Oxidases from mate tea leaves (Ilex paraguariensis): extraction optimization and stability at low and high temperatures.

Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an important natural product in the economic and cultural context of Brazil. Peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase have been responsible for quality deterioration and browning in mate. The objective of this work was to investigate a methodology of extraction and enzymatic activity determination of oxidases present in mate tea leaves and to evaluate the oxidases stability.