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Epicatechin derivatives and fatty acid composition of a traditional product made in Sikkim from leaves of Camellia sinensis
Author(s) -
Katiyar Santosh K,
Bhatia Ashok K.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740600217
Subject(s) - camellia sinensis , chemistry , myristic acid , glycolipid , phospholipid , linoleic acid , palmitic acid , fatty acid , food science , camellia oleifera , polyphenol , biochemistry , theaceae , catechin , biology , botany , antioxidant , membrane
Abstract A traditional product of Camellia sinensis leaves was recorded in tribal areas of Sikkim State, India. The product was analysed for its epicatechin derivatives, and for its neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid contents together with their fatty acid compositions. (–)– Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) was the main polyphenolic constituent present in this traditional product, accounting for 742 g kg −1 of total epicatechin derivatives. Glycolipids, which account for 570 g kg −1 of total lipid, contained a significantly greater amount of linolenic acid (C 18: 3, 546 g kg −1 of glycolipid) than the neutral lipids or phospholipids. Palmitic (C 16:0) and linoleic (C18:2) acids were in greater proportion in the phospholipid fraction, while myristic (C14:0) and lauric (C12:0) were abundant in the neutral lipid. Since EGCG is a known antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic agent, this traditional tea product may have considerable pharmacological significance.