VARIATIONS IN THE AMOUNTS OF INDIVIDUAL FLAVANOLS IN A RANGE OF GREENTEAS

The concentrations of the major tea flavanols in nine green teas from China and Japan have been investigated. Results show that epi-gallocat echin (EGC) is the most prevalent flavanol and not epi-gallocatechin g allate (EGCG) as previously thought. Studies of the equilibrium behavi our of extraction of tea flavanols and caffeine into aqueous media at 80-degrees-C and 60-degrees-C for one of the teas, Sen Cha Uji Tsuyu, indicate that extraction efficiencies are similar to that for extracti on of soluble components from black teas. These studies also support t he idea of EGC being the flavanol with the highest concentration. This is of relevance to the current interest in tea flavanols as antimutag enic agents in the treatment of cancers. From the flavanol content res ults there appears to be a correlation between the amount of flavanol and the price of the tea. It is possible that this might be used to ai d the pricing of green teas at auction.