Multi-elemental Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Commercial Yerba Mate from Brazil

Consumption of yerba mate occurs mostly in the form of hot infusion ( chimarrão ). Water solubility of elements found in commercialized yerba mate is needed to establish nutritional value and risks associated with potentially toxic elements. In this study, yerba mate products marketed in three Brazilian states ( Paraná , Santa Catarina , and Rio Grande do Sul ) for chimarrão were analyzed. Total (dry product) and hot water-soluble concentrations of Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP–MS). Total concentrations of the ten top elements followed the order of K>Ca>Mg>Mn>P>S>Al>Fe>Ba>Zn. The most soluble elements were B, Cs, Ni, Rb, and K, with values greater than 80%. The lowest water-soluble elements were V, Fe, and Ti (values