(diameter greater than 10 mm) of erva-mate that are discarded onto the soil during harvesting,
generating
approximately
5
t
of
solid
waste
per
hectare.
That
study revealed higher concentrations of phenolic compounds
than
those
found
in
the
leaves.
The
mate
plant,
or
erva-mate,
is
an
arboreal
species
that
naturally
grows
in
the
regions
oftemperate and subtropical climate in Brazil, Paraguay and
Argentina.
It
is
mainly
cultivated
by
small
farmers;
therefore
it
is
of
great
socioeconomic
importance