Caffeine and related purine alkaloids: biosynthesis, catabolism, function and genetic engineering.

The metabolomic analysis of 11 Ilex species, I. argentina, I. brasiliensis, I. brevicuspis, I. dumosavar. dumosa, I. dumosa var. guaranina, I. integerrima, I. microdonta, I. paraguariensis var. paraguariensis, I. pseudobuxus, I. taubertiana, and I. theezans, was carried out by NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis. The analysis using principal component analysis and classification of the (1)H NMR spectra showed a clear discrimination of those samples based on the metabolites present in the organic and aqueous fractions. The major metabolites that contribute to the discrimination are arbutin, caffeine, phenylpropanoids, and theobromine. Among those metabolites, arbutin, which has not been reported yet as a constituent of Ilex species, was found to be a biomarker for I. argentina,I. brasiliensis, I. brevicuspis, I. integerrima, I. microdonta, I. pseudobuxus, I. taubertiana, and I. theezans. This reliable method based on the determination of a large number of metabolites makes the chemotaxonomical analysis of Ilex species possible.

Classification of Ilex species based on metabolomic fingerprinting using nuclear magnetic resonance and multivariate data analysis.

Maté drinking: caffeine and phenolic acid intake

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the processing stages of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on the moisture content of the leaves and the efficiency of the aqueous extraction of some bioactive substances. Samples of yerba mate were analyzed for caffeine, phenolic acids (caffeic acid, 5-caffeoilquinic acid) and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin) by HPLC equipped with a diode array detector. Processing widely influenced the caffeine and 5-caffeoilquinic acid content of the aqueous extract (p < 0.05), which was related to the moisture content of the leaves. Caffeic acid was present in 45% of the in infusions from dried mate leaves. Quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol were not detected.

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Bioactive compounds content of chimarrão infusions related to the moisture of yerba maté (Ilex Paraguariensis) leaves

Effect of light intensity on methylxanthine contents of Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil

Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline contents were determined in developing and old leaves, bark, wood, and immature and mature fruits of the mate plant (Ilex paraguaryensis Lamb.). Caffeine and theobromine levels were always higher in younger tissues. Analysis in partially shaded plant showed a proportional increase of theobromine when compared to caffeine. Theophylline was not detected in bark, wood and fruits. Additional index terms: Caffeine, metabolism, mate plant, methylxanthines.

Paulo Mazzafera

Papers

CAFFEINE, THEOBROMINE AND THEOPHYLLINE DISTRIBUTION IN Ilex paraguaryensis