PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF ILEX DUMOSA^*

Ilex dumosa Reisseck var. dumosa, vulgar names caá-chiri; caá-chirivi; caúna dos capões; congonha; congonilla, among others is a species that has been used as a common adulterant or substitute of the mate herb or “yerba mate” (Ilex paragua-riensis).

Given the lack of research on this species, its study was undertaken in order to isolate, identify and quantify the compounds presents in I. dumosa.

The main caffeoylderivatives presents in Ilex dumosa are chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and cynarin, as well as the three isochlorogenic acid isomers 3,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQ), 4,5 DCQ and 3,5 DCQ.

Flavonoids rutin and quercetin are also present.

However, I. dumosa.contains only traces of xanthines.

The analysis of the obtained results supports the potential use of I. dumosa as a decaffeinated substitute for the “yerba mate”.