Green tea preparation and its influence on the content of bioactive compounds

The effect of different extraction conditions and storage time of prepared infusions on the content of bioactive compounds of green teas and their antioxidant capacity were investigated. The content of total phenols, total flavonoids and total non-flavonoids in green teas was determined spectrophotometrically, while 7 flavan-3-ols, 6 phenolic acids and 3 methylxanthines were identified and quantified by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC–PDA). Among the tested green teas bagged green tea Twinings of London was recognized as the richest source of phenolic compounds (3585 mg/L GAE of total phenols). The most abundant phenolic constituents of green tea were flavan-3-ols, of which EGCG was prevailing in all teas (94.54–357.07 mg/L). The highest content of caffeine, as the most abundant methylxanthine, was determined in powdered green tea. The findings of this investigation suggest that extraction efficiency of studied bioactive compounds from green tea depends on the extraction conditions and that maximum extraction efficiency is achieved during aqueous extraction at 80 °C, for 5′ (powder), 15′ (bagged) and 30′ (loose leaf). In order to determine the antioxidant capacity of teas the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays were applied. Regardless of the extraction conditions all green teas exhibited significant antioxidant capacity in vitro, which was in correlation with their phenolic content, confirming that green tea is one of the best dietary sources of antioxidants.     

Screening of the antioxidant properties and polyphenol composition of aromatised green tea infusions

BACKGROUND: Aromatised green teas are widely sold and popular owing to their fragrance. In this study the antioxidant activity of six commercial green tea infusions was assessed by three complementary assays. RESULTS: In order to evaluate the tea infusions as antioxidant sources, their phenolic content (Folin‐Ciocalteu assay), cupric ion‐reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging ability were determined. Their content of polyphenols was also determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) in negative electrospray ionisation mode. Some teas with citrus aroma, besides having a relatively high content of catechins, also contain other phenolic compounds such as naringin and hesperidin. The three assays used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the tea infusions gave different rank orders. Therefore an antioxidant index was calculated for better correlation of the results, and its highest value was obtained for Clear Green Mint tea infusion. CONCLUSION: The studied teas, besides having a relatively high content of catechins, also contain naringin and hesperidin, which are not present in ‘pure’ green tea. It is important to run multiple assays to get a better estimate of the antioxidant capacity of a given sample. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of the Antioxidant Properties of Commonly Consumed Commercial Teas

The antioxidant properties of various commonly consumed commercial teas were screened and compared to check what the consumers get in commercial tea bags in the range of consume preparation conditions. It includes flavored black teas and green teas, as well as some fruit teas. Electron transfer-based assays, such as phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteu method and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), were applied. Higher antioxidant activity values were obtained for green and black tea infusions in comparison to fruit teas. The correlation between FC total phenolic and CUPRAC assay for all studied teas was significant (R² = 0.871). The antioxidant power of tea infusions were also measured using cyclic voltammetry. The observed anodic waves were broadened in comparison with voltammograms of single flavonoids due to the response of several antioxidants with different oxidation potentials. The values of Trolox equivalents obtained by electrochemical approach were lower than in the CUPRAC assay; however, the increased order of the antioxidant capacity of tea infusions was the same.     

Comparative study of commercially available cocoa products in terms of their bioactive composition

Recent trends in food marketing suggest that cocoa products, besides being favourite sweets among consumers, also present multiple-benefit foodstuffs, which are becoming objects of increased scientific research, mainly because of their interesting phytochemical composition. UV/VIS spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA) methods were applied in order to compare the composition of polyphenols and methylxanthines in commercial cocoa products affected by different extraction solvents. Antioxidant capacity of water and methanol extracts was evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) assays. The obtained results confirmed that the content of polyphenols and methylxanthines, as well as the antioxidant capacity of cocoa products depend on the content of their cocoa solids. Among the tested cocoa products, the highest content of bioactive compounds (polyphenols and methylxanthines) was determined in extracts of cocoa products with the highest content of cocoa solids (cocoa liquor, cocoa powder and dark chocolate with 88% cocoa solids), while the lowest content was determined in milk chocolate and cocoa bar extracts. The most abundant phenolic compound in cocoa extracts was (?)-epicatechin, while the most abundant methylxanthine was theobromine. In comparison with water, 70% methanol demonstrated higher efficiency for the extraction of the studied bioactive compounds from cocoa products.     

White and Green Teas (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis): Variation in Phenolic,Methylxanthine, and Antioxidant Profiles

Abstract: Recent investigations have associated white teas with anti-carcinogenic, immune-boosting, and antioxidative properties that may impact human health in a manner comparable to green teas. An in-depth chemical analysis of white tea types was conducted to quantify polyphenols and antioxidant potential of 8 commercially available white teas, and compare them to green tea. Extraction and HPLC protocols were optimized and validated for the quantification of 9 phenolic and 3 methylxanthine compounds to examine inter- and intra-variation in white and green tea types and subtypes. A sampling strategy was devised to assess various subtypes procured from different commercial sources. Variation in antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) of both tea types was further assessed by the 1-1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin–Ciocalteau (F–C) assays, respectively. Total catechin content (TCC) for white teas ranged widely from 14.40 to 369.60 mg/g of dry plant material for water extracts and 47.16 to 163.94 mg/g for methanol extracts. TCC for green teas also ranged more than 10-fold, from 21.38 to 228.20 mg/g of dry plant material for water extracts and 32.23 to 141.24 mg/g for methanol extracts. These findings indicate that statements suggesting a hierarchical order of catechin content among tea types are inconclusive and should be made with attention to a sampling strategy that specifies the tea subtype and its source. Certain white teas have comparable quantities of total catechins to some green teas, but lesser antioxidant capacity, suggesting that white teas have fewer non-catechin antioxidants present. Practical Application: In this investigation white and green teas were extracted in ways that mimic common tea preparation practices, and their chemical profiles were determined using validated analytical chemistry methods. The results suggest certain green and white tea types have comparable levels of catechins with potential health promoting qualities. Specifically, the polyphenolic content of green teas was found to be similar to certain white tea varieties, which makes the latter tea type a potential substitute for people interested in consuming polyphenols for health reasons. Moreover, this study is among the first to demonstrate the effect subtype sampling, source of procurement, cultivation, and processing practices have on the final white tea product, as such analysis has previously been mostly carried out on green teas.     

Determination of free radicals and flavan-3-ols content in fermented and unfermented teas and properties of their infusions

The objective of this study was to analyse selected brands of fermented (red and black) and unfermented (white and green) teas for free radical content with the use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and for contents of flavan-3-ols by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Analyses were also conducted for the polyphenolic profile of infusions of the analysed teas (with the Folin–Ciocalteu’s method) and their antioxidant activity (in reaction with a DPPH radical) at three brewing times (5, 10 and 15 min). The obtained results showed the possibility of using rapid spectroscopic method EPR to evaluate the oxidative changes in tea leaves caused by enzymatic fermentation. The number of free radicals in teas was negatively correlated with contents of flavan-3-ols, (?)-EGCG in particular. The main signals observed in EPR spectra of teas were attributed to semiquinone radicals; however, also signals attributed to carbohydrate radicals were detected. Regarding unfermented teas, it was ascertained that teas with the highest content of flavan-3-ols, (?)-EGCG in particular, were characterised by the lowest content of semiquinone radicals and a high content of carbohydrate radicals. The group of fermented teas demonstrated to contain mainly semiquinone radicals. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the tea infusions were strongly diversified depending on the kind and brand of tea as well as on the extraction time. The predominating flavan-3-ol in the analysed teas was epigallocatechin gallate (?)-EGCG, the content of which was additionally highly correlated with the antioxidant activity of the tea infusions.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of tea infusions

Tea polyphenols, especially the catechins, are potent antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, with positive effects on human health. White tea is one of the less studied teas but the flavour is more accepted than that of green tea in Europe. The concentrations of various catechins in 13 different kinds of infusion were determined by capillary electrophoresis. The total polyphenol content (Folin–Ciocalteu method), the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC value determined with the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation) and the inhibitory effects of infusions on the growth of some microorganisms were determined. Five different infusions (black, white, green and red teas and rooibos infusion) were added to a model food system, comprising a sunflower oil-in-water emulsion containing 0% or 0.2% bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the oxidative stability was studied during storage at 37 °C. Oxidation of the oil was monitored by determination of the peroxide value.     

On-line high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds in green and black tea

Teas represent a rich source of dietary antioxidants. This paper describes analysis of the antioxidant potential of individual tea phenolics using an on-line high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Tea phenolics from Kenyan green and black teas were identified using liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (LC-MS(n)) in conjunction with the analysis of their 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+) radical scavenging ability. Antioxidant potential of flavan-3-ols, caffeoylquinic acids, flavonols, and theaflavins was assessed in comparison to the synthetic vitamin E analogue Trolox. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate was identified as the most potent antioxidant with a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of 3.0, contributing approximately 30% of the total antioxidant capacity of green tea. Theaflavins retained antioxidant capacity similar to that of (-)-epicatechin monomers whilst conjugated flavonols did not contribute significantly to the antioxidant capacity of either green or black tea. After HPLC analysis of the antioxidant capacity of phenolics in black tea some 80% of antioxidant activity remained unaccounted for indicating the potential importance of thearubigens as antioxidants in black teas.     

LC/MS characterization of phenolic constituents of mate (Ilex paraguariensis,St. Hil.) and its antioxidant activity compared to commonly consumed beverages

Mate is a tea-like beverage widely consumed in South America, prepared from the dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, St Hil. The total polyphenols (PP) and antioxidant activity of mate infusions and acid–methanol/acetone extracts were determined in three commercial brands, and compared to commonly consumed beverages like green and black teas, red, rosé and white wines, and orange juice. Mate had a PP content comparable to tea and orange juice, and, when normalized for the PP content of beverages, mate had an antioxidant activity slightly higher than wines, orange juice and black tea, but lower than green tea. LC/MS analysis of mate extracts showed that caffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers were the major components of the phenolic fraction of mate. Mixed mono-, di- and tri-esters of quinic acid and other hydroxycinnamates were also detected. Several quercetin and kaempferol glycosides were identified. Consumption of mate infusions would significantly contribute to the overall antioxidant intake, providing high amounts of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, with biological effects potentially beneficial for human health.     

红茶、绿茶、乌龙茶活性成分抗氧化性研究

目的与方法：通过醇提得到各种茶多酚提取液,酒石酸亚铁法测定了多酚的含量;水提得到各种茶多糖提取液,用硫酸- 苯酚法测定其中多糖的含量。通过DPPH·法、水杨酸法及邻苯三酚法测定不同茶叶中多酚、多糖含量对自由基的清除作用的影响,对比研究八种茶叶的抗氧化能力。结果：不同茶叶中多糖的含量从2.19%增大到2.89% (半发酵乌龙茶＞红茶＞绿茶),抗氧化能力：红茶＞绿茶＞乌龙茶(DPPH·法);红茶＞绿茶＞乌龙茶(水杨酸法);红茶＞乌龙茶＞绿茶(邻苯三酚法);不同茶叶中多酚的含量从1.71% 增大到9.75% (绿茶＞半发酵乌龙茶＞红茶);结论：茶多糖和多酚是茶叶的主要抗氧化成分。绿茶的抗氧化作用主要来自茶多酚,红茶的抗氧化作用主要来自茶多糖。除乌龙茶多糖提取液外,两种抗氧化成分的抗氧化能力与其含量成量效关系。     

Chemical evaluation, antioxidant capacity, and consumer acceptance of several oak infusions

As part of an ongoing screening on natural products, 4 oak leaves were analyzed as potential nutraceutical beverages. The phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, and sensory preferences of leaves infusions from Quercus resinosa, Q. sideroxyla, Q. eduadii, and Q. durifolia in comparison with 2 commercial green teas were investigated. Herbal infusions from oak leaves and Green teas (1%, 80 °C, 10 min) were evaluated for total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), HPLC analysis, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), soluble solids, pH, color, and consumer preference analysis. Q. resinosa leaves infusions have shown the highest TPC, TEAC, and ORAC values but they have attained the lowest preference score. Quercus leaves infusions with higher content of gallic acid and catechins showed best antioxidant capacity but lower consumer preference.     

信阳产地不同茶类抗氧化活性的研究

目的 探讨信阳产地传统茶(信阳毛尖1、2和信阳红1、2)与新试制茶(奇岩、奇白和奇红)的抗氧化活性.方法 通过高效液相色谱仪和紫外分光光度计检测7种茶中6种儿茶素单体、茶多酚等13个指标;然后利用1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH)法和糖尿病小鼠模型检测...     

Determination of catechins and flavonol glycosides in Chinese tea varieties

A standardised profiling method based on high performance liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet (UV) and mass spectrometric detection (MS) was established to analyse the phenolic compounds of selected tea varieties used for manufacturing of green, black and oolong teas. The composition and content of 24 tea constituents were analysed, including catechins, flavonol and flavones glycosides, phenolic acids and purine alkaloids. Each tea variety had a unique chemical profile. The compositions of catechins were lower in the tea varieties for green tea manufacturing, while the content of myricetin glycosides was the lowest in the tea variety for oolong tea manufacturing. The content of individual phenolic compounds in the selected tea varieties is highly variable. However, the content of total catechins is proposed to be helpful to classify tea according to the future application as non fermented green and fermented oolong or black tea.     

Effect of consecutive steeping on antioxidant potential of green,oolong and black tea

After water, tea is considered to be one of the most consumed drinks worldwide. To get the maximum benefit from the whole‐leaf teas, the manufacturers provide instruction that these teas can be steeped 2–3 times over 6–8 h. In this study, the effect of consecutive steeping on radical‐scavenging ability of whole leaf green tea (unfermented), oolong tea (partially fermented) and black tea (fully fermented) was determined. Green tea showed the highest level of antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content followed by oolong tea and black tea irrespective of the number of steeping done. The result also demonstrated that re‐steeping reduced the antioxidant potential of teas. Moreover, it was revealed that green tea is the best candidate for re‐steeping followed by oolong and then black tea.     

牛奶对茶汤纳米聚集体茶多酚分布特性的影响

茶汤纳米聚集体是茶多酚和蛋白质等自组装而成的纳米胶粒,是各组分介于游离分子与沉淀颗粒的中间状态。为探究牛奶对茶汤茶多酚分布特性的影响,本研究以云南大叶种蒸青绿茶、红茶为原料,以1:50茶水比浸提茶汤,按不同比例添加全脂、半脱脂和脱脂牛奶,利用超滤离心技术分离茶汤纳米聚集体,采用动态光散射技术分析各组茶汤纳米聚集体的总光强和平均直径,采用福林酚法分析其茶多酚浓度和分布率,比较研究牛奶添加比例、脂肪含量和茶类等因素对纳米聚集体物理化学特性和茶多酚分布特性的影响。结果表明:添加不同脂肪含量的牛奶均会促使部分牛奶纳米胶粒与茶汤纳米聚集体结合,导致茶汤超过90%的茶多酚富集于纳米聚集体,使绿茶和红茶的游离茶多酚比例分别降低78%和67%。初步证实:添加牛奶会促进绿茶、红茶的茶多酚参与分子聚集,使游离茶多酚比例大幅降低。     

Phenolic compounds in tea from Australian supermarkets

Phenolic compounds constitute 50–70% of tea water extract and are the main quality parameters for teas. Theaflavins (TF), thearubigins (TR) and theabrownins (TB) are the major polyphenols that determine the quality of black tea. These compounds were measured in 56 leaf teas and teabags sampled from Australian supermarkets in Queensland. The various quantities of TF, ranging from 0.29% to 1.25%, indicate a quality difference that exists among the teas studied. Low TF content in black tea may be due to over-fermenting and/or long periods of storage. The solubility of TR and TB from teabags ranged from 82% to 92%, indicating that the permeability of teabags was variable. Variable quantities of TF in Australian teas show instability and a tendency of TF to oxidize during storage. Total polyphenols in green teas ranged from 14% to 34%, indicating a large variation, which was not reflected in price. The solubility of total polyphenols from teabags has been proposed as a useful quality index of the filtering paper used for the teabags. This chemical analysis of phenolic compounds in commercial teas may be a potential tool for the quality control of Australian manufactured and imported teas in Australian markets.     

Trace metals and flavonoids in different types of tea

The mineral and flavonoid contents of commercially available different types of teas (premium black, flavored black, green, and fruit tea) and the infusions produced from them were determined. Studied teas differed in the contents of elements between their raw materials and infusions. Iron and copper exhibited the lowest efficiency of extraction by hot water. For the most popular black tea brand (Lipton® Yellow label) the efficiency of metal extraction decreased in the order: Co>Mn>Ni>Zn>Cu>Fe. Flavored black Citrus tea infusion had the highest content of Co and Ni, while Yellow label and Green Indonesia are a good source of Fe, Mn, and Zn. Flavonoids were predominantly present as glycosides. Rutin was present at much higher levels in black and green teas. Significant amounts of naringin and hesperidin were determined in tea infusions with citrus aromas or fruits.     

Analysis of Antioxidant Activity,Chlorogenic Acid,and Rutin Content of Camellia sinensis Infusions Using Response Surface Methodology Optimization

Optimization of the extraction process of green tea using response surface methodology (RSM) was performed. The optimized conditions were 14.91 min and 94.15 °C (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay). The experimental values were close with the predicted values. The procedure was used to measure antioxidant activity using DPPH free radical and phenolic compounds of all types of Camellia sinensis and Tabebuia impetiginosa infusions. The antioxidant activity of infusions was in the order (mean for analyzed types) of pure green tea > white tea > green tea with additives > black tea = Pu-erh tea > semifermented tea > Red Lapacho. After the fermentation process, the content of rutin is lowered and the amount of gallic acid in infusions is increased. A negative correlation between total phenolic acids and organic acids was also observed (R ²?=?0.6437). Red Lapacho infusion contains phenolic acids such as caffeic, protocatechuic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and syringic. No rutin and quercetin were found in this beverage.     

Antimicrobial activities of tea catechins and theaflavins and tea extracts against Bacillus cereus

We evaluated the antimicrobial activities of seven green tea catechins and four black tea theaflavins, generally referred to as flavonoids, as well as the aqueous extracts (infusions) of 36 commercial black, green, oolong, white, and herbal teas against Bacillus cereus (strain RM3190) incubated at 21 degrees C for 3, 15, 30, and 60 min. The results obtained demonstrate that (i) (-)-gallocatechin-3-gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, (-)-catechin-3-gallate, (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate, theaflavin-3, 3'-digallate, theaflavin-3'-gallate, and theaflavin-3-gallate showed antimicrobial activities at nanomolar levels; (ii) most compounds were more active than were medicinal antibiotics, such as tetracycline or vancomycin, at comparable concentrations; (iii) the bactericidal activities of the teas could be accounted for by the levels of catechins and theaflavins as determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography; (iv) freshly prepared tea infusions were more active than day-old teas; and (v) tea catechins without gallate side chains, gallic acid and the alkaloids caffeine and theobromine also present in teas, and herbal (chamomile and peppermint) teas that contain no flavonoids are all inactive. These studies extend our knowledge about the antimicrobial effects of food ingredients.     

不同规格CTC红碎茶理化与香气成分比较

从感官审评、理化成分、香气成分等方面对4个规格的CTC红碎茶进行分析。结果表明,所有红碎茶干茶色泽以棕褐、茶汤以红亮为主,滋味以浓、强、鲜为突出特点,香气类型为甜香,碎茶3号感官品质评分最高。各类理化成分含量在不同规格红碎茶中有显著差异,水浸出物、茶碱和儿茶素总量随颗粒减小而降低;碎茶3号茶多酚（25.68 mg/g）、咖啡碱（43.67 mg/g）和儿茶素总量（96.93 mg/g）含量最高,碎茶5号黄酮总量（20.30 mg/g）最高。GC-MS从4个规格红碎茶中检测到醇类（44.11%~51.84%）、酯类（15.31%~18.96%）、醛类（5.99%~11.56%）等9类共100种香气物质,共有香气成分21种;碎茶3号香气成分与其他规格差异最大,香气物质种类最为丰富;碎茶2号和末茶香气成分最接近,碎茶5号香气物质种类最少。通过分析,不同规格CTC红碎茶在感官审评、化学成分和香气成分方面各有差别,初步探明不同规格CTC红碎茶的品质差异。