Optimum conditions for the water extraction of L-theanine from green tea

Theanine is a unique non-protein amino acid found in tea (Camellia sinensis). It contributes to the favourable umami taste of tea and is linked to various beneficial effects in humans. There is an increasing interest in theanine as an important component of tea, as an ingredient for novel functional foods and as a dietary supplement. Therefore, optimal conditions for extracting theanine from tea are required for the accurate quantification of theanine in tea and as an efficient first step for its purification. This study examined the effects of four different extraction conditions on the yield of theanine from green tea using water and applied response surface methodology to further optimise the extraction conditions. The results showed that temperature, extraction time, ratio of water-to-tea and tea particle sizes had significant impacts on the extraction yield of theanine. The optimal conditions for extracting theanine from green tea using water were found to be extraction at 80 °C for 30 min with a water-to-tea ratio of 20:1 mL/g and a tea particle size of 0.5-1 mm.     

Simultaneous determination of eight alkaloids and oleandrin in herbal cosmetics by dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

We utilized ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and dispersive solid‐phase extraction to develop a new method for the detection of nine analytes (scopolamine, cephaeline, strychnine, hyoscyamine, brucine, hydrastine, ajmalicine, colchicine, and oleandrin) in herbal cosmetics. Acetonitrile/water and 2‐propylaminoethylamine were used to disperse and purify during the dispersive solid‐phase extraction step. The analytes were separated by a Waters UPLC HSS T3 column and detected through electrospray ionization source in the positive mode with multi‐reaction monitoring conditions. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.2–100.0 μg/L with the correlation coefficients higher than 0.995. The method limit of quantitation (S/N = 10) were 5.0 μg/kg for oleandrin and 1.0 μg/kg for the other eight alkaloids. The mean recoveries at three spiked concentration levels of 1.0–10.0 μg/kg were in the range of 86.9–116.5% with the intra‐day relative standard deviations (n  = 6) ranging from 2.4 to 8.8%, and inter‐day relative standard deviations ranging from 2.7 to 5.7%. This method is accurate, simple and rapid, and has been applied to the quality supervision of herbal cosmetics in Guangzhou.     

Simultaneous Determination of Five Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Two Glucocorticoids in Adulterated Traditional Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Rheumatism

The adulteration of traditional herbal medicines (THMs) with synthetic drugs is prevalent and represents a serious risk for public health. A rapid and novel reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of five nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and two glucocorticoids in THMs for rheumatoid treatment. Glipizide was used as the internal standard (IS). The separation was completed on a C₁₈ column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and a buffer solution containing 10 mM ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid with a gradient elution. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r ² > 0.9996), and the recoveries of the seven analytes were in the range of 96.94%–105.37%. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was developed to confirm the identity of the adulterants. The proposed method was applied to identify and determine the five NSAIDs and two glucocorticoids in THMs for rheumatism.     

A new anti-proliferative acylated flavonol glycoside from Fuzhuan brick-tea

Fuzhuan brick-tea (FBT) is unique for a fungal fermentation stage in its manufacture process and is classified in dark tea. A new acylated flavonol glycoside, kaempferol 3-O-[E-p-coumaroyl-(→2)][α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)][α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside, which was trivially named as camellikaempferoside A (1), was isolated from FBT along with camelliquercetiside C (2). Their structures were unambiguously elucidated by combination of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 1 showed anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 and MDA–MB-231 cells with IC₅₀ values of 7.83 and 19.16 μM, respectively.     

Determining multi‐pesticide residues in teas by dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with speed‐regulated directly suspended droplet microextraction followed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, an effective speed‐regulated directly suspended droplet microextraction method was developed to condense pesticide residues from teas through dispersive solid‐phase extraction prior to analysis by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The extractant was intentionally dispersed into the sample solution in the form of globules through high‐speed agitation. This procedure increases the contact area between the binary phases and shortens the distribution equilibrium time. The fine globules reassembled by decelerating stirring speed, the extractant could be taken out for gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Recovery studies were performed under optimized extraction conditions by using matrix blanks fortified with pesticides at three concentrations (10, 50, and 100 µg/kg). Over 87% of the recoveries for the analytes in four tea matrices were acceptable given their recovery ranges of 70–120% and relative standard deviations of ≤20%. The limits of quantification of most pesticides were lower than 10 µg/kg and thus satisfied the requirements for maximum residue levels prescribed by the European Community. A total of 38 tea samples from local markets were analyzed by using the proposed method. Results showed that chlorpyrifos was the most frequently detected pesticide in teas. The method is a potential choice for the routine monitoring of pesticide residues in complex matrices.     

MAK-04型粘弹谱仪高频段相位角度误差故障分析与排除

介绍了法国METRAVIB公司MAK-04型粘弹谱仪在测试过程中关于高频相位角校准出现较大偏差的原因分析及解决过程.     

单柱离子色谱法测定茶叶中草酸根和硫酸根的研究

本文研究单柱离子色谱分离测定茶叶中微量草酸根和硫酸根的方法。样品水浸泡，酸化液。上ＳｈｉｍＰａｒｓｋＩＣ－Ａ＿２柱分离，用２．０ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ￣（－１）Ｈ－２Ｃ＿８Ｏ＿４／１．９ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ￣（－１）Ｔｒｉ淋洗液洗脱，电导检测器检测，检测灵敏度为１．６Ｓ／ｃｍ，最低检出限０．０５μｇ／ｍＬ；线性范围Ｌ；相对标准偏差１．０６％；平均回收车９８．７２％９７．８８／。该法简便、快速、准确、灵敏、选择性好。     

应用超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱建立茶叶中农药残留的筛查与确证方法

基于超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱(UPLC-QTOF-MS),使用UNIFI软件建立91种农药残留的筛查与确证方法,进行定性方法验证并应用于流通市场中茶叶的筛查检测。通过对收集的农药认证标准物质(CRM)分析,构建91种农药化合物的质谱数据库。样品经乙腈提取,固相萃取柱净化,Acquity BEH C18色谱柱分离,在MS^E模式下进行全信息采集(ESI+), UNIFI软件对数据进行匹配分析。设置保留时间最大偏差为±0.1 min,精确质量偏差阈值为±5×10^-6,可识别加合物形式包括[M+H]⁺、[M+Na]⁺、[M+K]⁺、[M+NH₄]⁺。参照SANTE/11813/2017指南进行定性方法学验证。在21份茶叶样品中添加混合标准溶液至4个水平(0.01、0.05、0.10、0.20 mg/kg),确定每种农药在茶叶样品中的筛查检出限(SDL),共评估了1 911种农药/样品组合。发现有66种农药的SDL为0.01 mg/...     

Preparation of Catechin Nanoemulsion from Oolong Tea Leaf Waste and Its Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Cells DU-145 and Tumors in Mice

Anti-cancer activity of catechin nanoemulsions prepared from Oolong tea leaf waste was studied on prostate cancer cells DU-145 and DU-145-induced tumors in mice. Catechin nanoemulsions composed of lecithin, Tween-80 and water in an appropriate proportion was prepared with high stability, particle size of 11.3 nm, zeta potential of −67.2 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 83.4%. Catechin nanoemulsions were more effective than extracts in inhibiting DU-145 cell growth, with the IC₅₀ being 13.52 and 214.6 μg/mL, respectively, after 48 h incubation. Furthermore, both catechin nanoemulsions and extracts could raise caspase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities for DU-145 cell apoptosis, arresting the cell cycle at S and G2/M phases. Compared to control, catechin nanoemulsion at 20 μg/mL and paclitaxel at 10 μg/mL were the most effective in reducing tumor volume by 41.3% and 52.5% and tumor weight by 77.5% and 90.6% in mice, respectively, through a decrease in EGF and VEGF levels in serum.     

采用实时直接分析质谱法原位快速鉴别茶叶

采用近年来发展迅速的常温常压离子化技术——实时直接分析质谱法,建立了对茶叶中主要成分如茶氨酸、咖啡碱等的快速测定方法,通过特征的质谱信号离子,实现了对不同茶叶的快速鉴别。实时直接分析质谱法在大气压下进行,无需对茶叶进行任何的样品处理,大大缩短了分析时间,实现了原位、快速、准确且高通量的检测。