Toxic and nutrient elements were investigated in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) from South America. Fifty-four brands of commercialised yerba mate from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay were analysed for Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Sr, and Zn, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and Li, Be, Ti, V, Cr, Ni, Co, As, Se, Rb, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, La, Ce, Pb, Bi and U using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Antimony, Se, Ag and Bi were not detected in any sample whereas the limits of detection (LODs) of these elements were 0.19, 0.40, 0.003 and 0.001 μg g(-1), respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the concentrations of Cd, Ti, Ni, As, Mo, U, Li and Be in yerba mate were not statistically different with regard to the country of origin, while those of the other investigated elements differed.
Keywords: ICP-MS; ICP-OES; elemental analysis; toxic and nutrient elements; yerba mate.