Abstract This study evaluated color and reflectance spectra during industrial process of yerba mate leaves and tested the potential of these parameters to predict moisture and tannin content, to be applied as an auxiliary tool in quality control in industry. Two groups of yerba mate samples were evaluated: one grown under organic and another under conventional conditions. The results indicate an increase in lightness, loss of the green color, although less marked in the organic samples, an increase of yellow in both types of samples along processing due to moisture removal at high temperatures. For moisture content, reflectance curve can be applied with R2 ≥ 0.9, and for tannin content the sum of b* parameter and spectra in region 590-700 nm are recommended. Color parameters and reflectance spectra can be applied for a preliminary evaluation of moisture and tannin content in the yerba mate industry, contributing for the quality control of samples.

RESUMO A erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) é uma espécie climácica, bastante adaptada ao sombreamento, por isso, cada vez mais cultivada em consórcio com outras espécies madeiráveis, e de forma mais intensiva de que a sua exploração tradicional. Para manter níveis de produtividade adequados é necessário o uso de fertilizantes que deem aporte nutricional às plantas. Os teores de substâncias do metabolismo secundário da planta, como as metilxantinas e os compostos fenólicos, podem ser afetados por esse tipo de manejo mais intensivo, já que o sombreamento e a adubação influenciam a fisiologia da planta. Objetivando a determinação de teores de metilxantinas e compostos fenólicos totais em folhas de erva-mate, produzidas sob luminosidade aparente de 30, 45 e 60%, e fertilização convencional (FC) (N, P2O5 e K2O 15-05-30) e de liberação lenta (N, P2O5 e K2O 15-08-12), foi proposto esse estudo para duas estações de crescimento nos anos de 2011 e 2012. A fertilização da erva-mate associada aos níveis de luminosidade aparente não promoveram o aumento de teores de metilxantinas totais e compostos fenólicos totais. A luminosidade aparente de 30% estabeleceu o melhor indicador para obtenção de metilxantinas, sendo que a fertilização FC apresentou a maior produção de metilxantinas, quando submetida à luminosidade aparente de 30 e 45%. Houve incremento do teor dos compostos fenólicos da estação de crescimento 2011 para 2012 promovido pelos tratamentos fertilizados com FLL e FC sob a luminosidade aparente de 30% e 60%.

ABSTRACT The Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) is a climax species adapted to low light, and that is why is more cultivated in consortium with other species of woods and more intensively that their traditional exploration. To maintain adequate levels of productivity, it is necessary the use of a fertilizer that gives nutritional intake to plants. The levels of substances of plant secondary metabolism as methylxanthines and phenolic compounds may be affected by this type of intensive management since the shading and fertilization influence the physiology of the plant. Aiming the determination of the levels of totals methylxanthines and phenolic compounds, produced under relative brightness of 30, 45 and 60%, and conventional fertilization (N, P2O5 and K2O 15-05-30) and slow release (N, P2O5 and K2O 15-08-12), this study was proposed for two growing seasons 2011 e 2012. The fertilization of mate tea associated with the apparent brightness levels did not promote increased levels of totals methylxanthines and phenolic compounds. The apparent brightness of 30% established the best indicator to obtain methylxanthines, and the conventional fertilization had the highest fertilization production of methylxanthine, when subjected to the apparent brightness of 30 and 45 %. There was an increase of the content of phenolic compounds of the growing season 2011 to 2012 promoted by the fertilization treatment with FLL and FC under the apparent brightness of 30% and 60%.