Identification and antioxidant activity of several pigments from the residual green tea (Camellia sinensis) after hot water extraction

J UOEH. 2001 Dec 1;23(4):335-44. doi: 10.7888/juoeh.23.335.

Abstract

Antioxidant activity of green tea extract or tea-derived polyphenols has been extensively studied. However, antioxidant activity in the non-polyphenolic fraction of green tea has been poorly analyzed. In the present study, we analyzed the antioxidant activity of the non-polyphenolic fraction of the residual green tea (Camellia sinensis) after hot water extraction using the aluminum chloride method. The non-polyphenolic fraction of residual green tea caused a significant suppression against hydroperoxide generation from oxidized linoleic acid in a dose-dependent manner. When the concentrate of the non-polyphenolic fraction was applied to a silica gel TLC plate and developed, six color spots were observed, which were considered to be chlorophylls a and b, pheophytins a and b, carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and lutein according to their specific colors, Rf values of silica gel TLC and spectrophotometric properties. Among these pigments, pheophytins a and b showed relatively abundant amounts, and the second major group of the pigment was chlorophylls a and b, and carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein indicated lower concentrations. Although all these pigments exhibited significant antioxidant activities, the ranks of suppressive activity against hydroperoxide generation were chlorophyll a > lutein > pheophytin a > chlorophyll b > beta-carotene > pheophytin b. These results suggest that the non-polyphenolic fraction of residual green tea has a potent suppressive activity against hydroperoxide generation from oxidized linoleic acid, which is derived from the antioxidant activities of chlorophylls a and b, pheophytins a and b, beta-carotene and lutein. This finding also implies that the combined intake of polyphenols in water-soluble fraction and antioxidative pigments in the non-polyphenolic fraction of green tea will be more efficient to prevent life style-related chronic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Acetone
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Camellia sinensis / chemistry*
  • Chlorophyll / isolation & purification
  • Chlorophyll / pharmacology
  • Chlorophyll A
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hot Temperature
  • Lipid Peroxides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Lutein / isolation & purification
  • Lutein / pharmacology
  • Pheophytins / isolation & purification
  • Pheophytins / pharmacology
  • Pigments, Biological / isolation & purification*
  • Pigments, Biological / pharmacology*
  • Tea / chemistry*
  • Water
  • beta Carotene / isolation & purification
  • beta Carotene / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Lipid Peroxides
  • Pheophytins
  • Pigments, Biological
  • Tea
  • beta Carotene
  • Water
  • Acetone
  • Chlorophyll
  • chlorophyll b
  • Lutein
  • Chlorophyll A