol de atividade antioxidante equivalente a Trolox por grama de amostra, para ABTS e DPPH, respectivamente) e elevado conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais (73,9 mg de equivalente a ácido gálico por grama de amostra). Embora a anatomia do mesofilo da folha seja semelhante, a deposição de cera e a configuração do estriamento da cutícula na superfície adaxial diferem entre os cinco morfotipos.

Termos para indexação:
Ilex paraguariensis ; capacidade antioxidante; seleção de genótipos; metilxantinas

Introduction

Widely consumed in southern Brazil and Mercosur countries, yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.) is responsible for one of the most important extractive activities in Brazil. Several southern Brazil municipalities have their economy based on yerba mate plantations or extraction from native forests. In addition to the traditional uses as chimarrão, tereré, and mate tea, the current scenario evidences an increasing potential of yerba mate, which has been successfully applied for cosmetic, aesthetic, and culinary purposes (Godoy et al., 2013GODOY, R.C.B. de; DELIZA, R.; GHENO, L.B.; LICODIEDOFF, S.; FRIZON, C.N.T.; RIBANI, R.H.; SANTOS, G.G. dos. Consumer perceptions, attitudes and acceptance of new and traditional mate tea products. Food Research International, v.53, p.801-807, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2013.02.054.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2013.0...
; Alkhatib & Atcheson, 2017ALKHATIB, A.; ATCHESON, R. Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) metabolic, satiety, and mood state effects at rest and during prolonged exercise. Nutrients, v.9, 882, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080882.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080882...
; Barboza & Cazal, 2018BARBOZA, H. de C.; CAZAL, M. de M. Avaliação da influência de características sensoriais e do conhecimento nutricional na aceitação do chá-mate. Brazilian Journal of Food Technology, v.21, e2017075, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-6723.7517.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-6723.7517...
).

The versatility of yerba mate due to the range of its bioactive compounds has aroused interest in the national and international markets. The presence of methylxanthines, saponins, minerals, phenolic acids, and their derivatives gives yerba mate a high antioxidant capacity and other beneficial actions to human health (Valduga et al., 2019VALDUGA, A.T.; GONÇALVES, I.L.; MAGRI, E.; FINZER, J.R.D. Chemistry, pharmacology and new trends in traditional functional and medicinal beverages. Food Research International, v.120, p.478-503, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.10.091.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.1...
). These attributes launch opportunities for research, new technologies, and product development. Also, it contributes to increase importance of this economic sector due to the higher added value of final products.

There is a high phenotypic variation in yerba mate plants whether in natural populations or commercial plantations, which are mainly related to size, hairiness, and leaves and stem color (Resende et al., 1995RESENDE, M.D.V. de; STURION, J.A.; MENDES, S. Genética e melhoramento da erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.). Colombo: Embrapa-CNPF, 1995. 33p. (Embrapa-CNPF. Documnetos, 25).; Wendling et al., 2016WENDLING, I.; STURION, J.A.; REIS, C.A.F.; STUEPP, C.A.; PEÑA PEÑA, M.L. Indirect and expedite assessment of Ilex paraguariensis commercial yield. Cerne, v.22, p.241-248, 2016. D OI: https://doi.org/10.1590/01047760201622032189.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104776020162203...
). Morphologically similar plants are commonly called morphotypes. This polymorphism may be associated with ecological variations or species peculiarity. With large-scale commercial production, another assumption would be the anthropic migration of genotypes from different origins and subsequent crosses.

The knowledge about morphotype peculiarities is essential for prospecting future products and markets, as well as leaf anatomical characteristics, an important feature for the ecology of species. However, species morphological diversity is still little known and explored, and literature on yerba mate morphotypes is quite restricted (Resende et al., 1995RESENDE, M.D.V. de; STURION, J.A.; MENDES, S. Genética e melhoramento da erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.). Colombo: Embrapa-CNPF, 1995. 33p. (Embrapa-CNPF. Documnetos, 25).; Wendling et al., 2016WENDLING, I.; STURION, J.A.; REIS, C.A.F.; STUEPP, C.A.; PEÑA PEÑA, M.L. Indirect and expedite assessment of Ilex paraguariensis commercial yield. Cerne, v.22, p.241-248, 2016. D OI: https://doi.org/10.1590/01047760201622032189.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104776020162203...
). For the next years, the increasing interest of industries and the potential of this species for developing food, energetic drinks, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products from yerba mate leaves.

Due to yerba mate’s economic, social, and ecological importance, it is imperative to research it and observe if, as besides its morphotype visual differences, there are other essential variations.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the bioactive compounds and leaf anatomy of yerba mate morphotypes.

Materials and Methods

The morphotypes used in the present study were “sassafras”, dark green, dull green, gray, and “peludinha” (Wendling et al., 2016WENDLING, I.; STURION, J.A.; REIS, C.A.F.; STUEPP, C.A.; PEÑA PEÑA, M.L. Indirect and expedite assessment of Ilex paraguariensis commercial yield. Cerne, v.22, p.241-248, 2016. D OI: https://doi.org/10.1590/01047760201622032189.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104776020162203...
). All plant materials were collected in a progeny test, in the municipality of Ivaí (25º01'S, 50º47'W, at 650-750 m altitude), in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The morphotypes classification was based in Wendling et al. (2016)WENDLING, I.; STURION, J.A.; REIS, C.A.F.; STUEPP, C.A.; PEÑA PEÑA, M.L. Indirect and expedite assessment of Ilex paraguariensis commercial yield. Cerne, v.22, p.241-248, 2016. D OI: https://doi.org/10.1590/01047760201622032189.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104776020162203...
, who described the characteristics of the morphotypes as: “sassafras” - leaves with a dark green tone and extreme brightness on the limbus adaxial surface; dull green - leaves with a lighter and opaque green color, absence of glare on the adaxial surface; dark green - dark green tone, absence of glare on the leaf adaxial surface; gray morphotype - adaxial surface with greenish-gray color; and “peludinha” - presence of trichomes, especially on the abaxial surface (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Ilex paraguariensis morphotypes: A, “sassafras”; B, dull green; C, dark green; D, gray; E, “peludinha”. A, B, C, D: photo courtesy of Manoela Mendes Duarte. E: photo courtesy of Letícia Siqueira Walter.

In June 2019, mature and injury-free leaves were collected across the canopy circumference of 10 individuals of each morphotype. The leaves were dried in a microwave (Electrolux MEP37, 1,000 W, 2,450 MHz, Manaus, AM, Brazil), and crushed until a thin and homogeneous powder was attained. To prepare the aqueous extract, 10 mg of the ground sample was added to 2 mL of ultrapure water and mixed for 30 s by pulse-vortex. The extractions were performed in Thermomixer Eppendorf equipment (Hamburg, Germany) at 60°C and 300 rpm, for 1 hour, and later filtered through a 0.22 mm nylon filter.

Methylxanthines and caffeoylquinic acids analyses were performed in a liquid chromatograph (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Honshu, Japan) controlled by a LC solution software (Shimadzu). The chromatograph was equipped with an automatic injector and UV detector (SPD-20A), with a Shim-Pack CLC-ODS (M) C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm particle size), protected by a Shim-Pack CLC G-ODS pre-column (100 x 4.0 mm i.d.), both Shimadzu (Kyoto, Japan).

The conditions for compound separation (20 μL injection) were: 30°C with a 0.5 mL per min flow, and the mobile phases consisted of a gradient elution of water with acetic acid 99.9:0.1 v/v (solvent A – Alphatec, Brussels, Belgium) and acetonitrile 100% (solvent B – Merck, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany). The gradient elution program was: 0–15 min (3% B); 15–20 min (3-20% B); 20-40 min (20% B); 40–45 min (20-30% B); 45,55 min (30–100% B); 55–75 min (100% B); 75–80 min (100–3% B); and 80–95 min (3% B). The wavelength used to detect the compounds was 280 nm (fixed).

The identification and quantification of methylxanthines caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) and theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine) was performed using analytical curves (Sigma Standard, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany), with concentrations from 0 to 1.0 mg mL-1 (R2 = 0.9933) and 0 to 0.5 mg mL-1 (R2 = 0.9827), respectively. Caffeoylquinic acids (3-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA), 4-caffeoylquinic acid (4-CQA), 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) were identified and semiquantified from an analytical curve (Sigma) from 0 to 10 mg mL-1 3-CQA (R2 = 0.9914). The results were expressed in milligrams of compound per gram of sample (mg g-1) on a dry basis.

To determine the total phenolic compounds, the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric methodology (Singleton & Rossi, 1965SINGLETON, V.L.; ROSSI, J.A. Colorimetry of total phenolics with phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reagents. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, v.16, p.144-158, 1965.) was followed, with minor modifications. In a volumetric flask, 0.1 mL extract, 6 mL distilled water, and 0.5 mL Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (Sigma) were added and stirred for 1 min in a vortex mixer (Vortex-Genie 2, Scientific Industries, Bohemia, New York, United States). Then, 2 mL of 15% aqueous Na2CO3 solution was added and stirred for 30 s. The final volume was adjusted to 10 mL with distilled water. The reaction remained in the dark, at room temperature (23±2ºC), for 2 hours; afterward, absorbance was measured at 760 nm in the UV-1800/visible scanning spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). The analytical curve was obtained with gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxy benzoic acid) (Dinâmica, Indaiatuba, São Paulo, SP, Brazil) with 0.25 to 13 mg L-1 (R2 = 0.9988), and the results expressed in milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per gram of sample (mg EAG g-1 sample) on a dry basis.

The antioxidant capacity of the extract by the radical ABTS – 2,2-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) – was determined by the reaction of 10 mL ABTS (7 mmol L1, Sigma Aldrich) with 176 µL potassium persulfate (140 mmol L1), for 16 hours, in the dark. Subsequently, 1 mL of this solution was added to sodium acetate buffer (80 mmol L1; pH 4.5), and the solution absorbance was adjusted to 0.70±0.05. An aliquot of 3 mL of the adjusted solution was added to 30 µL of extract. The samples were kept in the dark for 2 hours, at room temperature (23±2ºC), and absorbance was measured at 734 nm in the UV-1800/visible scanning spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan), following Re et al. (1999)RE, R.; PELLEGRINI, N.; PROTEGGENTE, A.; PANNALA, A.; YANG, M.; RICE-EVANS, C. Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, v.26, p.1231-1237, 1999. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(98)00315-3.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(98)00...
and Yim et al. (2013)YIM, H.S.; CHYE, F.Y.; RAO, V.; LOW, J.Y.; MATANJUN, P.; HOW, S.E.; HO, C.W. Optimization of extraction time and temperature on antioxidant activity of Schizophyllum commune aqueous extract using response surface methodology. Journal of Food Science and Technology, v.50, p.275-283, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0349-5.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0349-...
, with minor modifications.

The antioxidant capacity of the extract via free radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine) was determined by using 0.1 mL extract diluted in 3.9 mL DPPH methanolic solution (0.06 mmol L1, Sigma Aldrich) (absorbance 0.50±0.05) and maintained for 30 min in the dark, at room temperature (23±2ºC). Absorbance was measured in the UV-1800 UV/visible scanning spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan), at 515 nm, following Brand-Williams et al. (1995)BRAND-WILLIAMS, W.; CUVELIER, M.E.; BERSET, C. Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT - Food Science and Technology, v.28, p.25-30, 1995. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(95)80008-5.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(95)80...
, with minor modifications.

The analytical curves were obtained with Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchromo-2-carboxylic acid, Sigma Aldrich), with concentrations from 0 to 2,500 μmol L1 (R2 = 0.9896), for the conversion of ABTS radical scavenging absorbance, and concentrations from 0 to 1000 μmol L1 (R2 = 0.9868) for the conversion of DPPH radical scavenging absorbance. Results were expressed in micromoles of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity per gram of sample (μmol TEAC g-1 sample) on a dry basis.

All chemical analyses were performed in triplicate. Data were tested for the homogeneity of variances (Bartlett’s test) and normality of residues (Shapiro-Wilk’s test). When there was a significant difference in the analysis of variance for the parametric variables, the comparison of means was performed by the Tukey’s test, at 5% probability, and the Kruskal-Wallis’ test for the nonparametric variables.

Mature leaves, from the fourth to the eighth knot, from three plants of each morphotype, were collected and fixed in FA A50 (formalin-acetic acid-alcohol). The median region of the leaf blade was fixed, dehydrated in an alcoholic series, embedded in Leica historesin (Wetzlar, Hesse, Germany), and sectioned in a rotation microtome. The slides were stained with toluidine blue, and observed under light microscope (Olympus BX41, Feasterville-Trevose, PA, USA). The same fixation and dehydration process was used to analyze epidermis in a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, the samples were dried by the critical point method, adhered to a metallic support with carbon adhesive tape, metalized with gold and, then, analyzed on an electron microscope (JEOL JSM 6360-LV, Akishima, Tokyo, Japan).

Results and Discussion

Among the bioactive compounds, only the caffeine content showed a significant difference between morphotypes (Figure 2). The dark green morphotype showed the highest caffeine content (20.4 mg g-1), differing significantly only from the “peludinha” morphotype (8.8 mg g-1). Theobromine and the sum of methylxanthines showed no significant difference between all morphotypes.

Figure 2
Total contents of methylxanthines (caffeine and theobromine) in Ilex paraguariensis morphotypes. Bars followed by equal letters do not differ by the Kruskal-Wallis’ test.

Differences for caffeine and theobromine content between morphotypes have already been reported in the literature; however, the results are controversial. Reginatto et al. (1999)REGINATTO, F.H.; ATHAYDE, M.L.; GOSMANN, G.; SCHENKEL, E.P. Methylxanthines accumulation in Ilex species - caffeine and theobromine in erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and other Ilex species. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, v.10, p.443-446, 1999. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-50531999000600004.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-5053199900...
concluded that I. paraguariensis var. vestita (“peludinha” morphotype) shows much lower methylxanthine content than that observed for typical I. paraguariensis; the same trend was observed by Coelho et al. (2001)COELHO, G.C.; ATHAYDE, M.L.; SCHENKEL, E.P. Methylxanthines of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. var. vestita Loes. and var. paraguariensis. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Farmacêuticas, v.37, p.153-158, 2001.. In contrast, Borille et al. (2005)BORILLE, A.M.W.; REISSMANN, C.B.; FREITAS, R.J.S. de. Relação entre compostos fitoquímicos e o nitrogênio em morfotipos de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.). Boletim do Centro de Pesquisa de Processamento de Alimentos, v.23, p.183-198, 2005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5380/cep.v23i1.1279.
https://doi.org/10.5380/cep.v23i1.1279...
did not identify significant differences for caffeine and theobromine, when studying three yerba mate morphotypes (yellow, gray, and “sassafras”), which is corroborated by the findings of the present study for the morphotypes gray and “sassafras”.

There was an inverse relation among caffeine and theobromine content in all morphotypes (Figure 2). This result is due to the gene regulation of caffeine biosynthesis route for I. paraguariensis (Yin et al., 2015YIN, Y.; KATAHIRA, R.; ASHIHARA, H. Metabolism of purine alkaloids and xanthine in leaves of maté (Ilex paraguariensis). Natural Product Communications, v.10, p.707-712, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1501000503.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X15010005...
), for which theobromine is the direct precursor. This inverse relationship was also reported by Cardozo Junior et al. (2010)CARDOZO JUNIOR, E.L.; DONADUZZI, C.M.; FERRARESEFILHO, O.; FRIEDRICH, J.C.; GONELA, A.; STURION, J.A. Quantitative genetic analysis of methylxanthines and phenolic compounds in mate progenies. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.45, p.171-177, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-204x2010000200008.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-204x201000...
and Vieira et al. (2021)VIEIRA, L.M.; MAGGIONI, R. de A.; TOMASI, J. de C.; GOMES, E.N.; WENDLING, I.; HELM, C.V.; KOEHLER, H.S.; ZUFFELLATO-RIBAS, K.C. Vegetative propagation, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of yerba mate genotypes. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization, v.19, p.112-121, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1479262121000150.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S147926212100015...
in yerba mate genotypes. In a study developed with Camellia, the genotypes with high theobromine and low caffeine contents showed a higher gene expression related to the caffeine degradation pathway (Zhu et al., 2019ZHU, B.; CHEN, L.-B.; LU, M.; ZHANG, J.; HAN, J.; DENG, W.-W.; ZHANG, Z.-Z. Caffeine content and related gene expression: Novel insight into caffeine metabolism in Camellia plants containing low, normal, and high caffeine concentrations. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, v.67, p.3400-3411, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b00240.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b00240...
).

From a commercial point of view, different caffeine contents are attractive because they provide an expanded range of products and potential applications. In the same way that high levels of caffeine are desired in energetic and stimulating groceries/beverages, those with low caffeine levels or which are decaffeinated are also the target of several consumers. Alternative products for problems associated with insomnia, hyperactivity, heartburn, and tachycardia represent a market to be exploited (Valduga et al., 2019VALDUGA, A.T.; GONÇALVES, I.L.; MAGRI, E.; FINZER, J.R.D. Chemistry, pharmacology and new trends in traditional functional and medicinal beverages. Food Research International, v.120, p.478-503, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.10.091.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.1...
).

There are still few studies reporting caffeine content as a target for yerba mate breeding programs, but results observed in the literature for this and other compounds indicate the possibility of genetic gains with genotypes selection, especially for caffeine high heritability (Cardozo Junior et al., 2010CARDOZO JUNIOR, E.L.; DONADUZZI, C.M.; FERRARESEFILHO, O.; FRIEDRICH, J.C.; GONELA, A.; STURION, J.A. Quantitative genetic analysis of methylxanthines and phenolic compounds in mate progenies. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.45, p.171-177, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-204x2010000200008.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-204x201000...
; Duarte et al., 2020DUARTE, M.M.; TOMASI, J. de C.; HELM, C.V.; AMANO, E.; LAZZAROTTO, M.; GODOY, R.C.B. de; NOGUEIRA, A.C.; WENDLING, I. Caffeinated and decaffeinated mate tea: effect of toasting on bioactive compounds and consumer acceptance. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias, v.15, e8513, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v15i3a8513.
https://doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v15i3a85...
; Tomasi et al., 2021TOMASI, J. de C.; LIMA, G.G. de; WENDLING, I.; HELM, C.V.; HANSEL, F.A.; GODOY, R.C.B. de; GRUNENNVALDT, R.L.; MELO, T.O. de; TOMAZZOLI, M.M.; DESCHAMPS, C. Effects of different drying methods on the chemical, nutritional and colour of yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis ) leaves. International Journal of Food Engineering, v.17, p.551-560, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijfe-2020-0312.
https://doi.org/10.1515/ijfe-2020-0312...
; Vieira et al., 2021VIEIRA, L.M.; MAGGIONI, R. de A.; TOMASI, J. de C.; GOMES, E.N.; WENDLING, I.; HELM, C.V.; KOEHLER, H.S.; ZUFFELLATO-RIBAS, K.C. Vegetative propagation, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of yerba mate genotypes. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization, v.19, p.112-121, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1479262121000150.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S147926212100015...
). Morphotypes differentiation concerning bioactive compounds can become the target of yerba mate silviculture, with the possibility of introducing genotypes with differentiated raw material.

The antioxidant capacity for both radicals, ABTS and DPPH, and the content of total phenolic compounds did not differ between morphotypes (Table 1). There were similar results for total methylxanthines and caffeoylquinic acids (3-CQA, 4-CQA, 5-CQA, and total CQA) contents. Phenolic compounds act in different ways on human health, showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergenic activities, also inhibiting tumors (Chaicouski et al., 2014CHAICOUSKI, A.; SILVA, J.E. da; TRINDADE, J.L.F. da; CANTERI, M.H.G. Determinação da quantidade de compostos fenólicos totais presentes em extratos líquido e seco de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis). Revista Brasileira de Produtos Agroindustriais, v.16, p.33-41, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15871/1517-8595/rbpa.v16n1p33-41.
https://doi.org/10.15871/1517-8595/rbpa....
). I. paraguariensis is a natural source of phenolic compounds, especially chlorogenic acids and their derivatives that are the main responsible for the species’ high antioxidant activity (Riachi & Maria, 2017RIACHI, L.G.; MARIA, C.A.B. de. Yerba mate: an overview of physiological effects in humans. Journal of Functional Foods, v.38, p.308-320, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.09.020.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.09.02...
). In the present study, all morphotypes showed high antioxidant activity and contents of total phenolic compounds, resulting in excellent raw material for human consumption.

Table 1
Antioxidant capacity ABTS [2,2-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine) radicals, total phenolic compounds (PC), total methylxanthines (MX), and caffeoylquinic acids (CQA), in Ilex paraguariensis morphotypes, in 2019, in the municipality of Ivaí, in the state of Paraná, Brazil(1) (1) Averages followed by equal letters in the columns do not differ, by Tukey’s test, at 5 % probability. .

Regarding the epidermal anatomic characteristics, the deposition of epicuticular wax and striation pattern on the leaf adaxial surface differ between all morphotypes, which was the main anatomical difference observed in the present work (Figure 3). “Sassafras” morphotype (Figure 3 A) shows a deposition of epicuticular wax in poorly defined filaments, with a tendency toward a smoother cuticle and some dispersed wax granules. The dark green morphotype shows a very striated cuticle, with well-defined and prominent filaments and few wax granules (Figure 3 B). The dull green morphotype shows a smooth cuticle, with discrete unidirectional filaments and numerous wax granules that are similar to those of “sassafras” (Figure 3 C). The gray morphotype shows a slight striation, and filaments are less prominent than those observed for the dark green morphotype, with wax granules (Figure 3 D). “Peludinha” morphotype (Figures 3 E and G) shows a very pronounced striation, with wax granules and the presence of trichomes randomly scattered along the adaxial surface, at low de nsit y.

Figure 3
Leaf anatomy of Ilex paraguariensis morphotypes, with the general characterization of the adaxial face in scanning electron microscopy of the morphotypes: A, “sassafras”; B, dull green; C, dark green; D, gray; and E, “peludinha”. The presence of trichomes is illustraded in: F, abaxial face, image of “sassafras” morphotype; and G, central vein detail of “peludinha” morphotype. General anatomical characterization under light microscopy and cross-section showing the central rib (H, “sassafras” morphotype), and dorsiventral mesophyll (I, dull green morphotype). FL, phloem; X, xylem; CR, calcium oxalate crystals; PC, palisade parenchyma; PL, lacunous parenchyma; EP, epidermis; FP, perivascular fibers.

The abaxial surfaces of all morphotypes were very similar, with high stomatal density, stomatic pores without obstruction, and few dispersed wax granules (Figure 3 F). Stomata were not observed on the leaf adaxial surfaces. “Peludinha” morphotype is differentiated on the abaxial surface by the presence of trichomes in higher numbers, especially in the petiole and veins (Figures 3 E and G). In addition to their taxonomic importance, trichomes play a fundamental role for plant protection as a natural barrier against herbivores, radiation, pathogen attack, and excessive transpiration; the distribution and morphology of this anatomical apparatus are related to several factors, including the geographical ones (Xiao et al., 2017XIAO, K.; MAO, X.; LIN, Y.; XU, H.; ZHU, Y.; CAI, Q.; XIE, H.; ZHANG, J. Trichome, a functional diversity phenotype in plant. Molecular Biology, v.6, 183, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2168-9547.1000183.
https://doi.org/10.4172/2168-9547.100018...
).

For yerba mate, trichomes are described and attributed to the botanical variety Ilex paraguariensis var. vestita (“peludinha” morphotype). Its main characteristic is the presence of trichomes on the leaves, inflorescences, and branches surface (Coelho et al., 2001COELHO, G.C.; ATHAYDE, M.L.; SCHENKEL, E.P. Methylxanthines of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. var. vestita Loes. and var. paraguariensis. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Farmacêuticas, v.37, p.153-158, 2001.); according to these authors, the vestita variety occurs naturally in the northeast of Paraná and in the southwest of São Paulo, in a cerrado and transition region. It is assumed that the presence of trichomes is associated with the plant’s origin.

The leaf epidermis is uniseriate, with juxtaposed cells and a larger cell diameter in cross-section on the adaxial surface. The mesophyll is dorsiventral, with palisade parenchyma composed of two to three strata of elongated and juxtaposed cells (Figures 3 H and I). Lacunous parenchyma is formed by cells of different shapes, with irregular distribution loosely arranged. Central vein is biconvex, with a closed arc vascular system, with bundle surrounded by a fiber sheath. Below the palisade parenchyma, large isodiametric parenchymal cells were observed, with druses along the leaf blade (Figures 3 H and 3 I). Same crystals are also observed in the central vein of leaves, close to the vascular bundle (Figure 3 H). All morphotypes showed the same pattern for these anatomical characteristics.

The few anatomical studies for yerba mate focus on differences between leaves subjected to distinct environments (Fermino Junior & Fockink, 2017FERMINO JUNIOR, P.C.P.; FOCKINK, G.D. Anatomia foliar de plantas jovens de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hill.) sob diferentes níveis de sombreamento. Scientia Agraria Paranaensis, v.16, p.335-341, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18188/1983-1471/sap.v16n3p335-341.
https://doi.org/10.18188/1983-1471/sap.v...
; Bastias et al., 2018BASTIAS, C.C.; VALLADARES, F.; RICOTE M., N.; BENAVIDES, R. Local canopy diversity does not influence phenotypic expression and plasticity of tree seedlings exposed to different resource availabilities. Environmental and Experimental Botany, v.156, p.38-47, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2018.08.023.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2018...
), and there are no reports on morphotypes. The results obtained in the present study are of great relevance for the yerba mate ecology and silviculture, and it shows the potential for improving its production system to obtain differentiated products. These results suggest further studies focusing on the sensory evaluation and potential of new products for each morphotype.

Conclusions

  1. The caffeine content differs only between the dark green (highest content) and “peludinha” (less content) Ilex paraguariensis morphotypes.

  2. All five yerba mate morphotypes – “sassafras”, dark green, dull green, gray, and “peludinha” – show similar and high antioxidant capacity, and high content of phenolic compounds.

  3. Although the anatomy of the leaf mesophyll is similar, the deposition of wax and cuticle striation on the adaxial surface differs between all five morphotypes.

Acknowledgments

To Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes – Finance Code 001), for doctoral scholarships; to Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa Florestas), for the technical and logistical support; and to Chimarrão Bitumirim Indústria e Comércio de Erva-mate Ltda., for support to this study.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    28 Mar 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    13 Feb 2021
  • Accepted
    09 June 2021
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