Diversity among various forms of catechins and its synthesizing enzyme (phenylalanine ammonia lyase) in relation to quality of black tea (Camellia spp.)

BACKGROUND: Quality of tea depends on the cultivar and climatic conditions. Biochemical pathways within the plant and climatic factors can result in noticeable changes in chemical composition, which determine the quality of tea. Black tea quality attributes are influenced by various forms of catechins, namely gallated, non‐gallated, dihydroxylated and trihydroxylated catechins and their ratios. Hence the variations in grouped catechins and their synthesizing enzyme in relation to quality of south Indian black tea grown in different seasons and different cultivars were studied. RESULTS: Gallated, non‐gallated, dihydroxylated, trihydroxylated catechins and catechin index were significantly higher in crop shoots harvested during summer. A significant and wide diversity in various forms of catechins was noticed among the cultivars tested. Among the cultivars, UPASI‐3 registered the higher amount of various forms of catechins and activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), followed by UPASI‐9 and UPASI‐17 respectively, while the lowest amount was exhibited by ‘Assam’ seedlings and TRI‐2043. CONCLUSION: Overall quality as evaluated by tea tasters was positively correlated to the cultivars and seasons tested. This positive correlation can be attributed to higher levels of grouped catechins and PAL activity. Thus the contents of various forms of catechins could be the most important quality parameter of the south Indian black teas. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Soil moisture stress‐induced alterations in bioconstituents determining tea quality

The impact of water stress on the biochemical constituents that determine black tea quality was investigated. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity was highest in the drought tolerant ‘Assam’ cultivar UPASI‐2, followed by UPASI‐8 and UPASI‐9, under non‐stress conditions. Under soil moisture stress a reduction in PAL activity was found in all three clones investigated. A strong positive correlation was observed between an increase in soil moisture deficit and a decrease in PAL activity. Lower PAL activity correlated well with lower synthesis of flavanols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG), which are important precursors of theaflavin‐3,3′‐digallate that determines final tea quality. Altered synthesis of EGCG and ECG could be due to their molecular rearrangement at elevated leaf temperature during drought. Synthesis of quality constituents such as gallic acid and caffeine declined significantly owing to both drought and waterlogging stress. The reduction in gallic acid due to water stress could lead to lower synthesis of theaflavin fractions such as epitheaflavic acid, epitheaflavic acid‐3′‐gallate and theaflavic acid and, thereby, quality deterioration. Similarly to drought, flooding stress was also found to alter the biochemical constituents necessary for tea quality. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

The development of a suitable manufacturing process for ‘Benifuuki’ green tea beverage with anti‐allergic effects

Epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐(3‐O‐methyl) gallate (EGCG3″Me) has been reported to inhibit type I allergy better than epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major catechin in tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L). We examined the effects of extraction and sterilization on the catechin content and histamine release from mast cells, as a representative reaction of early phase allergy, in the manufacture of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea beverage. Among various varieties of tea, the cultivar ‘Benifuuki’ contains approximately 2% of EGCG3″Me. Ester‐type catechins and their epimers increased with the increased extraction temperature of the tea. A tea infusion, extracted at 90 °C, strongly inhibited histamine release from mast cells. Furthermore, sterilization affected the catechin content in the manufactured green tea beverage. Sterilization at high temperature promoted the isomerization of catechins and the sterilized green tea beverage had a strong inhibitory effect. When EGCG3″Me, EGCG, epicatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (ECG) and their epimers, GCG3″Me (gallocatechin‐3‐O‐(3‐O‐methyl) gallate), GCG (gallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate) and CG (catechin‐3‐O‐gallate) were compared, the anti‐allergic effect of GCG3″Me was strongest, and the order of activity was GCG3″Me > EGCG3″Me > GCG > EGCG. We consequently suggest that it was necessary to extract components from tea at the highest temperature possible, and to pasteurize under retort conditions (118.1 °C, 20 min), to manufacture functional green tea beverage with an anti‐allergic action. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

4种乌龙茶树鲜叶适制绿茶、黄茶、白茶、红茶可行性研究

选用‘毛蟹’、‘丹桂’、‘九龙袍’、‘矮脚乌龙’4个乌龙茶树品种新梢为原料,分别蒸青固样并加工成绿茶、黄茶、白茶、红茶。所制茶样通过感官审评和生化成分分析,分析其茶类适制性。结果表明:用‘毛蟹’试制的绿茶,其氨基酸含量在4个品种中最高,为2.02%,酯型儿茶素含量为10.27%,仅低于九龙袍;用‘毛蟹’试制的黄茶,其水浸出物含量、氨基酸含量和咖啡碱含量分别为40.91%、2.13%、3.96%,均高于其它3个品种;用‘毛蟹’试制的白茶,其水浸出物含量在4个品种中最高,为44.32%,茶多酚含量为24.28%,仅低于矮脚乌龙;用‘矮脚乌龙’试制的红茶,其水浸出物含量、茶多酚含量、儿茶素总量和茶黄素含量均为4个品种中最高,分别为40.17%、23.34%、3.18%、0.42%。感官审评结果表明,‘毛蟹’制绿茶、黄茶和白茶品质均优,‘矮脚乌龙’制红茶品质优,‘丹桂’制白茶品质较优。综上,‘毛蟹’品种茶类适制性强,适制绿茶、黄茶和白茶,‘矮脚乌龙’适制红茶,‘丹桂’适制白茶。     

Comparison of catechins and purine alkaloids in albino and normal green tea cultivars (Camellia sinensis L.) by HPLC

The variations in the contents of catechins and purine alkaloids in relation to the chlorophyll contents in albino tea cultivar ‘Anji baicha’ and normal cultivar ‘Longjing 43’, grown in Anji and Guilin, were determined. The results showed that, compared to ‘Anji baicha’, ‘Longjing 43’ had significantly higher (?)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (?)-epicatechin (EC), (?)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), theobromine and caffeine contents in Anji, and significantly higher (+)-catechin (C), ECG and caffeine contents in Guilin. ‘Anji baicha’ only had C content significantly higher than ‘Longjing 43’ in Anji. Correlation analysis indicated that C, EGC and (?)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were significantly and negatively correlated with chlorophyll contents, suggesting that chlorophylls might play vital roles in the regulation of catechin biosynthesis. Moreover, no significant correlation was observed between purine alkaloids and chlorophylls, indicating that the biosynthesis of purine alkaloids might be affected by genotypic factors other than chlorophyll biosynthesis.     

不同晒青和摇青程度对茶树新品系玉琼茶(606)制茶品质的影响

新品系‘606’是由黄旦自然杂交后代单株选育而成的茶树新品种,加工乌龙茶香气持久,品种风格独特,制优率高。为了解新品系‘606’乌龙茶在加工过程中呈味物质的变化和滋味品质特征,本实验以茶树新品系‘606’为研究对象,采用超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱等方法,对其加工过程中的氨基酸和儿茶素含量进行测定与分析,并与黄旦毛茶的含量和感官品质进行比较。结果表明：新品系‘606’乌龙茶氨基酸含量总体先增后降,茶氨酸、天冬氨酸、谷氨酰胺、谷氨酸、γ-氨基丁酸、丝氨酸、天冬酰胺是不同加工过程中的差异氨基酸;儿茶素含量持续下降,做青和揉捻是主要的影响工序。甜味类、苦味类、酸味类和芳香类氨基酸含量均极显著高于黄旦（P<0.01）;鲜叶和毛茶中表没食子儿茶素-3-O-(3-O-甲基)没食子酸酯（epigallocatechin-3-o-(3-o-methyl)-gallate,EGCG3\     

云南“紫娟”晒青绿茶和大叶晒青绿茶的化学成分比较研究

目的:比较云南特种"紫娟"晒青绿茶和常规大叶晒青绿茶的化学成分。方法:测定云南特种"紫娟"晒青绿茶和常规大叶晒青绿茶的常规成分、酚类物质及香气成分。结果:两种茶样水浸出物、总灰分、水溶性总糖、多糖、蛋白质及游离氨基酸总量差异较小,"紫娟"晒青绿茶的矿物质元素铁、锰分别是大叶晒青绿茶的1.25倍和1.15倍,大叶晒青绿茶的硫含量是"紫娟"晒青绿茶的2.83倍;"紫娟"晒青绿茶中的亮氨酸、酪氨酸和精氨酸含量高于大叶晒青绿茶;两种茶样的酚类物质差异较大。"紫娟"晒青绿茶的茶多酚、原花青素、花青素、茶褐素、总儿茶素含量分别为21.83%、20.23%、1.16%、2.38%、7.25%,较大叶晒青绿茶分别高5.03%、2.47%、1.16%、0.85%、0.88%,两者的儿茶素单体组成也有较大差异;"紫娟"晒青绿茶的挥发性物质中醇类、醛类分别比大叶晒青绿茶高5.18%和4.15%,酯类、羧酸类化合物分别比大叶晒青绿茶低3.00%和3.29%。结论:云南特种"紫娟"晒青绿茶和常规大叶晒青绿茶的化学成分差异较大。     

不同光照对荞麦芽黄酮类化合物及相关代谢酶基因表达的影响

通过分析不同品种荞麦的发芽形态及发芽后总酚、总黄酮的含量,从10 个荞麦品种（7 个苦荞和3 个甜荞）中筛选出2 个最适合生产荞麦芽的品种：‘蒙古2号’苦荞和‘西农9976’甜荞。将筛选出的品种进行不同发光二极管（light-emitting diode,LED）光照发芽处理,比较荞麦芽中总酚及黄酮的含量,同时分析不同光照下苦荞芽中苯丙氨酸解氨酶、黄酮醇合酶、查耳酮合酶及查耳酮异构酶的基因表达,探讨其作用机理。结果表明,‘蒙古2号’提高黄酮类化合物含量的最佳处理方式是白光光照,其中荭草苷、异荭草苷含量分别提高了63%、69%（发芽6 d）,总黄酮含量提高了40%～53%（发芽2～6 d）;‘西农9976’提高黄酮类化合物含量的最佳处理方式是红光光照,其中芦丁含量提升70%（发芽6 d）,总黄酮含量最多提高111%（发芽2～6 d）。荞麦芽中总酚含量均是在红光作用下提高最多,其中‘西农9976’总酚含量最多提高83%（发芽2～6 d）,且光照处理可明显上调4 种代谢酶基因的表达水平。     

Long‐term impact of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on yield,soil nutrients and biochemical parameters of tea

A field experiment was conducted with tea cultivar UPASI‐9 over a period of 9 years to evaluate the long‐term effects of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers on yield, biochemical parameters, soil and leaf nutrient status. The yield increase was as high as 66% over the control for N application of 450 kg ha^?1 year^?1. Polyphenol and amino acid contents increased with increase in K application rate. Positive and significant correlation was found between nitrate reductase activity and the amino acid content of the tea shoots. While ammoniacal nitrogen in the soil was not affected by the application of fertilizer, ammonium acetate extractable K increased. The failure to apply fertilizer resulted in depletion of the organic matter status of the soil. Although increased rate of nitrogen application increased the overall yield of made tea (kg ha^?1 year^?1), the specific yield (kg kg^?1 N) declined. The soil tended to become acidic from frequent application of high doses of nitrogenous fertilizer. The leaf NK status was significantly influenced by the various treatments. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Proximate Composition of Sweet Potato Greens in Relation to Cultivar, Harvest Date, Crop Year and Processing

Two sweet potato green cultivars, ‘Jewel’ and ‘Carver’, were produced during two crop years (1981 and 1982). The influence of cultivar, harvest date, crop year and processing on the proximate nutrient content of both varieties was determined. Results showed that overall nutrient content for both varieties were similar except for fat and ash content. Protein content in blanched and canned greens showed a decrease during the second and third collection periods, and the nutrient content from year to year remained constant. These data suggest that like other traditional vegetables, sweet potato greens can be preserved by traditional methods.     

Phenolic compounds and fatty acid composition of organic and conventional grown pecan kernels

BACKGROUND: In this study, differences in contents of phenolic compounds and fatty acids in pecan kernels of organically versus conventionally grown pecan cultivars (Cheyenne, Desirable, and Wichita) were evaluated. RESULTS: Although nine phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechol, catechin, epicatechin, m‐coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, caffeic acid and an ellagic acid derivative) were identified in the methanol extract (80% methanol) of defatted kernels, only three compounds (gallic acid, catechin and ellagic acid) existed in sufficient amounts to accurately quantify levels in different cultivars and to study differences in organic versus conventional cultivation. Levels of ellagic acid and catechin found in organically grown ‘Desirable’ were fourfold and twofold higher than in conventional samples, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences in these two compounds were also observed when comparing values between cultivars. Oil content was also significantly greater only in organically grown ‘Desirable’. Oleic acid was the major fatty acid present and its content was significantly higher in organically versus conventionally grown ‘Desirable’ pecans, while there was no difference in levels of oleic acid in ‘Wichita’ and ‘Cheyenne’. On the other hand, linoleic acid content was significantly less in organically versus conventionally grown ‘Desirable’ pecans. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results showed that the effects of cultural differences (i.e. organic versus conventional cultivation) on kernel composition largely depend on the type of pecan cultivar. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

基于HS-SPME-GC-MS和OAV分析黄山地区不同茶树品种红茶香气的差异

为探究黄山地区不同茶树品种红茶的香气差异,选取在黄山地区广泛种植的9 个茶树品种鲜叶,以祁门红茶的加工工艺制成红茶,其中有性系茶树品种‘祁门槠叶种’为加工祁门红茶的当家品种,其余8 个均为无性系良种,分别是‘翠绿1号’、‘凫早2号’、‘皖茶4号’、‘舒茶早’、‘皖茶91’、‘中茶108’、‘浙农117’和‘浙农139’。感官审评结果显示,9 个品种红茶香气类型均为甜香型,其中‘祁门槠叶种’红茶具有典型的“祁门香”,花香明显;‘皖茶4号’红茶香气甜香为主,稍带花香,其余品种红茶甜香明显,而花香显著低于‘祁门槠叶种’和‘皖茶4号’红茶。气顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱-质谱分析结果显示,共有46 个高峰度化合物被鉴定,利用阈值共计算出21 个气味活度值大于1的挥发性成分;主成分分析表明‘祁门槠叶种’红茶、‘皖茶4号’红茶香气显著有别于其他品种红茶;正交偏最小二乘判别分析表明(E)-β-紫罗酮、芳樟醇、β-月桂烯、香叶醇、己醛、壬醛和庚醛7 个化合物在组间的变量投影重要性值大于1,可能是影响‘祁门槠叶种’红茶香气显著有别于其他品种红茶的主要因素。本研究结果对了解不同品种红茶香气差异化合物及“祁门香”具有重要指导意义。     

贵州珠形绿茶‘金牡丹’和‘铁观音’品质研究

为了解乌龙茶品种的贵州珠形绿茶适制性,以贵州主栽品种福鼎大白茶为对照,对国家级茶树良种‘金牡丹’和‘铁观音’春、夏梢所制珠形绿茶进行主要生化成分测定及感官审评。结果表明:‘金牡丹’和‘铁观音’的春、夏茶（珠形绿茶）的水浸出物、茶多酚、氨基酸和咖啡碱含量为43.54%±0.78%～46.14%±0.42%、21.27%±0.60%～27.65%±0.11%、3.37%±0.18%～4.83%±0.09%和3.11%±0.07%～4.35%±0.06%,其中春茶的水浸出物、咖啡碱、茶多酚均显著高于对照,而氨基酸总量均显著低于对照（P<0.05）。其夏茶除茶多酚显著高于对照外,均与对照无显著差异（P>0.05）。感官审评发现,‘金牡丹’春茶品质优于对照,‘铁观音’低于对照。‘金牡丹’和‘铁观音’夏茶品质得分与对照相当。‘金牡丹’和‘铁观音’均为清香带花香,滋味则更浓醇。综合主要生化成分及感官审评,珠形绿茶‘金牡丹’和‘铁观音’香高馥郁带花果香,滋味浓醇。其鲜爽味物质不及‘福鼎大白茶’,但浓厚（强）度的物质含量高于对照。     

Impact of genotype and micronutrient applications on nitrate reductase activity of tea leaves

Tea flush shoots comprising three leaves and a bud were collected from various clones (cultivars) from different experimental fields and analysed for nitrate reductase (NR) activity. Most of the cultivars of Assam type had higher NR activity, followed by Cambod and China types. NR activity was maximum in the clone UPASI‐9. It was found that NR activity could be used as a biochemical tool to predict the yield potential of cultivars at the initial stage of selection for a breeding programme. The activity was higher in the youngest part of the tea plant. With the existing methodology it was not possible to measure the NR activity in stem portions of the tea plant. There was a strong positive correlation between NR activity and amino acid contents of tea shoots. Inclusion of molybdenum in the foliar applied micronutrient mixture was found helpful in triggering the NR activity in a few clones and seedlings. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Developmental Changes in Enzymes of Flavonoid Biosynthesis in the Skins of Red and Green Apple Cultivars

Three enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone isomerase (CHI) and glycosyltransferase (UFGT)) were assayed during the development of apple (Malus pumila Mill) fruit. Total flavonoid and anthocyanin concentrations were measured (by HPLC) during the same period. The same patterns of change in activity were observed with all three enzymes in both a red (‘Splendour’) and a green-skinned cultivar (‘Granny Smith’). Enzyme activities were high in the immature fruit, decreased during the middle of the season and rose on ripening, activity in ripe fruit was generally not as high as in immature fruit. Total flavonoid concentration correlated with the activity of CHI and UFGT throughout development. In ‘Granny Smith’ there was correlation between flavonoid concentration and PAL but not in ‘Splendour’ except during ripening, when the fruit reddened. In ‘Splendour’ the activity of all three flavonoid enzymes correlated with anthocyanin levels during reddening. At all stages enzyme activity in ‘Splendour’ was several-fold higher than ‘Granny Smith’; daily rates of synthesis of the flavonoids were also much higher.     

Chemical analysis and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect of anthocyanin-rich red leaf tea (cv. Sunrouge)

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of leaf order or crop season on anthocyanins and other chemicals in the anthocyanin‐rich tea cultivar ‘Sunrouge’ (Camellia sinensis x C. taliensis) by using high‐performance liquid chromatography, and to study the effect of ‘Sunrouge’ extract on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells. RESULTS: The total anthocyanin content was higher in the third (3.09 mg g^?1) than in the second (2.24 mg g^?1) or first crop season (1.79 mg g^?1). The amount of anthocyanins contained in the stem was high (1.61 mg g^?1). In the third crop season, the concentrations of delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐(6‐(E)‐p‐coumaroyl)galactopyranoside (DCGa), cyanidin‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐(6‐(E)‐p‐coumaroyl)galactopyranoside, delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside, delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐(6‐O‐(Z)‐p‐coumaroyl)galactopyranoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐galactoside, and delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucoside were 1.57 mg g^?1, 0.52 mg g^?1, 0.40 mg g^?1, 0.22 mg g^?1, 0.14 mg g^?1, and 0.11 mg g^?1, respectively. DCGa accounted for about 50% of the anthocyanins present. The suppressive effect of ‘Sunrouge’ water extract on AChE activity in human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells was the strongest among the three tea cultivars (‘Sunrouge’, ‘Yabukita’ and ‘Benifuuki’). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that ‘Sunrouge’ might protect humans from humans from AChE‐related diseases by suppressing AChE activity. To obtain sufficient amounts of anthocyanins, catechins and/or caffeine for a functional food material, ‘Sunrouge’ from the third crop season should be used. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

春夏季茶树儿茶素生物合成基因表达差异

以福鼎大白茶、白毫早、碧香早、槠叶齐一芽二叶为材料,采用GB/T 8313—2018《茶叶中茶多酚和儿茶素类含量的检测方法》测定茶多酚含量,高效液相色谱测定儿茶素组分含量,采用实时聚合酶链式反应测定儿茶素生物合成基因相对表达量。结果表明：不同茶树品种表没食子儿茶素、表儿茶素没食子酸酯、表儿茶素的含量及茶多酚总量夏季均极显著高于春季（P＜0.01）。黄烷酮3-羟化酶基因、二氢黄酮醇4-还原酶基因的表达量有春季高于夏季的趋势;春季采摘的白毫早样品花青素合成酶基因、肉桂酸羟化酶基因、查耳酮合成酶基因、UDP-糖基转移酶基因、类黄酮3’,5’-羟化酶（flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase,F3’5’H）基因相对表达量与其他样品均存在差异（|log2差异倍数|≥1）,由此可知基因的表达量不仅受季节调控,还受到品种的影响。F3’5’H基因相对表达量与表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（epigallocatechin gallate,EGCG）含量存在正相关,EGCG是黄烷酮B环3’,4’,5’位置羟基化物质,催化其羟基化的酶为类黄酮3’-羟化酶和F3’5’H,因此F3’5’H可能是EGCG合成的关键酶。     

3 种梨果实发育过程中酚类物质及其抗氧化能力分析

为进一步了解新疆主要栽培品种梨生长发育期果实酚类物质和抗氧化能力的变化规律,选取‘库尔勒香梨’‘早酥梨’及其杂交后代‘新梨7号’果实为试材,对其总酚、总黄酮、酚类物质含量以及1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基清除能力和2,2’-联氮-双-3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸（2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid),ABTS）阳离子自由基清除能力进行分析。结果表明：3 种梨果实总酚含量、总黄酮含量、DPPH自由基清除能力在整个生长发育过程中总体呈逐渐降低的变化趋势,ABTS阳离子自由基清除能力呈先降低后升高再降低的变化趋势,花后50 d‘早酥梨’果实中总酚和总黄酮含量、DPPH自由基清除能力最高,分别达23.10、32.25 mg/g和29.12 μmol/g;花后80 d,‘早酥梨’果实ABTS阳离子自由基清除能力最高,达80.74 μmol/g。不同生长发育期同品种梨果实的酚类物质含量均存在明显差异,果实中的熊果苷、儿茶素、绿原酸、表儿茶素、槲皮葡萄糖苷、山柰酚-3-O-葡萄糖苷含量总体逐渐降低,其中熊果苷含量最高,平均值为5 797.82 μg/g,其次是绿原酸含量,平均值为1 781.02 μg/g。梨果实中总黄酮、总酚、熊果苷、儿茶素、绿原酸、表儿茶素含量与DPPH自由基清除能力呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）。3 种梨幼果期（花后50 d）酚类物质及抗氧化能力较高,‘早酥梨’总酚含量、总黄酮含量、DPPH自由基清除能力和ABTS阳离子自由基清除能力均比‘库尔勒香梨’和‘新梨7号’高。     

Binding affinity of tea catechins for HSA: Characterization by high‐performance affinity chromatography with immobilized albumin column

Catechins are the major polyphenols in green tea leaves. Recent studies have suggested that the catechins form complexes with HSA for transport in human blood, and their binding affinity for albumin is believed to modulate their bioavailability. In this study, the binding affinities of catechins and their analogs were evaluated and the relationship between the chemical structure of each catechin and its binding property were investigated. Comparing these catechins by HPLC analysis with the HSA column, we showed that galloylated catechins have higher binding affinities with HSA than non‐galloylated catechins. In addition, pyrogallol‐type catechins have a high affinity compared to catechol‐type catechins. Furthermore, the binding affinity of the catechin with 2,3‐trans structure was higher than those of the catechin with 2,3‐cis structure. The importance of the hydroxyl group on the galloyl group and B‐ring was confirmed using methylated catechins. These results indicate that the most important structural element contributing to HSA binding of tea catechins is the galloyl group, followed by the number of hydroxyl groups on the B‐ring and the galloyl group or the configuration at C‐2. Our findings provide fundamental information on the relationship between the chemical structure of tea catechins and its biological activity.