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.     

Comparison of extraction and isolation efficiency of catechins and caffeine from green tea leaves using different solvent systems

Catechins from green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) have received considerable attention due to their beneficial effects on human health, such as antioxidant and anticancer activities. Optimisation of extraction conditions of the catechins from green tea leaves was performed using different solvents (ethanol or distilled water), different extraction methods (ultrasound‐assisted, room temperature or reflux extractions) and various extraction times (0.5–24 h). The optimal extraction conditions were determined using 40% ethanol with ultrasound‐assisted extraction method for 2 h at 40 °C. In addition, two isolation methods for the recovery of catechins from green tea extracts were compared using different solvent combinations (chloroform/ethyl acetate versus ethyl acetate/dichloromethane). The results showed that the ethyl acetate/dichloromethane system could achieve much higher content of catechins than the other isolation approaches, indicating the method that extract catechins first with organic solvent such as ethyl acetate before removing caffeine is much effective than removing caffeine first when organic solvents are used for the recovery of catechins without caffeine from green tea extracts.     

Extraction of active ingredients from green tea (Camellia sinensis): Extraction efficiency of major catechins and caffeine

The effect of different extraction set-ups that influence the extraction efficiency of catechins and caffeine from green tea leaves (variety Fanning Belas, China) were studied using different aqueous and pure solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, water), different temperatures (60, 80, 95 and 100 °C) and times (5–240 min). Raw extracts were analysed for contents of major catechins (EC, EGC, ECG, EGCG), caffeine, proanthocyanidins and flavonols (myricetin, caempherol, quercetin). Starting material was found to contain 191 g major catechins/kg material, 36 g caffeine/kg material and 5.2 g flavonols/kg material on a dry mass basis. The content of major catechins in green tea extracts varied from approximately 280–580 g/kg dry extract, with extraction efficiencies of major catechins varying from 61% to almost 100%. Content of caffeine in extract was in the range of 75 g/kg, where its extraction efficiency varied from 62% to 76%. Average extraction yield was 30% with exceptions when using pure acetone and acetonitrile, where extraction yield was about 3%. Contents of flavonols and proanthocyanidins were in the ranges 6–20 and 12–19 g/kg, respectively. Different extraction procedures with water were also investigated and optimal conditions determined: maximum achieved extraction efficiency of catechins with water was obtained at 80 °C after 20 min (97%) and at 95 °C after 10 min of extraction (90%). Degradation of catechins was observed at higher extraction temperatures and with prolonged extraction times. Using a lower ratio of solvent to material, extraction efficiencies were increased by applying a multi-step extraction procedure. Optimal extraction procedure was then performed using decaffeinated green tea leaves, which were obtained by high-pressure extraction with CO₂, when 98% of caffeine was selectively isolated without significant impact on valuable catechins.     

Characterisation of white tea – Comparison to green and black tea

An overview is given on the manufacture of the different types of tea along with the most important phenolics present in tea and methods of analysis. Compositional data are presented for green, white and black teas. A differentiation of green and black tea by using the ratio between total phenolics and sum of the major catechins seems to be feasible. For white tea there is no general accepted definition. Possible approaches are geographic origin, the botanical variety and the manufacture or the appearance. The differentiation between green and white teas by the ratio mentioned above is not possible. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Temperature and Time of Steeping Affect the Antioxidant Properties of White,Green, and Black Tea Infusions

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is the most highly consumed beverage in the world next to water. The common way of preparation is steeping in hot water which is varying for different type of tea. We investigated the antioxidant properties of 6 type of tea leaves under different time and temperatures of extraction method used. In general, all samples tested in this study demonstrated high levels of antioxidant capacity and antioxidant activity. The results indicate that the antioxidants activity is significantly affected by time and temperature of steeping and the highest was depending on the variety. White state values, green and black teas showed different levels of antioxidants under different extraction conditions. Overall, the highest activity for white tea was in prolonged hot and in some assays prolonged hot and cold extracts, whereas for green tea the highest activity observed in prolonged cold steeping while, for black tea was in short hot water infusion. The results of this study showed the antioxidant capacity of white and green tea was greater than black tea.     

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.     

Characterisation of white tea – Comparison to green and black tea

An overview is given on the manufacture of the different types of tea along with the most important phenolics present in tea and methods of analysis. Compositional data are presented for green, white and black teas. A differentiation of green and black tea by using the ratio between total phenolics and sum of the major catechins seems to be feasible. For white tea there is no general accepted definition. Possible approaches are geographic origin, the botanical variety and the manufacture or the appearance. The differentiation between green and white teas by the ratio mentioned above is not possible.     

几种茶叶生化成分及其抗氧化活性分析

目的:比较白茶与绿茶、红茶生化成分的差异,探讨生化成分与抗氧化活性的关系。方法:以寿眉、安吉白茶及白琳工夫分别为白茶、绿茶、红茶代表,分析茶叶成分,测定茶汤抗氧化活性,并对二者进行相关性分析。结果:总黄酮含量与年份呈正相关关系,而咖啡碱则相对稳定;白茶茶多酚及儿茶素含量均低于绿茶,但其酯型儿茶素所占比重显著高于绿茶,且游离氨基酸、茶氨酸及总黄酮含量也显著高于其他两种茶类;EGC所占比重与酯型儿茶素均与茶汤抗氧化活性有较强的相关性。结论:白茶与其他茶在成分和抗氧化性上均有显著差异;EGCG与抗氧化活性相关性最强。     

Changes in antioxidant phytochemicals and volatile composition of Camellia sinensis by oxidation during tea fermentation

Monomeric flavonoids (flavan 3-ols or tea catechins) present in Camellia sinensis leaf are transformed to polymeric theaflavin and thearubigin by oxidation occurring during tea fermentation. The distinctive colour, decreased bitterness and astringency, and characteristic flavour are derived from the fermentation process giving fermented teas a marked distinction from non-fermented green tea. Even though teas are available in many different fermentation levels from green to black, the difference in phytochemicals and volatile compounds in teas with different degrees of fermentation has not been fully investigated yet within the same tea leaf. The objective of this study was to observe non-volatile phytochemicals including polyphenolic and volatile compounds changes by oxidation under strict processing control and to evaluate the degree of fermentation for the maximum antioxidant capacity with the same tea material. Harvested tea leaf was immediately processed to different degrees of oxidative fermentation (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%). Tea infusions brewed with each processed tea leaf were analysed for polyphenolic profile, total soluble phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and volatile profile using LC–MS, HPLC, Folin–Ciocalteu assay, Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), and GC–MS analyses. The flavonoids in non-fermented green tea were significantly lessened during the oxidative fermentation process and the decreased monomeric flavonoids were transformed to polymeric theaflavin and thearubigin as the leaves were more processed. Total soluble phenolics and antioxidant capacity were significantly higher as tea leaves were less processed with a high correlation with individual polyphenolic changes. Volatile compounds present in tea leaf were analysed by GC–MS to observe changes due to processing and were utilised to create a model to differentiate fermentation based on volatile composition. Twenty-four compounds were used to build an initial model which was optimised to 16 compounds with complete separation of the groups using discriminant function analysis. The data suggested that fermentation diminished antioxidant capacity of tea and could result in lowering potential health benefits from flavonoids. This result should be considered for tea manufacturing and the development of functional foods desiring maximum potential health benefits from antioxidant flavonoids in tea.     

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.     

不同茶类陈年茶的生化成分分析及其抗氧化活性

本文研究了三个不同茶类陈年茶的生化成分及其抗氧化活性。采用比色法测定了这些茶样中水浸出物、茶多酚、总黄酮、可溶性总糖、游离氨基酸、茶黄素、茶红素及茶褐素的含量,同时采用高效液相色谱仪测定了这些陈年茶样中没食子酸、儿茶素单体及咖啡碱含量,采用FRAP法测定了其总抗氧化能力。结果显示不同茶类陈年茶样中主要品质生化成分含量相差较大,同一茶类不同品种或产地的陈年老茶样中主要品质生化成分含量也有差别。三个不同茶类供试茶样中EGC均未检出;陈年红茶样中GC和CG未检出;陈年乌龙茶样中GC和EGCG含量显著高于其他茶叶;陈年黑茶样中GA含量普遍较低,滇药香熟普砖茶中各儿茶素组分均未检出。不同茶类陈年茶样总抗氧化能力相差较大,其中以陈年千家寨生普散茶的抗氧化能力最强,且它的抗氧化活性与其茶多酚和儿茶素总含量呈浓度依赖关系。     

Characterization of the constituents and antioxidative activity of cocoa tea (Camellia ptilophylla)

Three main types of cocoa tea derived from Camellia ptilophylla, white cocoa tea (WCT), green cocoa tea (GCT) and black cocoa tea (BCT) were prepared. A comparison between cocoa tea and commonly consumed tea Biluochun cha (BLC), Longjing cha (Lj), Qimenhong cha (Qmh) and Yinghong 9^# (Yh9) was studied. Levels of catechins and purine alkaloids were determined by HPLC. Total polyphenol contents were determined by ferrous tartrate assay. Antioxidative activity was evaluated using ABTS decolorization assay, DPPH radical assay and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method. The results showed that WCT contained the highest polyphenol content and showed the highest antioxidative activity. The radical scavenging ability of the tea extracts followed this order: WCT > GCT > Blc > Lj > BCT > Yh9 > Qmh. Tea extracts measured by the linoleic acid system also showed the same patterns of activity as the ABTS and DPPH method. A high correlation between polyphenol content and antioxidative activity of tea extracts was observed.     

金花白茶加工过程中主要滋味物质的动态变化

以2017年福建寿眉散茶为原料,按照渥堆、汽蒸、压制定型、发花、干燥等加工工艺制成金花白茶。通过对加工过程中8个有代表性的工艺节点取样检测,以探明金花白茶加工过程中茶多酚、儿茶素、咖啡碱、氨基酸、水浸出物、可溶性糖、黄酮、茶三素等主要滋味物质含量的动态变化,并探究各类滋味物质的动态变化对其滋味品质的影响。结果表明,金花白茶加工过程中,茶多酚、儿茶素、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖、茶黄素及茶红素含量均逐渐降低,金花白茶较原料降幅分别为24.26%、52.89%、27.44%、9.38%、48.83%及30.96%。黄酮总量、没食子酸及茶褐素含量逐渐增加,金花白茶较原料增幅分别为20.46%、10.92%及77.31%。水浸出物、咖啡碱、茶氨酸含量略有增加,增幅为2.89%、7.70%、8.63%。这些变化有利于金花白茶滋味浓醇厚不苦涩,汤色红浓明亮品质的形成。同时结合感官审评发现,茶多酚、茶黄素、咖啡碱、游离氨基酸及茶褐素均与金花白茶滋味品质显著或极显著相关。     

苹果皮复合袋泡茶的研制及其抗氧化特性研究

以苹果皮和安吉白茶为原料,经过筛选配方,研制了具有保健功能的新型复合袋泡茶;并采用化学模拟体系测定了该袋泡茶清除DPPH·和ABTS˙+的能力.采用全血总抗氧化能力(TAC)评价了其生物抗氧化效应.结果表明,苹果皮和安吉白茶在质量比为4:1,每袋规格为3g时,感官评价得分最高.苹果皮复合袋泡茶对自由基的清除能力很强,其...     

Irreversible sediment formation in green tea infusions

The formation of irreversible tea sediment (IRS) and its chemical components in green tea infusions were investigated. The results showed that the amounts of IRS in the green tea infusions from various tea cultivars ranged from 0.10 to 1.47 mg/mL. The amount of IRS was influenced remarkably by the chemical components in the green tea infusion. Principal component analysis and regression analysis indicated that gallated catechins, Mn, Ca, caffeine, Na, and (-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG) were the principal components. IRS (mg/mL) = -4.226 + 0.275 gallated catechins + 79.551 Na + 7.321 Mn + 21.055 Ca + 0.513 caffeine - 0.129 GCG (R2 = 0.697). The contents of the main chemical components in the reversible tea sediment (RTS) and IRS were markedly different, especially the minerals. Large amount of minerals participated in the formation of irreversible green tea sediment. The amount of IRS increased with the extraction temperature.     

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 liquid chromatography, HPLC)对供试茶样中5种主要儿茶素和4种黄酮醇类化合物的含量进行了测定。结果 儿茶素、表儿茶素、表儿茶素没食子酸酯、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯、杨梅素、槲皮素和山奈酚主要富集于乙酸乙酯萃取层中;而芦丁与表没食子儿茶素分别富集于正丁醇层与萃取剩余层。结论 建立了一种简易、有效地分析检测普洱熟茶中儿茶素及黄酮醇类物质的提取方法,为进一步解析普洱熟茶的化学成分提供一定的方法借鉴。     

Column-chromatographic extraction and separation of polyphenols, caffeine and theanine from green tea

A highly efficient column-chromatographic extraction (CCE) followed by sequential adsorption to extract and separate bioactive compounds from green tea was developed. Tea powder was loaded into columns with 4-fold solvents and eluted through a cyclic CCE. High-quality tea extracts with greater than 90% extraction efficiencies of polyphenols, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, caffeine, theanine and polysaccharides were obtained with 4-fold water circulated five times among different columns at 70 °C. Similar results, except for low polysaccharide extraction (35.5%), were obtained with 4-fold 30% ethanol circulated three times at room temperature. The highly concentrated water extraction was directly passed through columns of polyamide, DM130 macroporous and 732 ion exchange resins, resulting in high-purity polyphenols (99%), caffeine (98%) and theanine (98%) after simple purification of the eluates from each column. This method uses simple equipment, minimum solvents and can be used for both quantitative analysis and continuous preparation of high-quality tea extracts and bioactive compounds.     

青毛茶加工工艺对青砖茶品质的影响

目的 研究青毛茶加工工艺对青砖茶品质的影响。方法 以福鼎大白群体种为原料,采用不同揉捻程度和干燥方式加工成青毛茶,按相同渥堆和干燥方式加工成青砖茶散茶。分析青砖茶散茶的感官品质、主要品质成分及挥发性成分变化。结果 随着揉捻程度加重,青砖茶散茶水浸出物含量、多酚和儿茶素保留量、茶红素含量显著增加,酚氨比增加,感官品质显著降低。晒干茶样和烘干茶样陈香纯正、滋味醇和,感官品质优于炒干茶样。炒干茶样水浸出物、多酚、儿茶素总量和可溶性糖含量及酚氨比较高,挥发性成分相对含量和种类(39.51, 49种)低于晒干茶样(59.74, 82种)和烘干茶样(62.01, 71种)。结论 青毛茶揉捻程度和干燥方式对青砖茶品质有显著影响,轻揉或不揉捻有利于青砖茶品质的形成,青毛茶采用烘干或晒干方式制成的青砖茶香味纯正,品质更好。为促进青砖茶安全高效生产及品质稳定,建议生产上采用烘干方式加工青毛茶。     

Effects of Gamma Irradiation on the Biological Activity of Green Tea Byproduct Extracts and a Comparison with Green Tea Leaf Extracts

ABSTRACT:  Green tea byproduct extract powder, a major byproduct of the green tea industry, was prepared and investigated for its biological activities after a gamma-irradiation treatment for the purpose of a brightened color. The color, total phenolic contents, antioxidative activity, tyrosinase inhibition activity, cancer cell proliferation inhibition effect, and antimutagenicity were measured and compared with those of a green tea leaf extract powder. Hunter L* values of the irradiated green leaf and byproduct extracts were increased in a comparison with the nonirradiated extracts. The contents of total phenolic compounds of the green tea leaf and byproduct extracts were 424.2 ± 11.45 and 335.5 ± 18.65 mg/g of sample, respectively. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the 20 ppm green tea leaf and byproduct extracts were 68.2% and 57.6%, respectively. Ferric-reducing ability of the samples showed similar results to the DPPH radical scavenging capacity. The samples showed an inhibition of tyrosinase and also a cancer cell proliferation inhibition effect. Especially, the antimutagenicities of the byproduct extracts showed a strong inhibition effect (96.20% and 57.77%) on 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp) and 2-nitrofluorene (NF), respectively. Results indicated that, although the biological activity of green tea byproduct extracts is less than that of green tea leaf extract, it may be a potential source of a functional ingredient. In addition, irradiation can be applied to improve the color and biological activity of the material.     

Effects of water-soluble natural antioxidants on photosensitized oxidation of conjugated linoleic acid in an oil-in-water emulsion system

ABSTRACT:  The effect of photosensitized oxidation of conjugated linoleic acid in an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion system was studied. Water-soluble natural antioxidants, including apple polyphenols from apple extract, green tea extract, 4-hydroxy-2(or 5)-ethyl-5(or2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone(HEMF), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (HDMF), and ascorbic acid, were tested for antioxidant activity in this system. The green tea extract showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by ascorbic acid. Apple polyphenols did not give significant antioxidant activity. HEMF and HDMF exhibited a prooxidant effect. The antioxidant activity of tea catechins was also investigated. Of them, EGCG and ECG exhibited antioxidant activity at 50 ppm, but the antioxidant activity between them was not significantly different ( P < 0.05). Comparatively, EC, EGC, and GCG showed no significant antioxidative effect at 50 ppm. When the concentration increased to 100 ppm, the antioxidant activity of ECG and EGCG significantly increased compared with that at 50 ppm, and EGCG had higher antioxidant activity than ECG. GCG also showed significant antioxidant activity at 100 ppm. EGCG exhibited the highest antioxidant activity among the tea catechins in the emulsion system at 100 ppm.