Roasted yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) infusions in bovine milk model before and after in vitro digestion: Bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, protein–polyphenol interactions and bioactive peptides

[Display omitted] •The phytochemical profile of roasted yerba mate was analyzed in infusions prepared with milks.•Bioavailability varied across different milk matrices.•Gastric digestion significantly impacted the release of phenolic compounds.•Protein-phenol interaction did not influence protein digestion.•Peptidomic analysis identified potentially bioactive peptides with a focus on anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Yerba mate is increasingly acknowledged for its bioactive properties and is currently being incorporated into various food and pharmaceutical products. When roasted, yerba mate transforms into mate tea, consumed as a hot aqueous infusion, and has gained popularity. This study investigated the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, protein–polyphenol interactions, antioxidant activity, and bioactive peptides in roasted yerba mate infusions, utilizing whole, semi-skimmed, and skimmed bovine milk models. The phytochemical profile of roasted yerba mate was analyzed in infusions with water and milk (whole, semi-skimmed, and skimmed), before and after in vitro digestion, identifying 18 compounds that exhibited variations in composition and presence among the samples. Bioavailability varied across different milk matrices, with milk being four times more efficient as a solvent for extraction. Gastric digestion significantly impacted (p