Electron spin resonance spectroscopic assessment of the antioxidant potential of teas in aqueous and organic media

Abstract

Electron spin resonance methodology has been used to assess the hydrogen-donating (antioxidant) ability of catechins and extracts of green and black tea to Fremy's radical and galvinoxyl radical in aqueous and organic solutions, respectively. Catechin flavanols accounted for 77–82% of the total antioxidant activity of green tea but only 47–58% of that of black tea. The radical quenching ability of the green tea was 21–24% more effective than that of the black tea in both aqueous and lipophilic systems. Epigallocatechin gallate was the most effective at reducing the two radical species, whereas epigallocatechin was least effective in the galvinoxyl/ethanol system, and catechin least effective in the Fremy's radical/water system. In a model system comprising a mixture of the flavanols in ethanolic or aqueous solution, in the same concentrations as they were present in the tea extracts, the antioxidant potential was a simple summation of the activity of the individual components indicating no synergistic or antagonistic side reactions. Results demonstrate that flavanol components of teas exhibit potent antioxidant activity in both aqueous and organic media. This will be of physiological relevance if such compounds partition into both the aqueous and lipid compartment of cells. © 1998 SCI.