Multiblock NIR and MIR spectralprint through AComDim to evaluate the effects of growing site, harvest season, and clone on yerba mate leaves composition

The composition of yerba mate implies significant potential in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, which requires standardization of the raw material. This study explores the simultaneous influence of growing sites, harvest seasons, and clones on the spectralprint of leaves through near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy coupled with ANOVA Common Dimensions (AComDim) multivariate analysis. MIR spectroscopy identifies only the main effects of growing site and harvesting season, and the interaction between these factors. The NIR spectralprint identifies all main effects and interactions. Growing site and harvesting season individually account for approximately 7 % of the variance in the chemical composition of yerba mate, with their interaction contributing with 5.7 %. Clonal variation significantly affects the spectral profile with approximately 4 % variance, which allowed the identification of clones with the highest chemical divergence. The study demonstrates that biospectroscopics and chemometrics can enhance yerba mate quality through clonal selection and optimized agricultural practices.