| Summary: | <i>Ilex paraguariensis</i><i>A.St.-Hil.</i> (<i>IP</i>) is a South American plant. <i>IP</i>-dried leaves have been consumed in the form of infusion by indigenous peoples since pre-Hispanic times. In recent years, <i>IP</i> has gained many beverage markets and new ways of consumption, reaching the category of a global consumer product. A side consequence is the increase in <i>IP</i> crops for the specification of human consumption. This situation is the driving force for the investigation of new uses of <i>IP</i>, including feed supplements for livestock and functional food for human consumption. A deep understanding of the influence of processing on the nutritional value of <i>IP</i> is crucial for the development of these alternative products. It is known that the quality and quantity of nutritional compounds occurring in <i>IP</i> depend on the origin, plant condition, and harvest time. However, the effects of the drying method of the leaves and the ageing time of dried leaves on the final <i>IP</i> products deserve further investigation. The present work presents the variation of the nutritional, digestibility, energy, and mineral assets of <i>IP</i> submitted to three different processes: open-air dried and crushed; dried under direct fire and grounded; and dried under direct fire, grounded, and aged for 6 months under controlled conditions. The presence of agrochemical residues and antinutritional factors were also studied. Processing widely influenced the nutritional and digestibility assets of <i>IP</i> leaves. The inorganic content (K, Mg, Ca, P, Zn, B and Fe) significantly varied among leaves treated using different processes. <i>IP</i> samples dried in open air resulted in the highest % of crude protein, Mg, K, S, and Mn. <i>IP</i> samples dried under direct fire resulted in the highest % of carbohydrates and Fe. <i>IP</i> samples dried under direct fire and aged for 6 months resulted in the highest % of digestible matter, Ca, P, Zn, and B. The results also showed quality protein levels between 10.03 and 19.06% of dry matter. The digestibility values showed that <i>IP</i> leaves are suitable for human functional foods and for enriched supplements for livestock feeds. No traces of agrochemicals or antinutritional factors were found.
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