Attempt to Classify the Yerba Mate According to the Country of Origin Based on Color Parameters

Abstract

Infusions prepared from yerba mate are good sources of antioxidants, especially polyphenols in the diet. The aim of this work is to evaluate the color parameters of the yerba mate leaves in order to identify the samples of yerba mate grown and processed in different regions of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Significant differences were observed for most color parameters, indicating the possibility to classify the yerba mate samples by statistical analysis. The results indicated that the country of origin, as well as the brand, among Argentinian samples of yerba mate had a significant effect on color parameters (CIEL*a*b*). However, the most significant differences were detected between yerba mate from Brazil and samples from other countries.

Keywords

• yerba mate
• color parameters
• identification
• parametry barwy
• identyfikacja