Characterisation of principal chemical components of Nigerian tea clones using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

摘要

Purpose To characterise tea clones obtained from Mambilla Highland Nigeria for polyphenols including catechins, EGC, EGCG, EC, ECG and caffeine. Methodology Ten (10) clonal genotypes of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze grown in Nigeria were analysed for epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechingallate (ECG), epicatechin (EC) and caffeine using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Fresh apical buds and a leaf were harvested, oven dried at 60oC to %5 moisture, finely size reduced and extracted using water-acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) for 40 min at room temperature. HPLC analysis of catechins was carried out using Agilent Technologies 1120LC compact series, German and Japan. The system comprises a U.V-Vis detector and Hp computer system. Concentrations of catechins of different clonal tea were determined. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS 17.0 version. Findings There were significant differences (p ＜0.05) in all five components, among the 10 clones analysed. The range of values obtained for the chemical components EGCG, EGC, EC, ECG and caffeine content were: ,0.16 ± 64.75 - 1.00 ± 11.78 ± 0.61 ,0.22 ± 1.25 - 0.08 ± 0.09 4.66 - 0.30 ± 1.06 ,0.04 ± 6.67 -0.02 0.16 ± and 0.02 ± 2.17 - 0.02 ± 0.60 (mg/g) respectively. Practical implications This study confirmed the quality characteristics of tea clones available in Nigeria for green tea production. Originality/value The results revealed that tea clonal materials can be good raw materials for green tea production because the values obtained were within the ISO standard chemical qualities of tea clones meant for green tea production.