Características morfológicas e teores de cafeína e teobromina entre ervais nativos sombreados e pleno sol

Abstract

Yerba mate is a plant characteristic of the southern region of South America, being used for the manufacture of products such as cosmetics, medicines, beverages, chimarrão and tereré, with a variation in its form of cultivation in terms of luminosity and producing regions. This variation is influenced by some factors, such as climate, altitude, precipitation, among others that result in differentiation in the shape of the tree and its chemical composition. Methylxanthines are chemical compounds found in yerba mate explored by the industry because they have stimulant, anti-inflammatory, and other properties, and the differentiation of producing regions, as well as the raw material generated according to their specific properties, shows something with great potential for exploration. The present work aimed to evaluate the morphological and chemical characteristics among native herbs under different conditions of light and altitude. Four treatments were determined varying between areas with altitude approx. 790 m and 1,100 m and areas with shade and full sun. Thirty individuals were selected per area, obtaining dendrometric variables, leaf area and geographic coordinates of each individual. In addition, leaves were collected for chemical analysis and obtaining methylxanthines contents. The work was conducted in a completely randomized design (DIC), and the data were processed using the R software, with the “EasyAnova” package and using the Qgis software to generate interpolated maps. The methylxanthines contents were obtained through chemical analysis of leaves. As a result, a negative regular correlation was obtained between the caffeine and theobromine contents in the study areas, as well as a strong positive correlation between total height and crown length. The area with the highest altitude and in full sun had the highest average trunk diameter and crown diameter, whereas the area with altitude approx. 790 m and shaded had the highest average total height, crown length and larger leaf area. For caffeine content, no differentiation between the proposed treatments was identified, and both altitude and shading did not affect the chemical concentration of caffeine in the plants. As for theobromine, treatment 1, that is, the Prudentópolis area under full sun was superior to the others. The geographical distribution of individuals did not show a trend towards the concentrations of methylxanthines. Therefore, it is indicated that the raw material used in the manufacture of products based on methylxanthines, mainly theobromine, is acquired in areas with an approximate altitude of 790 m, where it presented higher theobromine contentes.