Methylxanthines and phenolic compounds in mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) progenies grown in Brazil

Methylxanthines and phenolic compounds contents of 16 mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) progenies from four Brazilian regions (Ivaí, Quedas do Iguaçu, Cascavel and Barão de Cotegipe) and those grown in three places within in the state of Paraná (Ivaí, Rio Azul and Guarapuava) were evaluated. Results revealed significant changes in total methylxanthines, caffeine and theobromine contents in progenies, according to their origin. Total methylxanthines (0.560–0.734%) and caffeine (0.490–0.611%) contents followed the order Ivaí<Quedas do Iguaçu<Barão de Cotegipe<Cascavel. Theobromine (0.132–0.068%) contents were inversely related to caffeine contents. Chlorogenic acid in the Cascavel progenie was lower (0.786%) than that in the others (0.861–0.915%). No change occurred in total phenol and caffeic acid contents between progenies with regard to their origin. In the case of planting site, Rio Azul progenies contained low methylxanthines (0.574%) when compared to progenies from Ivaí (0.678%) and Guarapuava (0.739%). Caffeine (0.426–0.695%) contents were in the following order: Rio Azul<Ivaí<Guarapuava. Total phenol (7.910–9.591%) contents were Ivaí<Rio Azul<Guarapuava whereas high cholorogenic acid contents were detected in Rio Azul (0.953%) and Guarapuava (0.911%) progenies, and high caffeic acid occurred in Ivaí (0.018%) and Guarapuava (0.020%) progenies.