Albumin causes a synergistic increase in the antioxidant activity of green tea catechins in oil-in-water emulsions

Model oil-in-water emulsions containing epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) showed a synergistic increase in stability in emulsions containing added albumin. EGCG showed a stronger synergy (35%) with ovalbumin than did EC. Oxidation of the oil was monitored by determining peroxide values and hexanal contents. The effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on model oil-in-water emulsions containing each of the green tea catechins [epicatechin gallate (ECG), EGCG, EC and epigallocatechin (EGC)] was studied during storage at 30 °C. The green tea catechins showed moderate antioxidant activity in the emulsions with the order of activity being ECG ≈ EGCG > EC > EGC. Although BSA had very little antioxidant activity in the absence of phenolic antioxidants, the combination of BSA with each of the catechins showed strong antioxidant activity. BSA, in combination with EC, EGCG or EGC, showing the strongest antioxidant activity with good stability after 45 days storage. Model experiments with the catechins stored with BSA in aqueous solutions confirmed that protein–catechin adducts with antioxidant activity were formed between the catechins and protein. The antioxidant activity of the separated protein–catechin adducts increased strongly with storage time and was stronger for EGCG and ECG than for EC or EGC.     

Determination of catechins in green tea infusions by reduced flow micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A sulfated-β-cyclodextrin (s-β-CD) modified reduced flow micellar electrokinetic chromatography (RF-MEKC) method was developed and validated for the determination of catechins in green tea. The optimal electrolyte consisted of 0.2% triethylamine, 50 mmol/L SDS and 0.8% s-β-CD (pH = 2.9), allowing baseline separation of five catechins in 4 min. The samples and standards were injected at 0.6 psi for 5 s under constant voltage of −30 kV. Sample preparation simply involved extraction of 2 g of tea with 200 mL water at 95 °C under constant stirring for 5 min. The method demonstrated excellent performance, with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.02–0.1 and 0.1–0.5 μg/mL, respectively, and recovery percentages of 94–101%. The method was applied to six samples of Brazilian green tea infusions. Epigallocatechin gallate (23.4–112.4 μg/mL) was the major component, followed by epigallocatechin (18.4–78.9 μg/mL), epicatechin gallate (5.6–29.6 μg/mL), epicatechin (4.6–14.5 μg/mL) and catechin (3.2–8.2 μg/mL).     

Fingerprint of volatile flavour constituents and antioxidant activities of teas from Thailand

The volatile flavour components of different teas growing in Thailand were extracted using the simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE) technique. These volatiles were investigated by GC–MS. At least 54 components representing 76.51–83.32% of all samples were identified. Hotrienol, geraniol and linalool were found to be the major components in Green Oolong tea. Green Assam tea contained linalool, geraniol and α-terpineol as the key flavour constituents. Chin Shin Oolong tea was dominated by linalool, indole and cis-jasmone whilst the major flavour volatiles of Chin Hsuan Oolong tea were trans-nerolidol, cis-jasmone and geraniol. Indole, geraniol and cis-jasmone were detected as the main constituents in Four Season tea. Change of quality and quantity of volatile flavour components was related to fermentation methods that increased volatiles were illustrated by the semi-fermented tea processing method. Green Assam tea infusion extract was evaluated to have the strongest antioxidant activities with the highest amount of phenol content followed by Four Season tea, Chin Shin Oolong tea, Chin Hsuan Oolong tea and Green Oolong tea, respectively.     

The effect of ascorbic acid,citric acid and low pH on the extraction of green tea: How to get most out of it

Green tea seems to have a positive impact on health due to the therein-found flavanols. The amounts of these substances depend on tea preparation. In this paper, the influence of steeping time (3–7 min) and temperature (70–100 °C) on the content of the main flavanols in green tea (epicatechin EC, epicatechin gallate ECg, epigallocatechin EGC, and epigallocatechin gallate EGCg) is presented. Furthermore, additives (phosphate buffers, ascorbic acid in different amounts, and citric acid) are used to investigate the influence of pH, antioxidative, and chelating agents, simulating the addition of lemon juice or pure vitamin C.     

A simple and rapid turbidimetric method for determining catechins in beverages

We have developed a simple and rapid turbidimetric method to determine catechins based on the fact that many polyphenols produce hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline environment and that hydrogen peroxide oxidises cerium to generate cerium oxide precipitates. Four catechins (epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate) aggregated with these precipitates to form massive precipitates with increased turbidity. The catechins solution (0.18 mL) was mixed with 0.02 mL of 1% CeCl₃ solution, and absorbance (650 nm) was measured immediately after agitation for 3 min using a spectrophotometer. Absorbance was strongly correlated (0.99) with the concentration of each catechin compound. For commercially bottled green tea, the estimated catechin content determined using this turbidimetric method showed better correlation with the content determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography than that determined using ferrous tartrate method, which is the official Japanese method for determining the tannin content of green tea.     

Effects of cosolvents on the decaffeination of green tea by supercritical carbon dioxide

Due to the adverse effects of the caffeine in a variety of plant products, many methods have been explored for decaffeination, in efforts to remove or reduce the caffeine contained in plant materials. In this study, in order to remove caffeine from green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves, we have employed supercritical carbon dioxide (SC–CO₂), which is known to be an ideal solvent, coupled with a cosolvent, such as ethanol or water. By varying the extraction conditions, changes not only in the amount of caffeine, but also in the quantities of the principal bioactive components of green tea, including catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epicatechin (EC), were determined. The extraction conditions, including temperature, pressure and the cosolvent used, were determined to affect the efficacy of caffeine and catechin extraction. In particular, the type and concentration of a cosolvent used constituted critical factors for the caffeine removal, combined with minimal loss of catechins, especially EGCG. When the dry green tea leaves were extracted with SC–CO₂ modified with 95% (v/v) ethanol at 7.0 g per 100 g of CO₂ at 300 bar and 70 °C for 120 min, the caffeine content in the decaffeinated green tea leaves was reduced to 2.6% of the initial content. However, after the SC–CO₂ extraction, a substantial loss of EGCG, as much as 37.8% of original content, proved unavoidable.     

GREEN TEA CATECHINS AS INHIBITORS OF OXIDATION OF MEAT LIPIDS

Antioxidant activity of green tea catechins, namely, epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was evaluated in a meat model system. The inhibitory effect on 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of catechins was concentration dependent, being highest at 200 mg/kg. At 200 mg/kg, the antioxidant activity of catechins as evaluated by TBA values was EGCG ≈ ECG > EGC > EC. The hexanal and pentanal contents in the headspace volatiles of meats treated with catechins at 200 mg/kg was also evaluated. These results indicated that EGCG was most active followed by ECG and EGC; EC was least effective. In comparison with α-tocopherol, catechins were generally more effective in controlling oxidation of meat lipids. Based on TBA results, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was less effective, but exerted a better effect than catechins in prevention of oxidation as evidenced by the hexanal/pentanal data.     

In vitro human skin permeation and cutaneous metabolism of catechins from green tea extract and green tea extract-loaded chitosan microparticles

Catechins are major antioxidants in green tea (Camellia sinensis or Camellia assamica), but because they do not permeate the skin well, the application of green tea in cosmetic products has so far been limited. This study aims to evaluate the cutaneous absorption of catechins from an extract of green tea and from a green tea extract-loaded chitosan microparticle. The catechin skin metabolism was also examined. The results suggest that chitosan microparticles significantly improve the ability of catechins to permeate skin. The cutaneous metabolism of the catechins significantly affected their permeation profiles. Epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin (EGC) penetrated the skin more than epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG). The galloyl groups in EGCG and ECG were enzymatically hydrolysed to EGC and EC, respectively. Dehydroxylation of catechins was also observed. Chitosan microparticles effectively prevented enzymatic changes of the catechins; therefore, chitosan microparticles are here found to be the promising carriers for enhancing the skin permeation.     

Polyphenol contents of Pu-Erh teas and their abilities to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis in Hep G2 cell line

Thirty samples of Pu-Erh tea (a microbial fermented Chinese tea) were collected and assayed for cholesterol synthesis inhibitory activity and polyphenol composition. All samples were able to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis in Hep G2 cell model and the inhibition ratios ranged from 7% to 35%. The inhibition abilities of tea polyphenol standards were in the order of gallocatechin gallate (GCG) > epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) > epicatechin gallate (ECG) > gallic acid > epigallocatechin (EGC) > myricetin > quercetin > catechin (C) > epicatechin (EC). It appears that catechins with a galloyl structure on the B ring or a gallic acid moiety in the structure would have better inhibitory activity. In summary, tea polyphenol may play a role on the cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitory ability of Pu-Erh tea.     

Characterization of anthocyanins in Kenyan teas: Extraction and identification

Characterization and quantification of anthocyanins in selected tea cultivars processed into black (aerated) and green (unaerated) tea products was carried out in this study. The anthocyanins were extracted from tea products processed from a number of newly bred purple leaf coloured Kenyan tea cultivars (Camellia sinensis) using acidified methanol/HCl (99:1 v/v). Extracted anthocyanins were purified by C₁₈ solid phase extraction (SPE) catridges and characterised by HPLC-UV-Visible. They were identified according to their HPLC retention times, elution order and comparison with authentic standards that were available. Total monomeric anthocyanins were determined by the pH-differential method. Although the tea cultivars gave different yields of anthocyanins, the unaerated (green) teas had significantly (p ? 0.05) higher anthocyanin content than the aerated (black) teas. This was attributed to the degradation of anthocyanins by polyphenol oxidase products (catechin O-quinones) formed during the auto-oxidation (fermentation) process of black tea manufacture. Of the six most common natural anthocyanidins, five were identified in the purified extracts from purple leaf coloured tea, in both aerated (black) and unaerated (green) teas namely; delphinidin, cyanidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and malvidin. The most predominant anthocyanidin was malvidin in both tea products. In addition, two anthocyanins namely, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were also identified. Tea catechins were also identified in the tea products derived from the purple coloured tea cultivars namely, epigallocatechin (EGC), catechin (+C), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and epicatechin gallate (ECG). Correlation between the total catechins versus the total anthocyanins and anthocyanin concentration in unaerated teas revealed significant negative correlations (r = −0.723^∗ and r = −0.743^∗∗, p ? 0.05 and p ? 0.01, respectively). However, in aerated (black) tea the correlations were insignificant (r = −0.182 and r = −0.241, p > 0.05).     

Quantitative and Qualitative Portrait of Green Tea Catechins (Gtc) Through Hplc

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a prosperous source of polyphenols, especially catechins. In the current research, an effort was made to optimize the extraction conditions for maximum yield of catechins from the local green tea Qi-Men. For the purpose, three different solvents were used, i.e., aqueous ethanol (50%), aqueous methanol (50%), and water at different time intervals (20, 40, and 60 min). Green tea catechins were quantified through HPLC using a C18 column and UV detector. The antioxidant activity of green tea catechins was measured through in vitro tests including DPPH radical scavenging ability and antioxidant activity. Results showed that extraction through aqueous ethanol resulted in maximum yield of green tea catechins (17400 ± 0.19 mg/100 g green tea leaves. Moreover, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin ranged from 4.26 ± 0.09 to 6.4 ± 0.2, 12.1 ± 0.123 to 17.7 ± 0.3, 1.32 ± 0.03 to 1.81 ± 0.02, 5.48 ± 0.099 to 8.6 ± 0.2 g/100 g of dry-extract, respectively. Furthermore, highest antiradical (80.65 ± 3.69%) and antioxidant activity (67.12 ± 3.08%) were observed in catechins extracted through aqueous ethanol.     

Influence of processing conditions on flavour compounds of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.)

Changes in volatile compounds of fruit pulp of Annona squamosa, as influenced by the conditions of processing, were studied. Sweet and pleasant flavored pulp from mature ripe fruits was subjected to treatments such as frozen and stored (for 12 months), heated to 55 °C (critical temperature) and 85 °C (pasteurization temperature) for 20 min each, and spray dried with skim and whole milk powders. Volatiles from these samples were extracted into dichloromethane and n-pentane (1:1), and were subjected to gas chromatograph (GC) and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis for identification and quantification of chemical constituents. Terpenes such as α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool, germacrene-d and spathulenol, esters like sec-butylbutanoate, and methyllinolenate, along with benzyl alcohol and two oxygenated sesquiterpenes were found to be the major volatiles of the fresh pulp. The 12-month-stored frozen pulp did not differ from the fresh pulp in the flavour spectrum. Heating fresh pulp at 55 and 85 °C, tended to produce increased flavour spectrum, the compounds relatively being more at 85 °C. At 55 °C, significant increase in the quantities of α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool, germacrene and spathulenol were observed; higher quantities of cineole, limonene, α-cubebene and α-copaene, caryophyllene, α-farnecene and δ-cadenene were formed, while these were totally absent in fresh pulp. Significant increase in quantities of α-pinene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, aromadendrene, α-farnecene, γ-cadenene, δ-cadenene and spathulenol were found by heating pulp at 85 °C. Spray-dried samples, showed increased flavor note with the use of whole milk powder as compared to the skim milk powder.     

Hydrolysis of epigallocatechin gallate using a tannase from Paecilomyces variotii

Epigallocatechin (EGC) and gallic acid (GA) were prepared by the degalloylation of an epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) extract from green tea. EGCG was entirely hydrolyzed using a tannase (from Paecilomyces variotii) at pH 6.0, incubating at 40 °C for 30 min. The antiradical properties and the reducing power of these samples were assessed using the DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively. This work established a relationship between the antioxidant effects of epigallocatechin gallate and the enzymatic reaction products (epigalocatechin and gallic acid). The enzymatic reaction products showed higher scavenging activity and antioxidant capacity when compared to epigallocatechin gallate.     

利用活性真菌转化简单儿茶素为酯型儿茶素

研究从茶树的鲜叶、茎部和茶树土壤中分离出活性真菌,通过利用天然微生物的转化能力,使简单儿茶素转化为功能性较强的复杂型酯型儿茶素。实验结果表明:筛选出了具有转化能力的活性菌种,能有效地将简单儿茶素转化为酯型儿茶素,而且其转化能力良好。并对此种活性真菌进行形态学和生理生化的初步检测,判断其属于丝状真菌藻状菌纲,毛霉目,内囊霉科,内囊霉属。     

Flavanol Composition and Caffeine Content of Green Leaf as Quality Potential Indicators of Kenyan Black Teas

The flavanol composition and caffeine content of green tea leaf, black tea quality parameters of theaflavins, thearubigins, liquor brightness and total colour varied more among clones than with time of the year. In green leaf, either (-)epicatechin gallate or (-)epigallocatechin gallate was the dominant flavanol present. Regression analysis of tasters' preferences for black teas against green leaf chemical components showed positive and significant correlations for (-)epicatechin gallate (r = 0·498, P ⩽ 0·05 for taster A; r = 0·665, P ⩽ 0·01 for taster B, and r = 0·678, P ⩽ 0·01 for both tasters' overall ranking), (-)epigallocatechin gallate (r = 0·513, P ⩽ 0·05 for taster B; r = 0·532, P ⩽ 0·05 for both tasters' overall ranking and caffeine (r = 0·523, P ⩽ 0·05 for taster A; r = 0·657, P ⩽ 0·01 for taster B; and r = 0·686, P ⩽ 0·01 for both tasters' overall ranking). Similar regressions against black tea theaflavins, thearubigin content, liquor brightness and total colour were not significant. The results suggest that the green leaf chemical components, (-)epicatechin gallate, (-)epigallocatechin gallate and caffeine could be used as quality potential indicators during clonal selection and propagation. © 1997 SCI.     

Taste characterisation of green tea catechins

There has been interest in biological activities of green tea catechins. However, little is known about the taste characteristics of catechins. To assess the taste characteristics of catechins ((?)–epicatechin (EC), (?)–epicatechin gallate (ECg), (?)–epigallocatechin (EGC) and (?)–epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg)), sensory evaluations were performed. The taste intensity increased with increased catechins concentration. Among them, ECg showed the strongest taste. Catechins had tastes that consisted primarily of astringency and bitterness. Therefore, taste palatability decreased with increasing catechin concentrations. In line with taste intensity, taste palatability of ECg was the lowest. Taste sensor analysis and mouse behavioural assays showed same results. EC and ECg were more stable in Ringer’s solution than EGC and EGCg. Furthermore, taste cell responses to ECg that had the strong taste and better stability among catechins used were recorded. Some taste cells responded to ECg. This result suggests that ECg might be recognised by taste cells.     

普洱熟茶不同溶剂萃取层中儿茶素及黄酮醇类化合物差异的研究

目的 探索普洱熟茶在不同溶剂(乙酸乙酯和正丁醇)萃取中儿茶素和黄酮醇类化合物的组成及含量的差异,构建一种有效提取普洱熟茶中儿茶素及黄酮醇类物质的方法.方法 以普洱熟茶(2008年生产)的水提物为研究对象,分别用乙酸乙酯和正丁醇溶剂萃取的萃取层为分析供试样,采用高效液相色谱法(high performance liqui...     

ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF POLYPHENOLS EXTRACTED FROM GREEN AND BLACK TEAS

The catechins, including epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and the theaflavins, including theaflavin (TF), theaflavin monogallate (TF-1), and theaflavin digallate (TF-2), were extracted from green tea and black tea, respectively. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging ability, superoxide-scavenging efficiency, and lipid oxidation-inhibition ability of the pure compounds listed above as well as epicatechin (EC), carnosol, carnosic acid, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were investigated.
The DPPH radical-scavenging ability of the catechins was EGCG > ECG > EGC > EC and of the theaflavins was TF-2 > TF-1 > TF. EGCG, ECG, EGC, TF-2, TF-1, and TF showed higher DPPH radical- and superoxide-scavenging abilities than carnosol, carnosic acid, and BHT. EGCG, ECG, EGC, carnosol, and carnosic acid showed higher lipid oxidation-inhibition activity, as measured by the Rancimat method, than BHT and theaflavins.     

“紫娟”茶中的EGCG3"Me成分研究

"紫娟"是云南大叶群体种中的一种稀有茶树品种,因富含花青素成分其新鲜嫩梢的芽、叶、茎均呈现紫色,从而具有很高的科研价值和经济开发潜力,当今其功能化学成分的研究已成为了茶学研究热点之一。本文采用HPLC以及LC-MS技术首次报道分析了茶树特异品种"紫娟"中的表没食子儿茶素-3-O-(3-O-甲基)没食子酸酯(EGCG3"Me)成分及高EGCG3"Me含量"紫娟"茶的加工工艺。结果表明,茶树特异品种"紫娟"鲜叶中含有EGCG3"Me成分(含量为1.05%);在一芽五叶新梢不同嫩度的鲜叶中,第三叶的EGCG3"Me含量最高(含量为1.24%);采用蒸青绿茶或者晒青绿茶的加工工艺可以使成茶有效保留鲜叶中的EGCG3"Me成分。此外,还分析比较了普通炒青绿茶与"紫娟"绿茶中主要儿茶素成分的含量差异,发现较高的ECG和EC含量而较低的EGCG含量是茶树特异品种"紫娟"绿茶中儿茶素组成的主要特点。