A novel convenient process to obtain a raw decaffeinated tea polyphenol fraction using a lignocellulose column

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 May 7;51(10):3140-3. doi: 10.1021/jf0208738.

Abstract

Lignocellulose prepared from sawdust was investigated for its potential application in obtaining a raw decaffeinated tea polyphenol fraction from tea extract. Tea polyphenols having gallate residues, namely, (-)epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and (-)epicatechin gallate (ECg), were adsorbed on the lignocellulose column, while caffeine was passed through it. Adsorbed polyphenols were eluted with 60% ethanol, and the elute was found to consist mainly of EGCg and ECg. The caffeine/EGCg ratio was 0.696 before lignocellulose column treatment, but it became 0.004 after the column treatment. These results suggest that the lignocellulose column provides a useful and convenient process of purification of tea polyphenol fraction accompanied by decaffeination.

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine / analysis*
  • Caffeine / isolation & purification
  • Camellia sinensis / chemistry*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / analysis
  • Cellulose*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Flavonoids*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lignin*
  • Phenols / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Polymers / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Phenols
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polymers
  • lignocellulose
  • Caffeine
  • Catechin
  • Cellulose
  • Lignin
  • epicatechin gallate
  • epigallocatechin gallate