Silva et al. (2011) suggested that mate consumption could decrease body weight and adiposity, most probably because of caffeine’s ability to increase thermogenesis. Moreover, Strassmann et al. (2008) noted that treatments performed with mate extract and with caffeine on the vascular membranes of chick embryos

yolk sac showed pro-vasculogenic and angiogenic properties and also embryonic growth enhancement. However, based on available evidence, it is suggested that caffeine intake should be less than 300 mg caffeine per day (equivalent to 4.6 mg/kg/day in a 65 kg person) while children should consume less than 2.5 mg/kg/day; Nawrot et al., Dorsomorphin in vitro 2003). The leaves of Ilex paraguariensis contain a significant amount of triterpenoid saponins. These compounds are highly water-soluble and are responsible for the typically bitter taste of mate. Saponins may be used as a chemical fingerprint for authentication of mate. Adulteration by variable quantities of leaves of other Ilex species is rather common ( Heck & Mejia, 2007). Concentration of mate extract by NF increased the total saponin content by 211%. According to the data in Table 1, the total saponin content of the concentrated mate extract was 366 ± 14.0 μg/mL. Similar results were reported by Silva et al. (2011) for aqueous extract of NSC 683864 unprocessed

mate, 387 ± 1.58 μg/mL; however, the concentration of the extract used in that study was 7 g of ground leaves in 100 mL of water. Such high saponin content in concentrated mate extract not

only affects the flavour of the extract, but also provides hypocholesterolaemic properties. The potential cholesterol-lowering properties were reported in a work of Morais et al. (2009), Cobimetinib manufacturer where consumption of approximately 130 and 350 mg of saponins in yerba mate infusion provided further decrease in LDL-cholesterol in subjects undergoing statin therapy. Puangpraphant, Berhow, and Mejia (2011) also stated that the saponins of mate prevent inflammation and colon cancer in vitro. The concentrated mate extract showed an amount of condensed tannins approximately 278% higher than the mate extract. Studies on condensed tannins take on greater importance when considering the impact of these compounds on nutrition. Despite the known antinutritional activity of condensed tannins, Okuda (2005) reported several health-promoting effects of these compounds, such as inhibition of lipid peroxidation, carcinogen mutagenicity, and tumours, and at the same time they promote antiviral activity, and potentiation of antibacterial activity. In addition, according to the results shown in Table 1, the concentration of total chlorophyll content in the concentrated mate extract obtained by NF was 321% higher compared to that of the mate extract.