# Intensified Multistep Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Leaves: A Techno-Economic and Environmental Approach

## TL;DR

A new multistage extraction method for phenolic compounds from yerba mate is shown to be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than traditional methods.

## Contribution

The study introduces an intensified multistage extraction process that reduces costs and environmental impact while maintaining extract quality.

## Key findings

- Multistage extraction achieves similar antioxidant potential as conventional methods but with lower costs and energy use.
- The optimal extraction condition was found to be 70 °C with a 0.5 g yerba mate per 100 mL water ratio.
- The intensified process reduces total capital investment and CO2 emissions compared to conventional extraction.

## Abstract

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.