Peroxidase-like activity of Ilex paraguariensis

C. ANESINI; G.FERRARO; R. FILIP

FOOD CHEMISTRY

ELSEVIER

Año: 2006 vol. 97 p. 459 - 464

0308-8146

Ilex  paraguariensis St. Hil. (Aquifoliaceae) is widely exploited in northeastern Argentina, southern Brasil and eastern Paraguay. The product of its industrialisation named “Mate” or "Yerba Mate" is used to prepare a tea like beverage (infusions or decoctions). Reactive oxygen species  (ROS) are well known to participate in different diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, vascular, neurodegenerative and periodontal disease. Normally, enzymes like peroxidases, superoxide dismutase and catalase eliminate ROS. In this work, the peroxidase-like activity of aqueous extracts from Ilex paraguariensis and I. paraguariensis commercial sample "Yerba Mate" was determined. Caffeoyl derivatives (chlorogenic and caffeic acid) and total polyphenols content were determined  in order to establish a relation between their percent  content and peroxidase activity.  Both aqueous extracts presented peroxidase-like activity, but I. paraguariensis was significantly more active than "Yerba Mate". The antioxidant activity expressed as peroxidase-like activity was significantly related to total polyphenol content.