Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Effect and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Korean Commercial Green, Puer, Oolong, and Black Teas

Abstract

The phenolic contents, antioxidant effects, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of hot water extracts prepared from various Korean commercial teas(green tea, puer tea, oolong tea, and black tea) were investigated. Total phenolic contents were in the range 72.03-85.62 mg/g. Flavonol contents of hot water extracts from green tea, puer tea, oolong tea, and black tea were 350.96, 254.17, 334.48, and 240.23 mg/100 g, respectively. Catechin contents were 2,920.35 mg/100 g in green tea, 1,016.23 mg/100 g in puer tea, 2,824.22 mg/100 g in oolong tea, and 1,006.51 mg/100 g in black tea. The highest caffeine content was in the green tea extract. All four extracts scavenged radicals in a concentration-dependent manner, and the green tea extract was the most potent in this regard. The highest reducing power was observed in the green tea extract. All four extracts exhibited considerable antioxidative activities in linoleic acid autoxidation, -carotene bleaching, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition assays; the effects were concentration-dependent and decreased in the order green tea > oolong tea > puer tea > black tea.