The work was carried out at the National University of Misiones (UNAM) in collaboration with the University of Michigan and the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), and began in 2017 and ended in 2023.
“Knowing these genes will allow us to discover which yerba mate plants naturally produce too much or too little caffeine, which will also affect the flavour, being more intense when there is a lot of caffeine, or softer when there is less, and producing decaf,” Rossi said. : “Plants for those with caffeine intolerance.”
He added: “The study has an application in production, as with this knowledge, the yerba mate producer will be able to identify plants that contain high, medium or low levels of caffeine and produce them clonally, to generate a variety of flavors, which will also depend on the growing conditions.”
The University of Michigan lab is a leader in caffeine research in plants, such as guarana, cocoa, tea, coffee, and now yerba mate, which is why it was interested and supported Rossi's work with a grant.
The aim of Rossi's work was to discover the genes involved in caffeine production in yerba mate, of which there are three, an initiative that arose from researchers at UNAM, such as Dr. Pedro Zapata, Dardo Martí and others.
In the framework of the research, the complete genome of Yerna Mate was sequenced, thanks to the work of UBA, thanks to the PRO MATEAR consortium, which includes INYM, the Ministry of Science of the Nation and the Ministry of Education. Sciences Misiones, UBA, and UNAM. The DNA was sequenced in the USA and Brazil, and assembled in Argentina.
Maximiliano Rossi is 41 years old, degree in Genetics, Doctor of Biotechnology, secondary and tertiary teacher, and member of the Science and Research Team of the Ministry of Education in Misiones.
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