DEODORIZING MECHANISM OF (-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE AGAINST METHYL MERCAPTAN

The deodorizing mechanism of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), the main constituent of a green tea extract, against methyl mercaptan (CH3 SH) was investigated, EGCg showed deodorizing activity against CH3SH b y a chemical reaction between EGCg and CH3SH. The non-volatile reactio n products were identified to be compounds introducing a methylthio an d/or a methylsulfinyl group into the B ring of EGCg, and gaseous oxyge n was necessary for deodorizing activity. From these results, it was a ssumed that the deodorizing mechanism of EGCg was due to the addition of a methylthio group to the or tho-quinone generated by atmospheric o xygen, It was also found that secondary compounds produced by the reac tion between EGCg and CH3SH had a stronger deodorizing activity than t hat of EGCg itself.