Genetic variation of phytochemical compounds in progenies of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.

• Main Authors: Euclides Lara Cardozo Junior, Carmem Maria Donaduzzi, Ivan Schuster, Keiko Leonice Nakamura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Society of Plant Breeding 2009-01-01
• Series: Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology
• Subjects: Aquifoliaceae; triterpene saponins; methylxanthines; chlorogenic acid; antioxidant activity.
• Online Access: http://www.sbmp.org.br/cbab/siscbab/uploads/c8eb9791-e4cc-9ef6.pdf

Mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil) contains phytochemical compounds capable of preventing a number of healthproblems. Knowledge on the genetic contribution to the variability in these compounds can help to obtain mate progenies withhigher levels thereof in breeding programs. The composition of triterpene saponins, methylxanthines, chlorogenic acid andthe antioxidant activity of eight mate progenies were evaluated. Significant differences among progenies were verified incontents of triterpene saponins (0.003-0.080%), caffeine (0.226-1.377%), theobromine (0.176-0.831%), and chlorogenicacid (1.344-2.031%) and in antioxidant activity (31.251-51.406%). The contents of theobromine were found to be negativelycorrelated with saponins and caffeine, and caffeine with chlorogenic acid, while theobromine was positively correlated withchlorogenic acid. The heritability values for saponins (75.09%), caffeine (75.19%), theobromine (66.87%), chlorogenic acid(52.86%) and antioxidant activity (67.75%) indicate the possibility of genetic gain in selection for these traits.