Chemical Constituents of Pu-erh Tea and Its Inhibition Effect on α-amylase in vitro

[Objective]The aim was to clarify the chemical substance basis of hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects of Pu-erh Tea. [Method]Pu-erh Tea was extracted with 95% ethanol,followed by petroleum ether,chloroform,ethyl acetate and n-butanol extraction,after the further purification and through the NKA-9 macroporous resin and many times of Sephadex column chromatography,two compounds were isolated,in the same time,the effect of Uracil and Gallic acid on α-amylase was studied. [Result]The Uracil and Gallic acid were isolated and identified respectively from Pu-erh Tea and the Uracil was firstly isolated from Pu-erh Tea; Gallic acid had strong inhibition on α-amylase. [Conclusion]It could provide some theories on the hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects of Pu-erh Tea.

Study on Pu-erh Tea Methanol Extracts on Antibacterial Activity of Several Plant Pathogens

[Objective] The aim was to study Pu-erh tea methanol extracts on antibacterial activity of several plant pathogens and provide reference for application of Pu-erh tea in agriculture disease prevention and control.[Method]The inhibitive effect of Pu-erh tea methanol extracts on several plant pathogens was studied by adopting mycelium growth rate method.[Result] The results showed that Pu-erh tea methanol extracts had inhibitive effects on Thanatephorus cucomeris(Frank)Donk,Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum,Fusa...

Analysis of α-amylase Inhibitor Content Change in Pu-erh Tea During Pile-fermentation Process

The study was to investigate the changes of α-amylase inhibitor content in Pu-erh tea during pile-fermentation process. Pu-erh tea samples from two regions of Shuangjiang County and Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County of Yunnan Province at various fermentation stages were used as experimental materials to investigate the effect of different fermentation stages on the inhibitory effect to α-amylase; and the change law of the inhibitory effect of c-amylase inhibitor during processing was meanwhile studied by determining the contents of tea polyphenol and amino acid. The results showed that crude meterial of Pu-erh tea presented strong inhibitory effect to α-amylase; this inhibitory effect assumed a de： creasing trend to the minimum at the middle stage of fermentation, whereafter it increased to some extent. Made tea also showed a strong inhibitory effect to α-amylase. During whole processing period, contents of tea polyphenol and amino acid generally assumed a remarkably decreasing trend. Our results provided references for further isolating co-amylase inhibitor from Pu-erh tea and discussing the mechanism of its health care function.

Factors Influencing the Effects of Theabrownin in Pu-erh Tea on Scavenging DPPH Radicals

[Objective] This study aimed to explore factors influencing the effects of theabrownin in Pu-erh tea on scavenging DPPH radicals. [Method] Taking Pu-erh tea as main research object, theabrownin in Pu-erh tea from tea piles with different times of mixture, stored for different years and processed by both the old and new techniques were extracted and isolated. And DPPH method was used to study the effects of theabrownin solution and tea liquor on scavenging radicals and their antioxidant activity. [Result] The result showed that the theabrownin content in Pu-erh tea from tea piles with one to four times of mixture revealed a first declining and subsequently rising trend. Under different pH conditions, the rates of DPPH radical scavenging of 1 mg/ml theabrownin solution made from tea piles with different times of mixture decreased gradually with the increase of pH, and all the rates were lower than that of the control vitamin C solution; the rates of DPPH radical scavenging of theabrownin from tea samples stored for different years and produced by different techniques dropped slowly within pH range 3.0-6.0; when pH was higher than 6.0, the rates of DPPH radical scavenging of theabrownin from tea samples produced by both new and traditional techniques in 2001 declined obviously, while the declining trend was not obvious in either the black tea or the Pu-erh tea produced by new technique in 2005. Under different theabrownin concentrations, the rates of DPPH radical scavenging of theabrownin solution made from tea piles with different times of mixture ascended as the concentration increased and the highest rate occurred in tea pile with four times of mixture, reaching up to 46.56%±0.88%; for tea samples stored for different years and produced by different techniques, the rates of DPPH radical scavenging of theabrownin rose gradually with the increase of the theabrownin concentration; the rate of radical scavenging of theabrownin in the black tea ascended obviously and that in Pu-erh tea was decreasing within the concentration range of 0.04 -0.06 mg/ml. At pH6.0, the DPPH radical scavenging ability of theabrownin in 0.1 mg/ml theabrownin solution and tea liquor containing 0.1mg/ml theabrownin from tea piles with different times of mixture ascended with the time of mixture; solution made from tea samples produced by different techniques in different years, the DPPH radical scavenging ability of theabrownin solution and tea liquor followed： Pu-erh tea produced by the new technique in 2001 ﹥ Pu-erh tea produced by the old technique in 2001﹥ Pu-erh tea produced by the new technique in 2005. And the DPPH radical scavenging ability of theabrownin in tea liquor containing 0.1 mg/ml theabrownin was higher than that in 0.1 mg/ml theabrownin Solution made from tea samples either with different times of mixture or produced by different techniques in different years. The above results indicated that many factor influenced the effects of theabrownin on eliminating DPPH radicals, including the time of fermentation, fermentation technique, years of storage, concentration and pH all had great influence on the effects of theabrownin on eliminating radicals. To ensure a good effect on scavenging radicals, it is better to prepare theabrownin at pH6.0 with concentration between 0.08 and 0.1 mg/ml for drinking. [Conclusion] Results of this study provide a basis for developing functional products of theabrownin from Pu-erh tea in the future.

Analysis of Monosaccharide Composition of Pu-erh Tea Polysaccaride by Pre-column Derivatization HPLC

[Objective] This study aimed to establish a pre-column derivatization HPLC method for the identification and analysis of monosaccharide composition of Pu-erh tea polysaccharide. [Method] Pu-erh tea polysaccharide was extracted using the wa- ter extraction method, further isolated and purified by DEAE cellulose-52 columns. The obtained tea polysaccharide and four components TPS1, TPS2, TPS3 and TPS, were first derived by 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone （PMP）, and then the PMP derivatives of monosaccharide were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatog- raphy （HPLC）. [Result] Pu-erh tea polysaccharide contained eight kinds of monosac- chaddes （mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, grucose, galactose, arabinose, fucose）, without xylose; so it was the same with TPS1; each of TPS2, TPS3 and TPS4 contained seven monosaccharides, while no fucose. [Conclusion] This method is simplified and rapid, which can be used to determine the monosac- charide composition of Pu-erh tea polysaccharide and monosaccharide content.

Characterization of aroma compounds of Pu-erh ripen tea using solvent assisted flavor evaporation coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-olfactometry

Pu-erh ripen tea becomes popular worldwide owing to its unique taste and aroma.In the present study,volatile compounds from Pu-erh ripen tea were extracted using a solvent assisted flavor evaporation(SAFE)and analyzed with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)and a gas chromatography olfactometry(GC-O).Results demonstrated that 58 major volatile compounds and 24 aroma active substances of Pu-erh ripen tea were identified by GC-MS and GC-O analysis.Among volatile compounds identified,methoxyphenyl compounds were considered as the dominate compounds in the aroma of Pu-erh ripen tea.Further investigation showed that 6 methoxybenzenes were responsible for the aging aroma in Pu-erh ripen tea;α-ionone,3,4-dimethoxytoluene,1,3-dimethoxybenzene,etc.were responsible for the wood-like aroma.Linalool,α-terpineol,α-ionone,β-ionone,and benzeneacetaldehyde were responsible for the floral odor.Compared the odor detection threshold(ODT)among the 8 methoxyphenyl compounds in water,1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene showed the highest ODT,followed by 3,4-dimethoxyphenol.1,3-dimethoxybenzene(105μg/L)and 1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-methylbenzene(100μg/L)were present at relatively low odor threshold values.The result indicated that methoxyphenyl compounds play a vital role in the unique flavor of Pu-erh ripen tea.

Reducing oxidative stress and hepatoprotective effect of water extracts from Pu-erh tea on rats with high-fat diet

Reducing oxidative stress and hepatoprotective effect of Pu-erh tea water extracts on rats fed with high-fat diet were researched for explaining health care of Pu-erh tea.Fifty SD rats were divided into five groups.The body weight was measured once a day.The malondialdehyde(MDA)and glucose(Glu)levels and the activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),nitric oxide synthase(NOS),and pyruvate kinase(PK)in serum were determined.Furthermore,the hepatic glycogen level(HGL)and the activities of hepatic total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were also measured after continuous administration for 12 weeks.The result demonstrated that Pu-erh extract caused the decreases in body weight,fat index,MDA and NOS levels,and the increases in hepatic T-SOD,CAT and GSH-Px activities,indicating that the extract may be due to inhibiting the increases of body weight and fat index,reducing oxidant stress state and inhibiting lipid peroxidation,thus decreasing the activities of ALT and AST,and protecting the liver in rat.Meanwhile,the extracts could increase the production of hepatic glycogen and the activity of PK,and reduce glucose level,protecting the liver from the diseases associated with type II diabetes.

Inhibitory Effects of Pu-erh Tea Leaves on Mouse Type IV Allergy

Pu-erh tea is one of post fermented tea manufactured through oxidative maturing by microorganisms. We investigated the preventive effects of pu-erh tea extract on oxazolone-induced type IV allergy in male (ICR) mice. Oral administration of 50 mg/kg water extract of pu-erh tea leaves resulted in significant preventive effects against mouse type IV allergy. The hydrophilic Theabrownin-like fraction (TBW-ND), with a high molecular weight of approximately 12,000 or higher, was prepared from pu-erh tea leaves by a solvent-extraction method, followed by Diaion HP-20 column chro-matography and dialysis. Oral and percutaneous administrations of TBW-ND at doses of 18.7 mg/kg and 0.037 mg/ear also resulted in significant preventive effects, which included preventing increases in levels of the proinflam-matory cytokine interleukin-12. The anti-allergic ingredients in TBW-ND were predicted to be highly complex compounds containing of polyphenols, polysaccharides and/or proteins. The results suggest pu-erh tea leaves could be a beneficial food for protecting against delayed-type allergy.

Detection of composition of functional component theabrownins in Pu-erh tea by degradation method

Habitual tea consumption can reduce the risk of ASCVD morbidity and mortality and all-cause mortality in China,and long-term adherence to this habit can provide greater protection.Pu-erh tea is one of the representatives of post-fermented teas,and the polymers in Pu-erh tea have anti-cancer and anti-hyperlipidemic activities,but their chemical composition is still unknown.In this study,the chemical composition of Pu-erh tea was investigated in detail and eight(1–8)known compounds were isolated.The polymers in Pu-erh tea were also degraded by thiol degradation,and the fragments of quercetin and(–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate were found in the thiol degradation products of Pu-erh tea polymers by UPLC observation and separation and purification.This is the first time that this fragment was obtained in Pu-erh tea polymer.

Anti-Obesity, Anti-Atherosclerotic and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Pu-Erh Tea on a High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rat Model

Pu-erh tea, a traditional Chinese beverage, has been believed to have many benefits to human health and without side effects. In this study, we systematically analyzed the main active components of Pu-erh tea and investigated its anti-obesity, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-oxidant effects using an obese rat model. Obesity was induced by feeding a high-fat diet and subsequently the experimental obese mice were fed with high-fat diet supplemented with low (2.5%), medium (5%) or high (7.5%) doses of Pu-erh tea powder for 6 weeks respectively. As result, the body weight gain of the rats was decreased by medium and high doses of Pu-erh tea treatments. Furthermore, the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and atherosclerosis index (AI) were significantly lowered by Pu-erh tea compared to the control group. Conversely, high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) level of the rats was significantly elevated by Pu-erh tea treatments. In addition, Pu-erh tea treatments increased the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxides (GSH-Px), whereas reduced the level of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) in obese rats. Collectively, our find-ings revealed that Pu-erh tea exerts comprehensive benefits in anti-obesity, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-oxidant effects, therefore can be used as a promising functional food in obesity management.

Pu-erh tea: A review of a healthful brew

Pu-erh tea has been used for thousands of years to treat metabolic diseases.Recognized in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic,a compendium kept by the first traditional Chinese practitioners,it is still highly valued for its hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects.This review reports the processing and bioactive components of pu-erh tea.Recent human and animal studies of pu-erh tea and its potential therapeutic mechanisms have also been summarized.The interaction of liver and gut microbiome regulates the puerh tea biotransformation and endogenous metabolism,and thus contributes to the health benefits.

Development of the fingerprints of crude Pu-erh tea and ripened Pu-erh tea by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）method to generate the fingerprints of crude Pu-erh tea（CPT）and ripened Pu-erh tea（RPT）is described.A suitable chromatographic system was established using a linear gradient elution with acetonitrile and water containing 0.6% formic acid as the mobile phase and a detection wavelength of 300 nm.HPLC analysis identified 24 common peaks among RPT and 21 common peaks among CPT.This study revealed that crude Pu-erh tea and ripened Pu-erh tea contained some similar major constituents,but with distinctive peaks,which may be caused by the difference in the fermentation process.This HPLC fingerprint method could be used to evaluate and authenticate crude Pu-erh tea and ripened Pu-erh tea.

Influence of the post-fermentation by four Aspergillus strains on the aroma of pu-erh tea

Aroma is one of the most important factors for the flavor, taste, and quality of pu-erh tea, and the post-fermentation process has an important influence on the aroma of pu-erh tea. In the present study, the influence of fungi fermentation on the flavor of pu-erh tea was investigated and compared. Volatile compounds from pu-erh tea fermented by four Aspergillus strains, including A. niger, A. oryzae, /1. awamori, and A. glaueus, were extracted and analyzed using ultrasound-assisted extraction-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （UAE-DLLME-GC-MS）, and a total of 63 volatile compounds were identified. In comparison with the sun-dried green tea, fermented pu-erh tea contained high levels of methoxyphenolic compounds, such as 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene, which was the most abundant one. Our results confirmed that the characteristic methoxyphenolic compounds were produced by the activity of Aspergillus during the post-fermentation process, and A. niger and A. awamori were the most important strains for the formation of aroma quality of pu-erh tea.

相同加工原料下的6类茶体外抗氧化性能比较

以春季茶树‘碧香早’的1芽2叶茶鲜叶为原料,选同一批次鲜叶采用蒸汽固样法将其制成固定样及加工成6类茶叶,并比较研究其体外抗氧化性能,以期为茶叶新产品开发及健康消费提供科学依据。结果表明,固定样及6类茶的还原能力和清除DPPH·、亚硝基、·OH及O2-·的能力均随茶汤浓度的增加而增强;固定样、绿茶、黄茶、黑茶、乌龙茶、白茶以及红茶对DPPH·的IC_(50)依次为0.017、0.019、0.019、0.020、0.021、0.022、0.038 mg(干茶浸出物)/mL,绿茶、固定样、乌龙茶、黑茶、白茶、黄茶和红茶对·OH的IC_(50)依次为1.438、1.695、2.988、4.163、4.606、4.881、6.847 mg(干茶浸出物)/mL,固定样、乌龙茶、黄茶、绿茶、白茶、黑茶和红茶对亚硝基的IC_(50)依次为1.285、1.401、1.514、1.525、1.847、2.146、5.163 mg(干茶浸出物)/mL。说明由相同原料加工而成的6类茶在浸泡相同质量干茶的条件下,因加工工艺不同而在体外抗氧化性能上存在差异,固定样及6类茶的抗氧化能力大小在总体上呈现不发酵茶(绿茶)>半发酵茶(乌龙茶)>全发酵茶(红茶)的趋势,其中以清除DPPH·的效果最好。

普洱茶对小鼠体重的控制作用研究

探讨普洱茶控制体重的作用,为普洱茶保健作用提供一定的理论依据。7组昆明种小鼠,每组20只,分别连续灌胃生理盐水(对照组)和不同剂量的普洱茶水浸提物30 d。按照小鼠体质量给予不同体积的受试物,自由摄食与饮水。每周称量小鼠体重1次。结果表明:3周后,与对照组相比,普洱茶(熟茶)高剂量组和普洱茶(生茶)中、高剂量组小鼠体重均有降低(P<0.05)。普洱茶(熟茶)和普洱茶(生茶)均具有显著地控制小鼠体重的作用。

电场作用对干仓普洱生茶品质的影响

为了探讨电场作用对干仓普洱生茶的影响,进行了电场对普洱茶汤品质的影响研究。结果表明:普洱茶汤经特种电场处理后,有助于普洱生茶的快速陈化过程,能改善和提升普洱生茶的品质。表现在加快了普洱茶汤的过滤速度,有效提高了普洱茶茶汤的透光性,使普洱茶的汤色更清亮,喝起来更甘甜圆润。

南非绿茶提取工艺研究

[目的]探索南非绿茶中茶多酚提取的工艺条件。[方法]通过单因素试验考察了茶水比、提取温度、提取时间和提取次数对茶多酚提取量的影响,经正交试验对提取工艺进行优化。[结果]试验表明,南非绿茶中茶多酚的最优提取工艺为:提取温度80℃、提取时间50 min、茶水比1∶80 g/ml,提取2次可提取茶多酚32.18 g/kg。[结论]研究可为南非绿茶提取工艺的深入研究提供参考,但仅以茶多酚一项指标作为优化目标有一定的局限性。

高压脉冲电场对普洱生茶香气和陈化时间的影响

采用非热处理技术生产云南普洱茶,研究高压脉冲电场(high voltage pulsed electricfield,HPEF)对云南普洱生茶香气品质和陈化时间的影响。以2015年-2017年的云南临沧普洱生茶为实验对象,采用HPEF技术对茶样进行处理,并运用气相色谱-质谱(gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS)和电子鼻对茶样香气品质进行检测。GC-MS联用技术分析结果显示HPEF对云南普洱生茶香气品质的提高为正向作用,再利用电子鼻检测经不同HPEF条件处理的茶样,运用Winmuster软件对处理前后的茶样香气进行主成分、线性判别分析、传感器贡献率分析和偏最小二乘法年份预测。结果表明,当电压18 kV、频率198.4 Hz、时间45 min时,对茶样的香气品质影响是最佳的;2015年茶样经条件I(18 kV/198.4 Hz/45 min)处理后,预测得到的年份为2011.2283年;2016年经条件G(18 kV/120.2 Hz/60 min)处理后,预测得到的年份为2013.2886年;2017年经条件C(12 kV/198.4 Hz/60 min)处理后,预测得到的年份为2012.8051年,说明HPEF处理也能缩短普洱生茶的陈化时间。本研究提供了一种提高云南普洱生茶香气品质的物理方法,为普洱生茶深加工提供了理论依据和技术参考。

Comparison of volatile profiles and bioactive components of sun-dried Pu-erh tea leaves from ancient tea plants on Bulang Mountain measured by GC-MS and HPLC

To explore the volatile profiles and the contents of ten bioactive components(polyphenols and caffeine) of sun-dried Pu-erh tea leaves from ancient tea plants on Bulang Mountain,17 samples of three tea varieties were analyzed by headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).A total of 75 volatile components were tentatively identified.Laomaner(LME),Laobanzhang(LBZ),and other teas on Bulang Mountain(BL) contained 70,53,and 71 volatile compounds,respectively.Among the volatile compounds,alcohols(30.2%-45.8%),hydrocarbons(13.7%-17.5%),and ketones(12.4%-23.4%) were qualitatively the most dominant volatile compounds in the different tea varieties.The average content of polyphenol was highest in LME(102.1 mg/g),followed by BL(98.7 mg/g) and LBZ(88.0 mg/g),while caffeine showed the opposite trend,27.3 mg/g in LME,33.5 mg/g in BL,and 38.1 mg/g in LBZ.Principal component analysis applied to both the volatile compounds and ten bioactive components showed a poor separation of samples according to varieties,while partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) showed satisfactory discrimination.Thirty-four volatile components and five bioactive compounds were selected as major discriminators(variable importance in projection(VIP)>1) among the tea varieties.These results suggest that chromatographic data combined with multivariate analysis could provide a useful technique to characterize and distinguish the sun-dried Pu-erh tea leaves from ancient tea varieties on Bulang Mountain.

An overview of Pu-erh tea and its health-promoting effects of lipid-lowering and anti-obesity

As a dark tea,Pu-erh tea(PET)is produced from sun-dried leaves of Camellia sinensis var.assamica mainly in Yunnan Province of China.Many microorganisms are involved in the fermentation of PET.Among them,Aspergillus niger is most important.It is believed that the longer the preservation period,the better is the quality and taste of PET,which is commercially available as loose,compressed or instant tea leaves.Chemical components of PET include flavones,flavanols,flavonols,phenolic acids,alkaloids and methylxanthines.In this overview,the lipid-lowering and anti-obesity effects of PET were discussed based on animal models and human trials,and our study provided some insights into possible mechanisms of bioactive compounds,such as theabrownin,catechins,lovastatin and gallic acid.Other bioactivities of PET and some information on Fuzhuan brick tea were also included.Sources of information cited were from Google Scholar,Pub Med,Pub Med Central,Science Direct,J-Stage,Pub Chem,Directory of Open Access Journals(DOAJ),and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI).