Effects of ultrasonic-assisted extraction on bioactive compounds,volatile flavors and antioxidant activities of vine tea water extracts

Background:Ampelopsis grossedentata,vine tea,which is the tea alternative beverages in China.In vine tea processing,a large amount of broken tea is produced,which has low commercial value.Methods:This study investigates the influence of different extraction methods(room temperature water extraction,boiling water extraction,ultrasonic-assisted room temperature water extraction,and ultrasonic-assisted boiling water extraction,referred to as room temperature water extraction(RE),boiling water extraction(BE),ultrasonic assistance at room temperature water extraction(URE),and ultrasonic assistance in boiling water extraction(UBE))on the yield,dihydromyricetin(DMY)content,free amino acid composition,volatile aroma components,and antioxidant properties of vine tea extracts.Results:A notable influence of extraction temperature on the yield of vine tea extracts(P<0.05),with BE yielding the highest at 43.13±0.26%,higher than that of RE(34.29±0.81%).Ultrasound-assisted extraction significantly increased the DMY content of the extracts(P<0.05),whereas DMY content in the RE extracts was 59.94±1.70%,that of URE reached 66.14±2.78%.Analysis revealed 17 amino acids,with L-serine and aspartic acid being the most abundant in the extracts,nevertheless ultrasound-assisted extraction reduced total free amino acid content.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated an increase in the diversity and quantity of compounds in the vine tea water extracts obtained through ultrasonic-assisted extraction.Specifically,69 and 68 volatile compounds were found in URE and UBE extracts,which were higher than the number found in RE and BE extracts.In vitro,antioxidant activity assessments revealed varying antioxidant capacities among different extraction methods,with RE exhibiting the highest DPPH scavenging rate,URE leading in ABTS•+free radical scavenging,and BE demonstrating superior ferric ion reducing antioxidant activity.Conclusion:The findings suggest that extraction methods significantly influence the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of vine tea extracts.Ultrasonic-assisted extraction proved instrumental in elevating the DMY content in vine tea extracts,thereby enriching its flavor profile while maintaining its antioxidant properties.

TEAD1/TEAD4基因多态性与非贲门胃癌变关系的研究

目的探讨TEA转录因子1(TEAD1)基因单核苷酸多态性(SNP)rs2304733、TEA转录因子4(TEAD4)SNPrs7135838和rs1990330与非贲门胃癌变发病风险的关系。方法采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测正常对照组血清样本中抗幽门螺杆菌(Hp)的特异性抗体,根据抗体滴度将470例正常对照组分为Hp感染阴性组(n=223)和阳性组(n=247)。在450例非贲门胃癌病例组和470例对照组中,采用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术对各SNP位点进行基因分型,采用非条件性Logistic回归评估各SNP位点与非贲门胃癌变发病风险的关系。结果TEAD1、TEAD4各SNP位点均与Hp感染没有关联;TEAD1 rs2304733与非贲门胃癌的发病风险相关,与携带TT基因型者相比,携带CT基因型及CC基因型者均增加了非贲门胃癌的发病风险(CTvsTT:OR=2.321,95%CI:1.690~3.188;CCvsTT:OR=5.140,95%CI:1.080~24.463);TEAD4 rs1990330与非贲门胃癌发病风险相关,与携带GG基因型者相比,携带GT基因型者增加了非贲门胃癌的发病风险(OR=2.405,95%CI:1.480~3.908);TEAD4 rs7135838与非贲门胃癌的发病风险无关联;TEAD1rs2304733、TEAD4 rs7135838以及rs1990330对非贲门胃癌发病风险存在交互作用(P<0.05)。结论在包头地区汉族人群中,TEAD1 rs2304733、TEAD4 rs1990330在Hp感染中不起主要作用,在非贲门胃癌发病风险中可能起一定作用;TEAD4 rs7135838在Hp感染以及非贲门胃癌发病风险中可能均不起主要作用;TEAD1 rs2304733、TEAD4 rs1990330对非贲门胃癌发病风险的协同效应最强,为最佳交互模型。

CircFoxo3调节miR-130a-5p/TEAD1轴对心力衰竭大鼠心肌细胞凋亡影响的实验研究

目的探讨环状RNA叉头框蛋白O3(CircFoxo3)调节miR-130a-5p/TEA域转录因子1(TEAD1)轴对心力衰竭(HF)大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响。方法将SD大鼠分为对照组、HF组、si-NC组、si-CircFoxo3组、agomir NC组、miR-130a-5p agomir组、si-CircFoxo3+antagomir NC组、si-CircFoxo3+miR-130a-5p antagomir组,每组18只。除对照组外,其他组大鼠均通过腹腔注射盐酸阿霉素的方法构建HF大鼠模型。建模成功后进行药物处理,每3 d给药一次,持续3周。应用反转录实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)法检测心肌组织中CircFoxo3、miR-130a-5p表达水平。应用彩色多普勒超声仪检测大鼠左室收缩末期内径(LVESD)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左室射血分数(LVEF)水平。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测大鼠血清人基质裂解素2(ST_(2))、N端脑钠肽前体(NT-pro BNP)水平。应用HE染色、Masson染色检测大鼠心肌组织病理变化和心肌纤维化情况。通过TUNEL染色检测心肌细胞凋亡水平。应用Western blot法检测大鼠心肌组织TEA域转录因子1(TEAD1)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)、裂解的天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3(cleaved caspase-3)蛋白表达水平。通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证CircFoxo3与miR-130a-5p、miR-130a-5p与TEAD1的关系。结果与对照组比较,HF组大鼠心肌组织病理损伤、心肌纤维化严重,LVESD、LVEDD水平上升,心肌组织CircFoxo3及TEAD1、Bax、cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平升高,血清ST_(2)、NT-pro BNP水平升高,心肌细胞凋亡率升高,LVEF、miR-130a-5p和Bcl-2蛋白水平降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与HF组、si-NC组比较,si-CircFoxo3组大鼠心肌组织病理损伤减轻,LVESD、LVEDD水平降低,心肌组织CircFoxo3及TEAD1、Bax、cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平降低,血清ST_(2)、NT-pro BNP水平降低,心肌细胞凋亡率降低,LVEF、miR-130a-5p及Bcl-2蛋白水平升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与HF组、agomir NC组比较,miR-130a-5p agomir组大鼠心肌组织病理损伤、心肌纤维化有所改善,LVESD、LVEDD水平降低,心肌组织TEAD1、Bax、cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平降低,血清ST_(2)、NT-pro BNP水平降低,心肌细胞凋亡率降低,LVEF、miR-130a-5p及Bcl-2蛋白水平升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与si-CircFoxo3组、si-CircFoxo3+antagomir NC组比较,si-CircFoxo3+miR-130a-5p antagomir组大鼠心肌组织病理损伤、心肌纤维化加剧,LVESD、LVEDD水平升高,心肌组织TEAD1、Bax、cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达水平升高,血清ST_(2)、NT-pro BNP水平升高,心肌细胞凋亡率升高,LVEF、miR-130a-5p、Bcl-2蛋白水平降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。CircFoxo3与miR-130a-5p、miR-130a-5p与TEAD1存在靶向关系。结论沉默CircFoxo3可能通过海绵化上调miR-130a-5p来抑制TEAD1表达,进而抑制HF大鼠心肌细胞凋亡。

Characterization of mulberry leaf instant tea and evaluation of its hypolipidemia effect via regulation of intestinal microbiota

The purpose of this study was to characterize mulberry leaf instant tea(MLIT)powder prepared from the'Longsang No.1'(Morus abla L.cv.Longsang 1)mulberry leaves in Heilongjiang Province(China)and assess its obesity-preventing/relieving effects.A total of 174 compounds including quercetin,chlorogenic acid,1-deoxyecomycin(1-DNJ)related to antihyperlipidemia effects were identified from the MLIT powder.MLIT treatment reversed the Lee's index,fat coefficient,and serum biochemical parameters in both the obesity relieving and obesity preventing mice fed with high-fat diet.In the obesity relieving experiment,the relative abundance of Desulfovibrio in mouse feces decreased after both 0.5%and 1%MLIT treatments.In obesity preventing experiments,mouse with different amount of MLIT treatments showed increased relative abundance of Akkermansia,Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus,while Deferribacteres,Desulfobacterota decreased.The beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract of mice treated with MLIT increased.This study proved that MLIT had antihyperlipidemia potential via modulating intestinal microbiota in mice.

Antibacterial mechanism of kojic acid and tea polyphenols against Escherichia coli O157:H7 through transcriptomic analysis

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one of the major foodborne pathogenic bacterial that cause infectious diseases in humans.The previous found that a combination of kojic acid and tea polyphenols exhibited better activity against E.coli O157:H7 than using either alone.This study aimed to explore responses underlying the antibacterial mechanisms of kojic acid and tea polyphenols from the gene level.The functional enrichment analysis by comparing kojic acid and tea polyphenols individually or synergistically against E.coli O157:H7 found that acid resistance systems in kojic acid were activated,and the cell membrane and genomic DNA were destructed in the cells,resulting in“oxygen starvation”.The oxidative stress response triggered by tea polyphenols inhibited both sulfur uptake and the synthesis of ATP,which affected the bacteria's life metabolic process.Interestingly,we found that kojic acid combined with tea polyphenols hindered the uptake of iron that played an essential role in the synthesis of DNA,respiration,tricarboxylic acid cycle.The results suggested that the iron uptake pathways may represent a novel approach for kojic acid and tea polyphenols synergistically against E.coli O157:H7 and provided a theoretical basis for bacterial pathogen control in the food industry.

The shaping of milk-flavored white tea:More than a change in appearance

Tea’s popularity and flavor are influenced by factors like cultivation and processing methods and shaping techniques also have an impact on tea flavor.This study employed targeted metabolomics and chemometrics to investigate how shaping techniques affect the flavor of milk-flavored white tea(MFWT).The results showed that the tea cake sample with the shortest pressing time(Y90)has the highest amino acid content and milky aroma intensity.There were variations in amino acids,catechins,and soluble sugars among MFWT samples with different shaping techniques.The total contents of amino acids and catechins in tea cake sample(Y90)were significantly lower than those in the loose tea sample(SC)and bundle-like tea sample(SG),while the total sugar content was significantly higher than that in SC(P<0.05).Additionally,the content of volatiles presenting milky aroma(VIP&OAV>1)in Y90 remained lower relative to SC and SG(P<0.05),but the proportion was not different from that in SC and SG,minimally affecting the overall flavor.The short-time pressing method might be suitable for mass production of MFWT.These findings provide insights into improving the tightness of the appearance of MFWT with minimal impact on tea flavor.

Effect of a Commercial Extract of Green Tea and a Pure Catechin on Two Veillonella strains

The catechin Epigallocatechin-3-O-Gallate (EGCG) which is found in of Green Tea extracts (GTE), displays a variety of microbicidal properties. It is largely believed that EGCG inhibits the growth of cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria. Objective: In this paper we compared the inhibitory activity of EGCG and a commercial GTE on the growth of Veillonella parvula. Chlorhexidine was used as positive control. Methodology: V. parvula ATCC 10790 and a clinical isolate obtained from a periodontal disease patient were cultured in the presence of EGCG or a commercial GTE, and the measurements of bacterial growth inhibition were compared to the values obtained with 0.12 and 0.2% chlorhexidine. Results: Chlorhexidine inhibited bacterial growth, however in contrast to a previous report, neither EGCG nor the GTE showed any effect on bacterial growth. Conclusions: The data show and confirm that chlorhexidine is a growth inhibitor of V. parvula while EGCG and GTE do not display such effect.

Duplicated chalcone synthase(CHS)genes modulate flavonoid production in tea plants in response to light stress

In tea plants,the abundant flavonoid compounds are responsible for the health benefits for the human body and define the astringent flavor profile.While the downstream mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis have been extensively studied,the role of chalcone synthase(CHS)in this secondary metabolic process in tea plants remains less clear.In this study,we compared the evolutionary profile of the flavonoid metabolism pathway and discovered that gene duplication of CHS occurred in tea plants.We identified three CsCHS genes,along with a CsCHS-like gene,as potential candidates for further functional investigation.Unlike the CsCHS-like gene,the CsCHS genes effectively restored flavonoid production in Arabidopsis chs-mutants.Additionally,CsCHS transgenic tobacco plants exhibited higher flavonoid compound accumulation compared to their wild-type counterparts.Most notably,our examination of promoter and gene expression levels for the selected CHS genes revealed distinct responses to UV-B stress in tea plants.Our findings suggest that environmental factors such as UV-B exposure could have been the key drivers behind the gene duplication events in CHS.

Towards a Climate Service for the Tea Industry:A Collaborative Approach between the UK and China

Tea is an important global commodity,with important tea-growing regions spanning across South America,Africa,and Asia,and burgeoning smaller-scale and artisanal tea production in the UK and Europe.In each of these regions,the quality and quantity of tea production,with their economic and social consequences,are highly sensitive to variations in the climate on both short-term weather,seasonal and climate change timescales.The provision of tailored climate information in a timely and accessible manner through the development,delivery and use of climate services can help tea-farmers and other relevant stakeholders better understand the impacts of climate variability and climate change on decision-making and a range of adaptive actions.This paper presents an overview of the Tea-CUP project(Co-developing Useful Predictions),a joint initiative between UK and Chinese partners,which aims to develop and implement solutions for improving robust decision-making.Co-production principles are core,ensuring that the resultant climate services are usable and useful;users'needs are met through close engagement and joint research and decision-making.The paper also reports on the exchange of knowledge and experiences,such as between tea growers in China and the UK,which has resulted from this collaborative work,fostering global knowledge sharing,enriching understanding,and driving innovation by integrating diverse perspectives and expertise from different countries.This is an unintended but valuable side-effect of the collaborative approach taken and highlights the benefits of a highly relational and multidisciplinary approach to climate services development that will inform future work in the field.

Carbonic anhydrase 2 mediates anti-obesity effects of black tea as thermogenic activator

Obesity is a metabolic disorder due to over-accumulation of adipose tissue and ultimately becomes a“disease”.Brown adipose tissue(BAT)thermogenesis and white adipose tissue(WAT)browning emerge as a potential strategy of anti-obesity by dissipating energy as heat.However,drugs based on adipose tissue thermogenesis have not been successfully approved yet.In current study,we found that black tea extract(BTE)obtained by patentauthorized manufacturing process prevented body weight gain as novel thermogenic activator with reduction of adiposity,improvement of adipose distribution,and glucose metabolism improvement in diet-induced obesity mice.Mechanismly,anti-obesity effect of BTE depends on promoting BAT thermogenesis and WAT browning with upregulation of uncoupling protein 1(UCP1),especially visceral adipose tissue(VAT)with browning resistance.Specifically,utilizing in silico approach of network pharmacology and molecular docking,we identified carbonic anhydrase 2(CA2)in nitrogen metabolism as anti-obesity target of BTE and further elucidated that protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathway linked CA2 and UCP1.Meanwhile gut microbiota regulation may prompt the CA2-dependent thermogenesis activation.Our findings demonstrated anti-obesity effect of BTE as thermogenic activator through CA2-mediated BAT thermogenesis and WAT browning via CA2-AKT-UCP1 signaling pathway,which could be developed as promising anti-obesity agent with good safety and efficacy.

Suppression of Cs FAD3 in a JA-dependent manner,but not through the SA pathway,impairs drought stress tolerance in tea

The growth and yield of tea plants are seriously limited by drought stress.Fatty acid desaturases(FADs)contribute to the mediation of membrane fluidity in response to different stresses,although the role ofω-3 FAD(Omega-3fatty acid desaturase)-mediated damage induced by drought stress in tea plants is poorly understood.In this study,drought stress significantly promoted the synthesis of C18:3(linolenic acid)and the expression level of CsFAD3.Yeast experiments further demonstrated that CsFAD3 can convert C18:2 to C18:3,and that the 35S:GFP-CsFAD3fusion protein was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum of Nicotiana benthamiana cells.CsFAD3-silenced tea leaves exhibited poor drought tolerance,with a lower F_(v)/F_(m)and a higher malondialdehyde(MDA)content than the control plants.However,transgenic 35S:CsFAD3 Arabidopsis plants showed the opposite phenotypes.In addition,the jasmonic acid(JA)content and the expression levels of CsLOX2,CsLOX4,CsAOS,CsAOC3 and CsOPR2 were significantly reduced in CsFAD3-silenced leaves under drought stress.However,no substantial difference in the salicylic acid(SA)content was detected under normal or drought conditions.An analysis of Atcoi1(JA receptor)or Atnpr1(SA receptor)mutant Arabidopsis plants in 35S:CsFAD3 backgrounds further revealed that knockout of Atcoi1impaired the drought-tolerant phenotypes of CsFAD3 overexpression lines.Therefore,this study demonstrated that CsFAD3 plays a crucial role in drought tolerance by mediating JA pathways.

Correlation and Pathway Analysis of the Carbon,Nitrogen,and Phosphorus in Soil-Microorganism-Plant with Main Quality Components of Tea(Camellia sinensis)

The contents of carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)in soil-microorganisms-plant significantly affect tea quality by altering the main quality components of tea,such as tea polyphenols,amino acids,and caffeine.However,few studies have quantified the effects of these factors on the main quality components of tea.The study aimed to explore the interactions of C,N,and P in soil-microorganisms-plants and the effects of these factors on the main quality components of tea by using the path analysis method.The results indicated that(1)The contents of C,N,and P in soil,microorganisms,and tea plants were highly correlated and collinear,and showed significant correlations with the main quality components of tea.(2)Optimal regression equations were established to esti-mate tea polyphenol,amino acid,catechin,caffeine,and water extract content based on C,N,and P contents in soil,microorganisms,and tea plants(R^(2)=0.923,0.726,0.954,0.848,and 0.883,respectively).(3)Pathway analysis showed that microbial biomass phosphorus(MBP),root phosphorus,branch nitrogen,and microbial biomass carbon(MBC)were the largest direct impact factors on tea polyphenol,catechin,water extracts,amino acid,and caffeine content,respectively.Leaf carbon,root phosphorus,and leaf nitrogen were the largest indirect impact factors on tea polyphenol,catechin,and water extract content,respectively.Leaf carbon indirectly affected tea polyphenol content mainly by altering MBP content.Root phosphorus indirectly affected catechin content mainly by altering soil organic carbon content.Leaf nitrogen indirectly affected water extract content mainly by altering branch nitrogen content.The research results provide the scientific basis for reasonable fertilization in tea gardens and tea quality improvement.

Pattern of Eye Diseases among Tea Workers

Background: Bangladesh’s tea industry is essential to the country’s economic expansion. Since tea workers in Bangladesh are marginalized within our community, they have limited access to comprehensive eye care services. Productivity and well-being are cornerstones of comprehensive health care strategy. Ocular disorders are influenced by life expectancy, sociodemographic status, and the epidemiological transition. In this context, the state of ocular health and the many eye illnesses remain to be significantly addressed. Purpose: To evaluate the pattern of eye diseases among tea workers in a tea estate of Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in Halda Valley Tea Estate, Nazirhat, Fatickchari, Chattogram, Bangladesh, under the supervision of the Department of Community Ophthalmology, BSMMU, following ethical clearance and approval by the IRB board of BSMMU. With informed written consent and approval from the authority of the tea estate, a total of 110 tea workers were recruited. Socio-demographic characteristics, ocular findings, and patterns of eye diseases were determined and recorded. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 39.60 ± 11.63 years. The maximum (58.1%) study participants were 31 - 50 years old, female (64.5%), illiterate (82.7%), and tribal (71.8%) indigenes. Eye diseases were found in 94.5% of workers. Presbyopia (28.2%), cataracts (27.3%), and refractive error (26.4%) were the most common. Tea workers with eye diseases were significantly older than those who did not have any eye diseases (40.20 ± 11.57 vs. 29.17 ± 7.31 years, p Conclusion: A significant number of tea workers had eye diseases, of which presbyopia, cataracts, and refractive error were the most common.

Junshanyinzhen tea extract prevents obesity by regulating gut microbiota and metabolic endotoxemia in high-fat diet fed rats

Obesity is associated with gut dysbiosis and metabolic endotoxin.Junshanyinzhen tea extract(JSTE)reduced fat accumulation and body weight in obese mice.However,the effects and mechanism of JSTE in preventing obesity were unclear.Therefore,we used different doses of JSTE(75,150 and 300 mg/(kg·day))to evaluate the effect on high-fat diet(HFD)-induced rats under 8 weeks of intervention.Here,our results showed that JSTE could significantly reduce body weight gain,blood lipid levels and fat accumulation,improve fatty damage in liver tissue(P<0.05).In addition,JSTE increased the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins(P<0.05),relieved metabolic endotoxemia(P<0.05)and chronic low-grade inflammation in HFD rats.Sequencing of fecal samples showed that JSTE could effectively reverse the microbial diversity and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes to normal levels in HFD-fed rats.Desulfovibrioceae and Erysipelotrichaceae,which are positively related to obesity,were decreased by JSTE intervention(P<0.05).while Bifidobacteriaceae,Bacteroidaceae,Akkermansia,and Clostridium,which are negatively related to obesity,were increased.Together,these results suggested that JSTE might effectively prevent obesity by modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis,intestinal barrier dysfunction,metabolic endotoxemia and chronic low-grade infl ammation in HFD-induced rats.

On-site rapid detection of multiple pesticide residues in tea leaves by lateral flow immunoassay

The application of pesticides (mostly insecticides and fungicides) during the tea-planting process will undoubtedly increase the dietary risk associated with drinking tea. Thus, it is necessary to ascertain whether pesticide residues in tea products exceed the maximum residue limits. However, the complex matrices present in tea samples comprise a major challenge in the analytical detection of pesticide residues. In this study, nine types of lateral flow immunochromatographic strips (LFICSs) were developed to detect the pesticides of interest (fenpropathrin, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, carbendazim, chlorothalonil, pyraclostrobin, and iprodione). To reduce the interference of tea substrates on the assay sensitivity, the pretreatment conditions for tea samples, including the extraction solvent, extraction time, and purification agent, were optimized for the simultaneous detection of these pesticides. The entire testing procedure (including pretreatment and detection) could be completed within 30 min. The detected results of authentic tea samples were confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), which suggest that the LFICS coupled with sample rapid pretreatment can be used for on-site rapid screening of the target pesticide in tea products prior to their market release.

The modulatory effect of oolong tea polyphenols on intestinal flora and hypothalamus gene expression in a circadian rhythm disturbance mouse model

The interaction between host circadian rhythm and gut microbes through the gut-brain axis provides new clues for tea polyphenols to improve host health.Our present research showed that oolong tea polyphenols(OTP)improved the structural disorder of the intestinal flora caused by continuous darkness,thereby modulating the production of metabolites related to pyruvate metabolism,glycolysis/gluconeogenesis,and tryptophan metabolism to alleviate the steady-state imbalance.After fecal microbiota transplantation from the OTP group,the single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that OTP significantly increased the number of hypothalamus cell clusters,up-regulated the number of astrocytes and fibroblasts,and enhanced the expression of circadian rhythm genes Cry2,Per3,Bhlhe41,Nr1d1,Nr1d2,Dbp and Rorb in hypothalamic cells.Our results confirmed that OTP can actively improve the intestinal environmental state as well as internal/peripheral circadian rhythm disorders and cognitive impairment,with potential prebiotic functional characteristics to notably contribute to host health.

Insight into the effect of geographic location and intercropping on contamination characteristics and exposure risk of phthalate esters(PAEs)in tea plantation soils

Phthalate esters(PAEs)are an emerging pollutant due to widespread distribution in environmental mediums that have attracted widespread attention over recent years.However,there is little information about tea plantation soil PAEs.A total of 270 soil samples collected from 45 tea plantations in the major high-quality tea-producing regions of Jiangsu,Zhejiang,and Anhui provinces in China were analyzed for seven PAEs.The detection frequency of PAEs in tea plantation soil was 100%.DBP,DEHP,and DiBP were the main congeners in tea plantation soil.The PAEs concentrations in the upper soil were significantly higher than those in the lower soil.The concentration of tea plantation soil PAEs in Jiangsu Province was significantly lower than those in Zhejiang and Anhui provinces.Intercropping with chestnuts can effectively reduce the contamination level of PAEs in tea plantation soil.Correlation analysis,redundancy analysis,partial correlation analysis,and structural equation modeling methods further confirmed the strong direct influence of factors such as chestnut–tea intercropping,temperature,and agricultural chemicals on the variation of PAEs in tea plantation soil.The health and ecological risk assessments indicated that non-carcinogenic risk was within a safe range and that there was a high carcinogenic risk via the dietary pathway,with DBP posing the highest ecological risk.

The 9th China-Mongolia-Russia Tea Road City Cooperation Conference Held in Hanchuan,Xiaogan City,Hubei Province

The 9th China-Mongolia-Russia Tea Road City Cooperation Conference(the Conference for short)was held from April 17 to 19 at Huanglong Lake International Conference Centre in Hanchuan,Xiaogan City,which is an important stop along the waterway of the tea road in Hubei Province.Themed Civilisation Exchanges and Mutual Learning for Win-Win City Cooperation,the Conference is on the list of the Multilateral Cooperation Deliverables of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.It is an important practice to implement the guiding principles of the keynote speech delivered by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the third BRF,as well as to carry forward the Deliverables of the BRF in a quality way.

Integration of 1H-NMR-Based Metabolomics Approach with Traditional Chinese Pulse Diagnosis to Evaluate the Qi-Enhancing Activity of Herbal Tea

Human metabolism is intricately linked to an individual’s health status. Regardless of living habits, it will be reflected in the metabolic characteristics of urine. The utilization of the 1H NMR-based metabolomics method has enabled examine the metabolomic changes in urine under various physiology conditions, providing valuable insights into metabolites. In this particular study, volunteers were divided into two groups based on the strength of their spleen pulses, using the pulse diagnosis method employed in traditional Chinese medicine. Subsequently, their urine samples were analyzed, revealing notable variances in urea, creatinine, citric acid, succinic acid, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), alanine, hippuric acid, and glycine between the two groups. Interestingly, individuals with weak spleen pulses showed significant improvements after consuming herbal tea. Furthermore, we conducted LC-MS analysis on herbal tea and performed adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity tests on the C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell line. The results indicated that within a reasonable concentration range, exposure to herbal tea led to an increase in the mitochondrial ATP production capacity of C2C12 cells. These findings shed light on the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis and urine metabolites, highlighting their potential as non-invasive and straightforward health assessment indicators. They can aid in the preliminary determination of necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to enhance overall bodily health.

Tea Production Response to Seasonal Rainfall Variability: Evidence from Rwanda

Tea is a very important cash crop in Rwanda, as it provides crucial income and employment for farmers in poor rural areas. From 2017 to 2020, this study was intended to determine the impact of seasonal rainfall on tea output in Rwanda while still considering temperature, plot size (land), and fertiliser for tea plantations in three of Rwanda’s western, southern, and northern provinces, western province with “Gisovu” and “Nyabihu”, southern with “Kitabi”, and northern with “Mulindi” tea company. The study tested the level of statistical significance of all considered variables in different formulation of panel data models to assess individual behaviour of independent variables that would affect tea production. According to this study, a positive change in rainfall of 1 mm will increase tea production by 0.215 percentage points of tons of fresh leaves. Rainfall is a statistically significant variable among all variables with a positive impact on tea output Qitin Rwanda’s Western, Southern, and Northern provinces. Rainfall availability favourably affects tea output and supports our claim. Therefore, there is a need for collaboration efforts towards developing sustainable adaptation and mitigation options against climate change, targeting tea farming and the government to ensure that tea policy reforms are targeted towards raising the competitiveness of Rwandan tea at local and global market.