The protective roles of tea tree oil extracts in bovine mammary epithelial cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Background: Tea tree oil(TTO) plays an important role in antibacterial activity and alleviating the inflammatory responses. Bovine mammary epithelium and polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMNL) can actively respond to bovine mastitis infection. However, regulatory effects of TTO extracts on the innate immune response of bovine mammary epithelial cells(BMECs) and PMNL remain not reported. Therefore, aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of TTO extracts on the m RNA levels of the genes involved in the innate immune response of BMECs and PMNL.Results: Our results demonstrated that addition of 0.025% and 0.05% TTO increased the proliferation of BMECs, and significantly enhanced(P < 0.05) the viability of BMECs exposed to Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus). An inhibitory effect was observed against the growth of S. aureus by TTO incubation. The 0.05% TTO reduced S. aureus biofilm formation, association and invasion of S. aureus to BMECs, and changed the morphological and structural features of S. aureus. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were decreased(P < 0.001) by the incubation of TTO. Interestingly, the expression of IL-8 known for PMNL chemotactic function was elevated(P < 0.05) by 0.05%TTO treatment. Consistently, 0.05% TTO increased the migration of PMNL in S. aureus-exposed BMECs when compared with S. aureus treatment alone(P < 0.05). In addition, PMNL incubated with 0.05% TTO decreased the levels of NFKB inhibitor alpha(NFKBIA) and TNF-α.Conclusions: Our results indicate that use of TTO can relieve the BMECs pro-inflammatory response caused by S.aureus and promote the migration of PMNL to mount the innate immune responses, and it may be novel strategy for the treatment of bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus.

Use RAPD Analysis to Classify Tea Trees in Yunnan

RAPD assessment on genetic variations of 45 tea trees in Yunnan was carried out. Eight primers selected from 40 random primers were used to amplify 45 tea samples, and a total of 95 DNA bands were amplified, of which 90(94.7%)were polymorphism. The average number of DNA bands amplified by each primer was 11.5. Based on the results of UPGMA cluster analysis of 95 DNA bands amplified by 8 primers, all the tested materials could be classified into 7 groups including 5 complex groups and 2 simple groups, which was basically identical with morphological classification. In addition, there were some speciations in 2 simple groups.

A randomized controlled trial of topical tea tree preparation for MRSA colonized wounds

Background:The prevalence of MRSA(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)colonized wounds in home care residents is expected to grow continuously as a result of the substantial proportion of older people requiring institutionalized care due to chronic disease and declining functional status,which contribute to more frequent skin breakdown and wound formation.Tea tree oil has been claimed to have anti-bacterial,analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that have been suggested in many in-vitro studies to have good efficacy against MRSA.The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of 10%topical tea tree preparation to eradicateMRSA and to ascertain its influence on wound healing forMRSA-colonized wounds.Methods:It was a randomized controlled trial,single-blind study.Those with stage II or above MRSA-colonized wounds and who had given their informed consent formed the sample.The determined sample sizewasbasedonthe effect size of our previouspilot study,whichwas 0.46.Five outcome measurements were taken for the MRSA bacterial count and wound healing condition at baseline and at 1-week intervals during the 4-week dressing intervention period.Results:Thirty-two participants were recruited from two non-government nursing homes,16 in the control group and 16 in the tea tree oil group.The control group residents received routine saline gauze dressing,while the tea tree oil group residents received the 10%topical tea tree preparation dressing.In the tea tree oil group,all chronic wounds that had previously been delayed in healing were healed within 28 days without adverse reaction.MRSA was also completely eradicated in 14(87.5%)out of 16 wounds in the group receiving the 10%topical tea tree preparation.

Climatic Zoning of Tea Tree Planting in Hanzhong City

[ Objective] The research aimed to study climatic zoning of tea tree cultivation in Hanzhong. [Method] Based on climate data at 11 meteorological observatories of Hanzhong during 1971 -2010, selecting annual average extreme minimum temperature, annual average temperature, accumulative temperature ≥10 ℃ and annual rainfall as climatic zoning factors, regression model between zoning factors and geographic information was established, and comprehensive climatic zoning indicator of tea tree cultivation in Hanzhong was determined. [ Result] Tea tree cultivation in Hanzhong was divided into suitable, more suitable and unsuitable planting zones by using critical value of climatic zoning. [ Conclusion] The research could provide scientific basis for reasonable planning layout and sustainable development of tea tree in the whole city.

Tea tree oil,a vibrant source of neuroprotection via neuroinflammation inhibition:a critical insight into repurposing Melaleuca alternifolia by unfolding its characteristics

Over the past few decades,complementary and alternative treatments have become increasingly popular worldwide.The purported therapeutic characteristics of natural products have come under increased scrutiny both in vitro and in vivo as part of efforts to legitimize their usage.One such product is tea tree oil(TTO),a volatile essential oil primarily obtained from the native Australian plant,Melaleuca alternifolia,which has diverse traditional and industrial applications such as topical preparations for the treatment of skin infections.Its anti-inflammatory-linked immunomodulatory actions have also been reported.This systematic review focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of TTO and its main components that have shown strong immunomodulatory potential.An extensive literature search was performed electronically for data curation on worldwide accepted scientific databases,such as Web of Science,Google Scholar,PubMed,ScienceDirect,Scopus,and esteemed publishers such as Elsevier,Springer,Frontiers,and Taylor&Francis.Considering that the majority of pharmacological studies were conducted on crude oils only,the extracted data were critically analyzed to gain further insight into the prospects of TTO being used as a neuroprotective agent by drug formulation or dietary supplement.In addition,the active constituents contributing to the activity of TTO have not been well justified,and the core mechanisms need to be unveiled especially for anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects leading to neuroprotection.Therefore,this review attempts to correlate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of TTO with its neuroprotective mechanisms.

Preparation and characterization of tea tree oil-β-cyclodextrin microcapsules with super-high encapsulation efficiency

This study aimed to prepare tea tree oil-β-cyclodextrin microcapsules using an optimized co-precipitated method.The impact of the volume fraction of ethanol in the solvent system for microencapsulation on encapsulation efficiency was investigated and analyzed sophisticatedly.Super-high encapsulation efficiency was achieved when a 40%volume fraction of ethanol was used for the microencapsulation procedure,where the recovery yield of microcapsules and the embedding fraction of tea tree oil in microcapsules were as high as 88.3%and 94.3%,respec-tively.Additionally,considering the operation cost,including time and energy consumption,an economical preparation was validated so that it would be viable for large-scale production.Based on the results of morphological and X-ray diffraction analysis,the crystal structure appeared to differ before and after microencapsulation.The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of microcapsules.Furthermore,the antibacterial activity of the fabricated microcapsules was assessed by a simple growth inhibition test using Bacillus subtilis as the study object,and the hydrophilic property was proved by a water contact angle measurement.

The Tea Tree Genome Provides Insights into Tea Flavor and Independent Evolution of Caffeine Biosynthesis

Tea is the world＇s oldest and most popular caffeine-containing beverage with immense economic, medicinal, and cultural importance. Here, we present the first high-quality nucleotide sequence of the repeat-rich （80.9%）, 3.02-Gb genome of the cultivated tea tree Camellia sinensis. We show that an extraordinarily large genome size of tea tree is resulted from the slow, steady, and long-term amplification of a few LTR retrotransposon families. In addition to a recent whole-genome duplication event, lineage-specific expansions of genes associated with flavonoid metabolic biosynthesis were discovered, which enhance catechin production, terpene enzyme activation, and stress tolerance, important features for tea flavor and adaptation. We demonstrate an independent and rapid evolution of the tea caffeine synthesis pathway relative to cacao and coffee. A comparative study among 25 Camellia species revealed that higher expression levels of most flavonoid- and caffeinebut not theanine-related genes contribute to the increased production of catechins and caffeine and thus enhance tea-processing suitability and tea quality. These novel findings pave the way for further metabolomic and functional genomic refinement of characteristic biosynthesis pathways and will help develop a more diversified set of tea flavors that would eventually satisfy and attract more tea drinkers worldwide.

对92个茶树菇菌株的遗传多样性分析和农艺性状的评价

为了解茶树菇(Agrocybe aegerita)种质资源的遗传多样性和筛选优良的茶树菇新品种,采用菌株拮抗试验方法观察了92株茶树菇菌株间拮抗反应及其类型,ISSR-PCR(inter-simple sequence repeat-PCR)分子标记方法对92株茶树菇菌株的遗传多样性进行了综合分析。拮抗试验将92株茶树菇菌株分为27组;筛选出的20条ISSR引物共扩增出317条清晰条带,多态性条带平均比率为82.60%;在遗传相似系数为0.742时,ISSR分子标记分析可将92株茶树菇划分为6大类群,拮抗试验和ISSR分子标记分析的结果基本一致。通过对比农艺性状分析,初步筛选出滇农5、滇农14、茶5-800、白茶、闽农5及滇农8作为工厂化生产茶树菇菌种。结果表明茶树菇的遗传多样性丰富,结合栽培出菇试验可为茶树菇品种选育和杂交育种的亲本选择提供参考。

Estimating the Age of Oil-tea Camellia Trees

To determine the age of oil-tea camellia trees, regression equations including Logistic, Mitscherlich, Gompertz, Korf, and Richards were used to calculate accumulative growth rate using basal trunk disc and investigate the relations between the age of oil-tea camellia trees and their growth rate of secondary trunk. The Gompertz equation Y=71.296 1exp （-3.874 4exp （-0.006 4t）） was the most optimal equation to simulate the accumulative growth rate of basal trunk disc. This equation could be used to estimate the age of oil-tea camellia trees that grow under similar environmental conditions. The Korf equation Y=576.900 1exp （-4.153 0x -0.314 2 ） was the best equation to describe the relation between the age and growth rate of different secondary trunks. With the adjustment coefficient and average growth of different secondary trunk discs, it is possible to predict the age of ancient oil-tea camellia trees that grow under similar environmental conditions. In addition, taking three or more discs from the same diameter group and calculating their average growth rate could lead to more accurate results. For trees that grow in different areas, environmental conditions should be carefully considered when using the above two equations to predict the age of ancient oil-tea camellia trees.

不同茶树品种芽型工夫红茶的品质特征

为了解不同茶树品种制作的芽型工夫红茶品质差异,采用高效液相色谱技术、固相微萃取-气相色谱-质谱联用(SPME-GC-MS)技术、定量描述性分析和化学计量学对10个茶树品种芽型工夫红茶的特征滋味物质和特征香气成分进行分析。定量描述性分析结果表明,10个茶树品种芽型工夫红茶的整体香气以甜香、花香为主,滋味以甜醇、浓厚为主。不同样品中检测的16种内含成分(非挥发性成分)存在一定的差异,平均变异系数为21.63%,其中茶黄素的差异最大;在10个茶树品种红茶中共检测出49种挥发性物质,其中质量分数最高的挥发性物质类型为醇类化合物,其次为酯类化合物,酮类化合物质量分数最低,其中香叶醇质量分数最高;正交偏最小二乘判别分析(orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis,OPLS-DA)能将‘金牡丹‘’福云7号’与其他茶树品种红茶区分开,且筛选出12种与芽型工夫红茶茶树品种密切相关的标志差异物。相关性分析结果表明,咖啡碱和茶多酚与回甘呈显著正相关,咖啡碱、可可碱与醇度呈显著正相关,香叶醇、顺-α,α-5-三甲基-5-乙烯基四氢化呋喃-2-甲醇、水杨酸甲酯、芳樟醇与花果香呈正相关。该研究为芽型工夫红茶的生产加工和品质提升提供了理论依据。

万州不同种植区域川中小叶种红茶滋味品质分析

为探明万州川中小叶种制作红茶滋味品质,该文以9个不同区域和表型特征的川中小叶种制备红茶,采用靶向检测方法,分析茶汤中儿茶素类、游离氨基酸类、生物碱类、黄酮醇及其苷类、有机酸类和可溶性糖组分6大类滋味成分,以感官分析,多元统计法,结合滋味贡献度(dove-over-threshold,Dot)分析川中小叶种茶树的滋味特征。结果表明:所有茶样分为4类,Ⅰ类茶样中包含C4,C5,C6,C8以及2个对比样,各滋味成分含量相对较为均衡;Ⅱ类茶样具备类似的林下栽培环境,黄酮苷类物质含量低,没食子酸、咖啡碱(caffeine,CAFF)、儿茶素类以及氨基酸类物质含量高,表现出醇厚、鲜爽度高的滋味特征;Ⅲ类茶样为叶形较大的种质,黄酮苷类、琥珀酸为其特征滋味成分,儿茶素类、茶氨酸和CAFF含量低,涩味和鲜爽度较高;Ⅳ类茶样儿茶素类、CAFF含量较高,Thea含量低,滋味浓强,但欠鲜爽。该研究对万州区不同区域川中小叶种制备红茶的品质特性进行了梳理,为该类种质资源进一步改进工艺和开发利用提供理论依据。

茶树油对脂多糖诱导奶牛小肠上皮细胞损伤的影响

本试验旨在研究茶树油(TTO)对脂多糖(LPS)诱导奶牛小肠上皮细胞(BIECs)损伤的影响。试验选取3头健康新生中国荷斯坦犊牛的空肠组织,分离并获得BIECs进行培养。通过使用不同浓度的LPS(0、1、2和4μg/mL)和不同浓度的TTO(0、0.00625%、0.01250%、0.02500%、0.05000%和0.10000%),建立细胞炎症模型。然后,对照组以不含TTO和LPS的培养基处理细胞;LPS组以1μg/mL的LPS处理细胞12 h;LPS+TTO组采用0.01250%和0.02500%的TTO预处理细胞12 h,经水洗后,再暴露于LPS处理12 h。结果表明:1)与对照组(未添加TTO)相比,添加0.00625%、0.01250%、0.02500%和0.05000%TTO对BIECs细胞活力无显著影响(P>0.05),添加TTO显著提高跨膜电阻(TEER)(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,添加0.01250%TTO显著提高BIECs中闭锁小带蛋白-1(ZO-1)、封闭蛋白(occludin)、闭合蛋白-1(claudin-1)和闭合蛋白-4(claudin-4)的mRNA相对表达量(P<0.05),显著降低肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的mRNA相对表达量(P<0.05)。2)与LPS组相比,LPS+TTO组TEER以及ZO-1、occludin和claudin-1的mRNA相对表达量显著提高(P<0.05),TNF-α的mRNA相对表达量显著降低(P<0.05);LPS+TTO组ZO-1蛋白相对表达量显著提高(P<0.05)。综上可知,TTO可以通过上调紧密连接蛋白表达和下调炎性因子表达,缓解LPS诱导的犊牛小肠上皮细胞屏障功能障碍和炎症损伤。

茶树精油微胶囊制备及其结构表征

为解决茶树精油稳定性差,对光、热、氧和湿度高度敏感,挥发性较强等问题,利用复合凝聚法制备微胶囊提高茶树精油稳定性。研究优化复合凝聚法制备茶树精油微胶囊的工艺,探究不同均质时间、均质速度、pH及凝聚时间对茶树精油乳液乳化效果和微胶囊的微观形态影响,并阐明茶树微胶囊包埋特性和缓释性能。研究结果表明,以明胶-六偏磷酸钠复合凝聚层为壁材,茶树精油乳液制备条件均质转速为20000 r/min,均质时间为15 min;茶树精油微胶囊复合凝聚pH为4.37,得到形态较均匀、微粒直径为0.80~1.32μm,包埋率为(44.75±0.09)%,缓释性能为65.13%。该研究为茶树精油微胶囊的制备提供必要的数据支撑。

茶树精油微胶囊包埋工艺优化及表征

为抑制茶树精油挥发,增强其缓释效果,以茶树精油为芯材、海藻酸钠为壁材,采用离子凝胶法制备茶树精油微胶囊,在明确了海藻酸钠质量分数、吐温-80体积分数、氯化钙质量分数及芯壁质量比等单因素对包埋率影响的基础上,采用响应面法对其制备工艺进行优化。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)及X-射线衍射仪(XRD)对茶树精油微胶囊进行表征,并对其缓释性能进行测定。结果表明:茶树精油微胶囊的最佳制备工艺条件为海藻酸钠质量分数1.5%、吐温-80体积分数0.2%、氯化钙质量分数1.4%、芯壁质量比2∶1,在此条件下制备的茶树精油微胶囊外形圆润、无拖尾、强度高、形态饱满,包埋率可达79.12%,同时具有良好的缓释效果;FTIR及XRD分析结果显示海藻酸钠通过静电作用与茶树精油结合并将其成功包埋,起到保护作用。本研究所采用的微胶囊制备工艺简单、包埋效果好,极大地提高了茶树精油的稳定性。

英德野生茶树叶片表型性状的遗传多样性分析

为了解英德野生茶树的叶片表型性状的遗传多样性及进化特点,对英德89份野生茶树资源的表型性状的变异系数、遗传多样性指数、表型分化系数进行分析。结果表明,89份资源的18项叶片性状的变异系数为12.90%~43.11%,平均27.86%;平均遗传多样性指数为1.12,表型分化系数为17.07%~45.51%,平均33.40%。聚类分析结果表明,当欧氏距离为21.5时,所有材料可分为4大类,分类结果与地域分布有一定相关性。巢氏方差分析表明,在不同种群间和种群内,数量性状均有极显著差异。相关性分析表明,叶长与叶宽、叶面积、叶脉对数、叶长宽比、叶形呈极显著相关;叶形与叶长宽比、叶脉对数之间呈极显著相关;叶基与叶宽之间呈极显著相关;叶长宽比与叶尖、着生状态呈极显著负相关。因此,英德野生茶树资源存在丰富的遗传多样性,茶树种质资源类型原始型、进化型以及中间类型并存,但以中间类型和进化型为主。

四川九龙古茶树种质资源农艺性状遗传多样性研究

为探究甘孜九龙古茶树种质资源的分布区域、形态特征和农艺性状的遗传多样性,通过基本统计分析、变异系数、多样性指数、主成分分析和聚类分析,对67份九龙古茶树种质资源的21个质量性状和12个数量性状进行了遗传多样性分析和评价。结果表明:九龙古茶树资源农艺性状变异丰富,除树型和树姿外,质量性状的遗传多样性指数范围为0.17~1.27,平均为0.82,其中以花瓣颜色多样性指数最小,果实形状的多样性指数最大;数量性状变异系数范围为1.38%~29.94%,平均为15.27%,以叶面积的变异系数最高,萼片数的变异系数最低。主成分分析显示,前11个主成分累计贡献率在76.49%,其中叶宽、叶长、叶色和花瓣颜色等性状是九龙古茶树种质资源农艺性状表现出差异的主要因素。21个质量性状聚类分析结果显示,在欧式距离为16.9时,可将67份九龙古茶树种质资源划分为4个类群,聚类结果与海拔高度及地理位置无明显相关性。本次调查的古茶树种质资源中有13份种质位于海拔2400 m以上,长势良好,展现出良好的抗寒性和抗旱性。此外,还有2份种质花瓣颜色特异,1份种质籽粒较大且结果率高。研究结果为九龙古茶树种质资源收集、保护和利用奠定一定基础。

不同品种和工艺条件对白茶品质形成机制的影响研究进展

白茶属微发酵茶,不同茶树品种制作工艺白茶鲜醇可口和花香浓郁的品质有所差异,在不同工艺条件下,茶中多酚类物质、蛋白质、游离氨基酸、生物碱和可溶性糖等内含物质发生不同程度变化,导致白茶外形、色泽及冲泡后汤色、滋味和香气发生不同程度的变化,进而赋予了独特的品质特征。白茶的品质形成十分复杂,其成分的组成、含量及所表现的香气特征受茶树品种和工艺条件的不同而有所差异。鉴于此,为推动工艺白茶产业的发展,挖掘白茶品质形成机制,本文综述了近几年白茶在萎凋和干燥过程中品质形成机制,分析了不同茶树品种和工艺条件对白茶品质影响原因并进行了展望,旨在为提升白茶品质、优化白茶加工工艺及利用和选育更多不同茶树品种供理论依据。

5个茶树品种试制碾茶的主要理化成分含量比较分析

选择优良的适制茶树品种对提升茶产品的品质非常关键。本文采摘梵净山区域引种的5个碾茶适制茶树品种的茶青,分别试制成碾茶产品,并对产品主要理化成分含量进行比较分析,选出最适宜在梵净山区域种植加工碾茶的茶树品种。结果表明,金萱品种加工的碾茶产品的游离氨基酸含量最高,为3.380%;薮北品种加工的碾茶产品的咖啡碱含量最低,为3.110%;金萱品种加工的碾茶产品的儿茶素组含量最低,为10.559%。经加权评分,金萱品种加工的碾茶产品品质最优,最适宜在梵净山区域种植以及加工碾茶。

茶树花的功能成分及相关产品研究进展

茶树花作为茶树生长发育过程中的副产物,具有丰富的保健功能成分和研究利用价值。中国是茶叶大国,茶树花资源丰富且开发潜力巨大。茶树花中存在丰富的保健功能成分,且与茶叶相似,对茶树花进行系统开发利用有助于增加茶农和茶企业的经济收益,实现“变废为宝”进一步提高茶产业的附加值,为茶农创造更多的经济价值。本文主要是通过文献综述的方式,收集、整理并分析近几年茶树花的研究和开发利用现状。从茶树花资源角度出发,对其生化成分的提取及近年茶树花产品开发利用现状进行综述,以期为茶树花资源的开发提供新的思路和参考,对茶产业的可持续发展具有一定的实践和经济价值。

茶树花的品质成分及功效研究进展

茶树花是茶叶生产产生的附加产物,含有丰富的营养成分,具有多种保健功能。为提高茶树花资源利用效率,本文综合文献资料,总结分析茶树花的主要成分及其功效,其中成份包括水溶性糖、茶皂素、蛋白质、氨基酸、黄酮类化合物和超氧化物歧化酶等,讨论不同茶树花之间有效部分的差异及其潜在的研究应用价值,包括水浸出物、茶多糖、茶氨酸和茶多酚,并对不同茶树花在食品领域、日用领域和医疗领域的选择性深度生产加工进行展望。