Intensified Multistep Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Leaves: A...

In the current work, an alternative intensified methodology for the extraction of phenolic compounds from yerba mate is proposed, considering the use of sequential multistages. Conventional single-stage extraction was optimized in its key parameters (temperature and solid/liquid ratio), and its kinetics were evaluated. The multistage extraction process was evaluated considering two and four stages, considering the results on the antioxidant potential of the final extract. A scale-up simulation was conducted, considering the processing of 25 kg of yerba mate a day, and economic and environmental aspects were considered. The best extraction condition was achieved at 70 °C with 0.5 g yerba mate 100 mL^-1 water. Intensified multistage processes and conventional ones resulted in final extracts with similar antioxidant potential (493.0-526.5 mg GAE L^-1), highlighting that the three processes can be used for the obtention of the same product. Regarding the economic aspects, using the multistage extraction processes results in a considerable decrease in the Total Capital Investment of a yerba mate plant extract. Finally, environmental analysis shows that the multistep process is more eco-friendly than the conventional one, as it exhibits considerably lower energy consumption and lower CO₂ emissions. The intensified multistage extraction process is a green and eco-friendly alternative to conventional extraction processes, with potential for implementation in several plant extract industries.