Improving the Extraction of Catechins of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) by Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE) Combined with Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Pretreatment

The aim of this study was to find the optimum condition of pulsed electric field (PEF) and intense pulsed light (IPL) for the enhancement of subcritical water extraction (SWE), which is an eco-friendly extraction method, for extracting tea catechins from green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). The leaves were treated with PEF under conditions of electric field strength (1, 2 and 3 kV/cm) during 60 s. Moreover, IPL was applied at various voltages (800, 1000, and 1200 V) for 60 s. The SWE was performed for 5 min at varying temperatures (110, 130, 150, 170, and 190 °C). The maximum yield of total catechin was 44.35 ± 2.00 mg/g dry green tea leaves at PEF treatment conditions of 2 kV/cm during 60 s, as well as the SWE temperature of 130 °C. In the case of IPL treatment, the largest amount of total catechin was 48.06 ± 5.03 mg/g dry green tea leaves at 800 V during 60 s when the extraction temperature was 130 °C. The total catechin content was increased by 15.43% for PEF and 25.09% for IPL compared to the value of untreated leaves. This study verified that PEF and IPL had a positive effect on the enhancement of tea catechins extraction from green tea leaves using SWE.

Study of flavonoids and phenolic acids in green tea leaves

The aim of work is study qualitative composition and quantitative content of flavonoids and phenolic acids in green tea leaves. Material and methods. The object of the study was green tea leaves, which were collected in Anhui Province, China. The analysis of 60 % ethanolic extract from green tea leaves was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography using a Prominence LC-20 Shimadzu chromatographic system (Japan) with an SPD-20AV spectrophotometric detector, an Agilent Technologies Microsorb-MV-150 column (reversed-phase, C18 modified silica gel, length – 250 mm, diameter – 4.6 mm, particles size – 5 μm). Identification of substances in the extract was carried out by comparing the retention time and the spectral characteristics of the test substances with the same characteristics of the reference standards. Results. 13 compounds were identified and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Among flavonoid aglycones quantitatively dominated by quercetin (0.35 %), in the case of flavonoid glycosides, it was luteolin-6-C-glycoside (1.30 %) and among phenolic acids, it was gallic acid (5.21 %). Conclusions. The qualitative composition, quantitative content of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the green tea leaves were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. According to HPLC, the content of flavonoids in green tea leaves was higher than the content of phenolic acids.

Determination of catechins in green tea leaves by HPLC compared to spectrophotometry

Aim. To study the qualitative composition, the quantitative content of catechins in green tea leaves and compare the data obtained with those evaluated by spectrophotometry.Materials and methods. Green tea leaves used for the analysis were collected in Anhui Province, China. The extract for the HPLC analysis was obtained by the maceration method with 60 % ethanol twice in the raw material/extractant ratio of 1 : 20. In the case of the spectrophotometric analysis, green tea leaves were extracted with 70 % ethanol twice by the maceration method in the raw material/extractant ratio of 1 : 20. The analysis of the extract from green tea leaves was performed by high performance liquid chromatography using a Prominence LC-20 Shimadzu chromatographic system (Japan) with a SPD-20AV spectrophotometric detector, an Agilent Technologies Microsorb-MV-150 column (reversed phase, C18 modified silica gel, length – 150 mm, diameter – 4.6 mm, particles size – 5 μm). Substances in the extract were identified by comparing the retention time and the spectral characteristics of the test substances with the same characteristics of the reference standards. Spectrophotometric measurements were carried out using a UV-1000 single beam spectrophotometer (China) with the pair of S90-309Q quartz square cells.Results and discussion. Using high performance liquid chromatography 5 catechins were identified. Among them epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (10.85 %) predominated, while catechin (0.61 %) had the lowest concentration. The total amount of catechins in green tea leaves was 30.56 and 24.79 % by HPLC and spectrophotometry, respectively. The F- and t-tests showed that there was no significant difference between the results of HPLC and spectrophotometry.Conclusions. The qualitative composition and the quantitative content of catechins have been determined in the extract from green tea leaves by high performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry. Both HPLC and spectrophotometric methods can be used to determine the total catechin content in green tea leaves. The high content of catechins makes the extract promising for further study and creation of new herbal medicinal products and dietary supplements. The results obtained will be used for standardization of green tea leaves and for future pharmacological research of its extract.

Green tea leaves extract with low concentration of EGCG can provide health benefits without causing renal damage

Green tea or its concentrated extract is coveted for its health promoting catechin-like polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). However, its amicable efficacy is now being doubted considering the recent occurrence of several cases of hepato- and nephrotoxicity, after the ingestion of EGCG-fortified (≥85–90%) nutritional supplements. Therefore, the current study was carried out to ascertain the effect of green tea leaves extract (GTE), having low EGCG content (73.8%), on liver and kidney functions of male Wistar rats using various in vivo experiments and in vitro radical scavenging activity. In terms of acute toxicity, GTE was observed to be safe when delivered at a dosage of 2000 mg kg−1 body weight (BW). Oral delivery of GTE for 28 days at a concentration of 200 mg kg−1 BW/day did not trigger sub-acute toxicity to the liver and kidneys, as per serum biochemical analyses and histopathological examination. In contrast, GTE counteracted the effects of carbon tetrachloride (a potent hepato-degenerative compound) on the liver. Furthermore, increase in high-density lipoprotein―cholesterol with concomitant lowering of serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein―cholesterol were noticed in GTE-treated rats. These findings suggest that low EGCG containing GTE, with appreciable antioxidant activity (IC50 = 53.18–71.28 μg mL−1), can serve as a hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and hypocholesterolemic ingredient.

Lactic Acid Fermented Green Tea with Levilactobacillus brevis Capable of Producing γ-Aminobutyric Acid

The antioxidative activity and bioactive compounds content of lactic acid fermented green tea (LFG) fermented with an outstanding GABA-producing strain under optimised fermentation conditions were evaluated. Levilactobacillus strain GTL 79 was isolated from green tea leaves and selected based on acid production, growth potential, catechin resistance, and GABA production to be applied to LFG. Through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain was identified as Levilactobacillus brevis. The optimised conditions were defined as fermentation at 37 °C with supplementation of 1% fermentation alcohol, 6% glucose, and 1% MSG and was determined to be most effective in increasing the lactic acid, acetic acid, and GABA content in LFG by 522.20%, 238.72% and 232.52% (or 247.58%), respectively. Initial DPPH scavenging activity of LFG fermented under the optimised conditions was 88.96% and rose to 94.38% by day 5. Polyphenols may contribute to the initial DPPH scavenging activity, while GABA and other bioactive compounds may contribute to the activity thereafter. Consequently, as GABA and other bioactive compounds found in green tea have been reported to have health benefits, future studies may prove that optimally fermented LFG by L. brevis GTL 79 could be useful in the food and health industries.

Effects of Aqueous Extract of Tulsi and Cardamom on Elderly Depressive Subjects - A Preliminary Clinical Study

An aqueous extract of <em>Ocimum sanctum</em> (Tulsi) and <em>Elettaria cardamomum</em> (Cardamom) was administered to elderly subjects suffering from depression living in selected old age home. Geriatric Depression Assessment Scale was used to assess the level of depression; based on the scale, 40 subjects were selected for the study. The subjects were divided into two groups of twenty each. Experimental group received aqueous extracts of<em> Ocimum sanctum</em> and <em>cardamom</em> for eight weeks, similarly, control group received aqueous extract of <em>green tea leaves.</em> Post assessment was done after eight weeks of treatment in both the control and experimental groups. Aqueous extracts of <em>Ocimum sanctum</em> and <em>cardamom</em> were found to have a significant anti depressive effect on experimental group after 8 weeks, while control group did not show any significant change. Preliminary data of the study showed a significant antidepressive activity of <em>Ocimum sanctum</em> and <em>cardamom</em> extracts.

GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLE USING GREEN TEA LEAVES EXTRACT FOR REMOVAL CIPROFLOXACIN (CIP) FROM AQUEOUS MEDIA

This study examines the removal of ciprofloxacin in an aqueous solution using green tea silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). The synthesized Ag-NPs have been classified by the different techniques of SEM, AFM, BET, FTIR, and Zeta potential. Spherical nanoparticles with average sizes of 32 nm and a surface area of 1.2387m2/g are found to be silver nanoparticles. The results showed that the ciprofloxacin removal efficiency depends on the initial pH (2.5-10), CIP (2-15 mg/L), temperature (20-50°C), time (0-180 min), and Ag-NPs dosage (0.1-1g/L). Batch experiments revealed that the removal rate with ratio (1:1) (w/w) were 52%, and 79.8% of the 10 mg/L of CIP at 60, and 180 minutes, respectively with optimal pH=4. Kinetic models for adsorption and ciprofloxacin mechanism removal were also investigated, and kinetic analyzes showed adsorption to be a 3.8727kJ.mol-1 activation energy physical adsorption mechanism. The kinetic removal process, due to the low activation energy of 14.0606kJ.mol-1, is preferred the model of first-order after a physical diffusion-controlled reaction. Adsorption information from Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin models was followed, and the Dubinin isotherm model was the best-fitted model. the thermodynamic parameter ?G0 values at 20, 30, 40 and 50°C were (0.5163, -0.0691, -0.9589, -0.5927kJ/mol). The value of ?H0 and ?S0 were (12.713kJ/mol and 0.0422073kJ/mol.k) which indicated favorable and endothermic sorption. The presence and concentration of CIP in aqueous media were identified through UV analysis.