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Caffeine and theobromine composition of mate (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves in five plantations of Misiones, Argentina

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Abstract

Marked differences regarding both caffeine and theobromine contents of mate leaves (Ilex paraguariensis) were found among 230 mass selected candidate trees distributed across 5 plantations in the region of Misiones, Argentina. In the vast majority of the analyzed samples, the caffeine concentrations ranged within the established limits for mate leaves, however theobromine contents (average content 0.96%) generally surpassed literature figures so far published [4,10]. By means of a simple cluster analysis using “group average” as the clustering algorithm, the samples were divided into eight different groups according to the contents of both purine alkaloids. Based upon this division it will be possible to pick appropriate genotypes for breeding ideotypes which meet more precisely the different specific consumer expectations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food Science and Food Chemistry, University of Bonn, Argentina

    F. Marx & M.J.J. Janssens

  2. PINDO S.A., Pto Esperanza, Argentina

    P. Urfer & R. Scherer

Authors
  1. F. Marx
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  2. M.J.J. Janssens
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  3. P. Urfer
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  4. R. Scherer
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Marx, F., Janssens, M., Urfer, P. et al. Caffeine and theobromine composition of mate (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves in five plantations of Misiones, Argentina. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 58, 1–8 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:QUAL.0000041144.28025.fc

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:QUAL.0000041144.28025.fc

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