Cream formation and main chemical components of green tea infusions processed from different parts of new shoots

The formation of green tea cream and its chemical components were investigated. The green tea infusions were processed from different parts of new shoots: the bud and the first leaf, the second leaf and its implicative stem, the third leaf and its implicative stem, and the fourth leaf and its implicative stem, which were named as first part, second part, third part and fourth part, respectively. The results showed that the formation of tea cream and its settlement slowed down gradually from the first part to the fourth part, and that the amount of tea cream also decreased accordingly. The amount of tea cream was influenced remarkably by the chemical components in the green tea infusion. The main components of green tea cream were polyphenols (29.86 –78.66%), total sugar (14.47–27.62%) and caffeine (2.35–10.43%). Catechins (12.8–42.5%) were the main components of polyphenols which participated in tea cream formation. The main components in the catechins were found to be (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (−)-epicatechin (EC) and (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG). Seven minerals were found in the tea cream, including Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺.     

Simultaneous analysis of purine alkaloids and catechins in Camellia sinensis, Camellia ptilophylla and Camellia assamica var. kucha by HPLC

Simultaneous analysis of purine alkaloids and catechins in tea from dry leaves of Camellia sinensis, Camellia ptilophylla and Camellia assamica var. kucha by a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. This HPLC method had been proved to be appropriate for the identification and quantification of purine alkaloids and catechins, and exhibited good correlation coefficients, detection levels and recovery rates. Caffeine, theobromine, theacrine, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin gallate, (−)-epicatechin gallate, (−)-gallocatechin gallate and (−)-gallocatechin were identified and quantified in the three species of genus Camellia Sect. Thea. There was 2.72% caffeine and 0.26% theobromine in C. sinensis, 4.85% theobromine in C. ptilophylla, and 1.58% theacrine, 0.94% caffeine and 0.45% theobromine in C. assamica var. kucha. Theacrine in C. sinensis and C. ptilophylla, and caffeine in C. ptilophylla were not detected. These data highlight differences in the relative proportions of purine alkaloids in the three species of Camellia Sect. Thea. In addition, different catechins were identified and quantified. The highest content of catechin in dry leaves was (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) 3.51%, (−)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG) 9.88% and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) 6.78% in C. sinensis, C. ptilophylla and C. assamica var. kucha, respectively.     

Synergistic effect of green tea polyphenols with trolox on free radical-induced oxidative DNA damage

The antioxidant effect of the principal polyphenolic components extracted from green tea leaves, namely (−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and their synergistic antioxidant effects with trolox against oxidative DNA damage were studied. The oxidative DNA damage was initiated by a water-soluble azo initiator, 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH) and the ability of green tea polyphenols and/or trolox (a water-soluble analogue of α-tocopherol) to inhibit the oxidative damage of DNA was assessed, in vitro, by measuring the conversion of supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA to the open circular and linear forms. It was found that these green tea polyphenols could significantly inhibit the oxidative damage of DNA synergistically with trolox, with an activity sequence of EC = ECG > EGCG > EGC.     

Seasonal climate effects on flavanols and purine alkaloids of tea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis> L.)

The seasonal climate changes and their effects on flavanol and purine alkaloid contents of two leaves and a bud of tea were evaluated among 3 cultivars grown in Hangzhou, China. The results showed (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) increased, but (+)-catechin (C) decreased with increasing daily average temperature (DAT). Long period of precipitation (PRE) led to the declines of EGC, EC, ECG, EGCG and their total content (TC) but increased C content. Furthermore, relative humidity (RH) significantly affected EGC, TC and caffeine. Therefore, DAT, PRE and RH should not be ignored in tea production. The order of climate dependence according to the regression models was C > EGCG > TC > EGC > EC > caffeine > ECG > theobromine, indicating seasonal climate had greater effects on flavanols than purine alkaloids.     

Effects of metal ions (Cu,Fe and Fe) on HPLC analysis of catechins

Catechins [(−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)] were analysed by HPLC using an ODS column, an electrochemical detector (0.75 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and an eluting solvent composed of water containing buffer (84% v/v), acetonitrile (12% v/v) and ethylacetate (4% v/v) in the presence of metal ions (Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺). HPLC peaks were affected by metal ions: the peak intensities of ECG and EGCG decreased, but the peak intensities of EC and EGC were not affected seriously. Fe²⁺ most markedly decreased the peak intensities of EGCG. EDTA was added to mask metal ions and an optimum condition was proposed. The effects of the metal ions on HPLC analysis are discussed from the viewpoints of metal complex formation with catechins and oxidation of catechins on the basis of ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV).     

乌龙茶加工过程中儿茶素的稳定性及化学变化

研究半发酵乌龙茶加工对活性化学成分儿茶素的影响。采摘的鲜叶立即在严格控制的加工条件下进行加工,分析每道加工工艺操作所制茶叶的儿茶素总量和各种儿茶素单体(－)-儿茶素、(－)-表没食子儿茶素、(＋)-儿茶素、(－)-表儿茶素、(－)-表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯、没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯、(－)-表儿茶素没食子酸酯、(－)-儿茶素没食子酸酯的含量。研究表明,在乌龙茶加工过程中,儿茶素总含量略有下降,约为10%;儿茶素单体变化不一。在加工工艺中,做青、杀青和干燥对儿茶素含量影响较大。为使乌龙茶中儿茶素的潜在健康效益最大化,这3 道工艺应在茶叶生产中加以考虑并做到最优化,以期为乌龙茶加工研究提供一定的参考依据。     

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.     

Effects of enzyme treatment on volatile and non-volatile compounds in dried green tea leaves

Food Science and Biotechnology - Green tea contains polyphenols, mainly four catechins, including (−)-epigallocatechin gallate, (−)-epicatechin gallate, (−)-epigallocatechin, and...     

Stability of Green Tea Catechins in Commercial Tea Leaves during Storage for 6 Months

ABSTRACT:  To help meet the needs of consumers, producers of dietary tea products, and researchers for information on health-promoting tea ingredients, we determined by HPLC 7 catechins [(−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-catechin (C), (+)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), (−)-gallocatechin 3-gallate (GCG), (−)-epicatechin 3-gallate (ECG), and (−)-catechin 3-gallate (CG)] in samples of 8 commercial green tea leaves of unknown history sold as tea bags in the United States, Korea, and Japan. The samples were stored at 20 °C and sampled at 1 wk and 1, 2, 4, and 6 mo. The following ranges in the initial values (0 controls) were observed (in mg/g tea leaves): EGC and C, 0 to trace amounts; EC, 1.9 to 21.1; EGCG, 13.3 to 113.0; GCG, 0.2 to 1.6; ECG, 5.7 to 50.5; CG 0.5 to 3.7; total catechins 36.5 to 169.7. Statistical analysis of the results and plots of changes in individual and total catechin levels as a function of storage time indicate a progressive decrease in the content in the total levels, most of which is due to losses in the most abundant catechins, EGCG and ECG. Possible mechanisms of degradations of catechins during storage and the possible significance of the results to consumers of tea are discussed.     

珠形茶摊青过程中主要化学成分的变化

以珠形茶茶青为材料,采用感官判断法和亨特-Lab表色法,并结合高效液相色谱法和化学分析法,对不同摊青处理茶样分别进行了叶相观察、色泽测定和主要化学成分分析,并利用SPSS统计软件进行差异显著性和相关性分析。结果表明：摊青过程中茶青含水率呈显著减少,色泽逐渐加深,叶质逐渐变软,清香逐渐显露,最适宜珠形茶加工的含水率和-b/a值分别为74%和3.66;含水率、ECG、EGCG、GCG、酯型儿茶素总量、儿茶素总量呈减少趋势;氨基酸总量和可溶性糖呈增加趋势;茶多酚、酚氨比、EC、儿茶素总量呈先减少后增加的趋势;EGC呈先减少再增加后减少的趋势;C呈先增加再减少后增加的趋势。含水率变化与EC呈正相关,与可溶性糖呈负相关,但均未达到显著水平;而与茶多酚、酚氨比、EGC、EGCG、GCG、ECG、酯型儿茶素总量和儿茶素总量呈极显著正相关,如与EGCG的相关系数r0.01=0.99＊＊;与氨基酸和C呈极显著负相关。     

Variation in catechin contents in relation to quality of ‘Huang Zhi Xiang’ Oolong tea (Camellia sinensis) at various growing altitudes and seasons

The variations in the contents of catechins and phenolic compounds in relation to the quality scores (QS) and taste scores (TS) in the ‘Huang Zhi Xiang’ Oolong tea grown in different seasons and at different altitudes were determined. The study demonstrated that the contents of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), catechin gallate (CG), and total catechins (TC) in the Oolong teas grown at a high altitude were significantly higher than those grown at a low altitude. Furthermore, the contents of EGCG, CG, and TC in the autumn tea were significantly higher than those from the spring tea grown at a low altitude. However, no significant differences in the contents of EGCG, CG, and TC were observed between the spring and autumn teas grown at a high altitude. In addition, the contents of (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (+)-catechin (C), (−)-gallocatechin (GC), and simple catechins (SC) in the spring tea leaves were significantly higher than those in the autumn tea leaves grown at a low altitude, but they were not significantly different from those in the autumn tea leaves grown at a high altitude. The contents of EGCG, CG, and TC in the Oolong teas were positively and significantly correlated to the taste score (TS) and quality score (QS) of the Oolong tea. Thus, the contents of EGCG, CG, and TC could be the important quality parameters of the ‘Huang Zhi Xiang’ Oolong tea. This work suggested that the production of the ‘Huang Zhi Xiang’ Oolong tea grown at low altitudes should utilize the autumn tea leaves while the production of Oolong tea grown at high altitudes can use both the spring and autumn tea leaves.     

远安黄茶啤酒抗氧化物质的分离与鉴定

以抗氧化活性为筛选导向,采用醇沉、溶剂萃取、大孔树脂分离和半制备型液相色谱联用技术从远安黄茶啤酒中分离出8 个具有抗氧化作用的关键组分。进一步结合超高效液相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱联用技术对抗氧化组分进行分析,共鉴定出8 种化合物,分别为表没食子儿茶素（(－)-epigallocatechin,EGC）、咖啡因、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（(－)-epigallocatechin gallate,EGCG）、表儿茶素（epicatechin,EC）、1,2,6-三没食子酰-β-D-葡萄糖、表儿茶素没食子酸酯（(－)-epicatechin gallate,ECG）、柯里拉京（corilagin,Cor）和色氨酸（Trp）。抗氧化活性和定量研究发现,EGC、EGCG、EC、ECG和Cor是远安黄茶啤酒中的主要抗氧化物质,对酒体的抗氧化活性贡献可达54.61%。其中,EGCG的贡献值最大,其次为EGC、ECG、EC和Cor。本研究为鉴定茶啤酒中的关键抗氧化成分,实现高抗氧化啤酒产品的选择性研发提供了技术支撑。     

Antiviral activity of green tea catechins against feline calicivirus as a surrogate for norovirus

In this study, several medicinal plant extracts including spices, herb teas, and medical herbs were screened for antiviral activity against feline calicivirus (FCV), a surrogate of norovirus. Among them, a methanolic extract of green tea, Camellia sinensis, only exhibited a significant antiviral activity against FCV. The methanolic extract was further fractionated with several solvents such as methanol (MeOH), n-hexane, chloroform (CHCl₃), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and water. EtOAc-soluble fraction exhibited the highest antiviral activity against FCV. Moreover, the analysis of the most active fraction using a HPLC led to the identification of 4 known catechins: (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG). Among the catechins tested in this study, EGCG exhibited the most effective antiviral activity (EC₅₀, 12 mg/mL) with relatively low cytotoxicity (CC₅₀, 320 mg/ mL), resulting relatively high selectivity index value 26.67. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental verification showing antiviral activity of catechins from green tea against FCV.     

Changes in content of organic acids and tea polyphenols during kombucha tea fermentation

Kombucha tea is a fermented tea beverage produced by fermenting sugared black tea with tea fungus (kombucha). Tea polyphenols which includes (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and theaflavin (TF) have been reported to possess various biological activities. The present study focused on changes in content of organic acid and tea polyphenols in kombucha tea prepared from green tea (GTK), black tea (BTK) and tea manufacture waste (TWK) during fermentation. Concentration of acetic acid has reached maximum up to 9.5 g/l in GTK on 15th day and glucuronic acid concentration was reached maximum upto 2.3 g/l in BTK on 12th day of fermentation. Very less concentration of lactic acid was observed during the fermentation period and citric acid was detected only on 3rd day of fermentation in GTK and BTK but not in TWK. When compared to BTK and TWK very less degradation of EGCG (18%) and ECG (23%) was observed in GTK. TF and thearubigen (TR) were relatively stable when compared to epicatechin isomers. The biodegradation of tea catechins, TF and TR during kombucha fermentation might be due to some unknown enzymes excreted by yeasts and bacteria in kombucha culture.     

不同采制季节信阳白茶品质成分的比较分析

该研究采用高效液相色谱法（HPLC）等方法对春季、夏季和秋季茶树鲜叶加工而成的18款信阳白茶茶样中的8种儿茶素、6种黄酮类、2种酚酸、3种嘌呤碱等品质成分进行测定,对不同采制季节的信阳白茶进行品质成分进行对比分析。主成分分析（PCA）和聚类分析（HCA）技术均能将信阳白茶茶样按照采制季节不同进行归类,分为春季、夏季和秋季白茶。通过独立样本t-检验和单因素方差分析,探究了不同采制季节信阳白茶中儿茶素、黄酮类、嘌呤碱等品质成分差异。结果显示：不同采制季节信阳白茶中的品质成分均存在显著性（p<0.01）或极显著性（p<0.001）差异;春季白茶中(-)-表没食子酸儿茶素（EGC）、(-)-表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG）和鞣花酸含量极显著性（p<0.001）高于夏季或秋季白茶,含量分别为33.26、59.30、2.81 mg/g左右;夏季白茶中(-)-儿茶素没食子酸酯（CG）、(-)-没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（GCG）、花旗松素、芦丁、杨梅素、山奈酚、槲皮素、木犀草素含量极显著性（p<0.001）高于秋季白茶,含量分别高达0.72、4.40、0.84、2.40、0.97、0.21、0.25、0.11 mg/g;秋季白茶中(+)-儿茶素（C）、(-)-表儿茶素（EC）、(-)-表儿茶素没食子酸酯（ECG）、没食子酸、咖啡碱和可可碱极显著性（p<0.001）高于夏季或春季白茶,含量分别为4.98、14.35、27.02、10.10、36.85、1.53 mg/g。该研究揭示了信阳白茶的品质特征和不同采制季节信阳白茶品质成分差异,为白茶等茶叶采制季节的识别提供了科学依据。     

ANTIRADICAL EFFICIENCY OF TEA COMPONENTS

Tea contains antioxidant compounds, such as (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallic acid and caffeine. The antioxidant activity of these compounds as well as 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid (the major metabolite of caffeine) was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). The antiradical ability according to the EC₅₀ was EGCG > ECG > EGC > gallic acid > EC > BHT > 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid > caffeine. The time for these compounds to reach the steady state was considered, and the concept of antioxidant efficiency (AE₅₀) involving the EC₅₀ and the time to reach the steady state was used to evaluate the antiradical efficacy. The order of antiradical efficiency according to AE₅₀ was ECG gallic acid > EGCG > EC > EGC > BHT > 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid > caffeine.     

The ability of gallate and pyrogallol moieties of catechins to inhibit P-glycoprotein function

The role of structure–activity relationships in the ability of catechins to inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function was investigated with respect to gallate and pyrogallol moieties. Experiments using octyl derivatives of gallic acid indicated that the gallate moiety required the catechol group and a neighboring carbonyl group to inhibit P-gp. On the other hand, the pyrogallol moiety appeared to require three hydroxyl groups to inhibit P-gp, according to comparisons between (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The difference in the number of hydroxyl groups that gallate or pyrogallol moieties required for P-gp inhibition, was due to the presence of a carbonyl group. The P-gp inhibition by catechins was restricted by their hydrophobicity. The pyrogallol moiety of EGC did not appear to inhibit P-gp because of its low hydrophobicity. The P-gp inhibitory activity of EGCG was speculated to be increased by the addition of long carbon chains to the C3″of gallate moieties.     

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF GREEN TEA CATECHINS IN A β-CAROTENE-LINOLEATE MODEL SYSTEM

A crude mixture of catechins was isolated from Chinese green tea leaves using a hot water extraction. Individual catechins were then separated by chromatographic means using Sephadex LH-20 followed by semi-preparative HPLC. The antioxidant activity of crude and individual catechins was then determined in a β-carotene-linoleate model system. Results indicated that (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) possessed the strongest antioxidative activity and (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC) showed the weakest effect. The antioxidative efficacy of (−)-epicatechin (EC) and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was similar and in between those of ECG and EGC. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of a reconstituted catechin mixture in the proportions present in the crude extract was lower than that of the crude mixture itself, thus indicating that noncatechin components in the mixture possessed their own antioxidant activity or acted synergistically with the catechins.     

Cream formation in a semifermented tea

The formation of cream in Paochung tea, a popular semifermented tea, which undergoes a lesser degree of enzymic oxidation during manufacture, was investigated at various extraction temperatures, extraction times, pHs and leaf/water ratios. The primary components of Paochung tea cream were catechins (30%), caffeine (20%) and protein (16%). (−)-Epigallocatechin gallate and (−)-epicatechin gallate were the major catechins precipitated during creaming, constituting 19% and 5% of the tea cream respectively. The amount of tea cream produced and its composition were influenced by extraction temperature and pH. The tea leaf/water ratio determined the amount of tea cream formed but did not affect the cream composition. Catechins were considered to be the key component in tea cream. They interacted with caffeine and protein to induce tea cream formation. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry