Data on quantification of PAHs and elemental content in dry Camellia sinensis and herbal tea

Nsikak U Benson,Omowunmi H Fred-Ahmadu

doi:10.1016/j.dib.2018.08.181

Abstract

Here we present data on potentially toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in commercially sold tea brands in Nigeria. The article provides data on the sequential extraction and the pseudo-total concentrations of eight metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in dry Camellia sinensis and herbal tea. The three-step Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) method and acid digestion with aqua regia were adopted for sequential and total metal extractions, respectively. The extraction of branded tea samples for PAHs analysis has been described in “Concentrations, sources and risk characterisation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in green, herbal and black tea products in Nigeria” [1] and “Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Occurrence and Toxicity in C. sinensis and Herbal Tea” [2]. Elemental and PAHs analyses of extracts were determined by Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (Agilent MP-AES 4100) and Agilent gas chromatograph 7890A coupled with flame ionization detector (FID), respectively.

Highlights

Data on quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and elemental content in dry Camellia sinensis and herbal tea Omowunmi H
Elemental and PAHs analyses of extracts were determined by Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (Agilent MP-AES 4100) and Agilent gas chromatograph 7890A coupled with flame ionization detector (FID), respectively
“Chemical speciation and characterization of trace metals in dry Camellia sinensis and herbal tea marketed in Nigeria” (Fred-Ahmadu et al, 2018, In press) [3]

Summary

Sample collection and preparation

Twenty-three (23) tea samples (including 11 green, 8 herbal and 4 black tea brands) were purchased from supermarkets in Lagos and Ogun states, Nigeria. Samples were weighed and oven-dried at 105 °C for 30 min. Bigelow Green Tea Gold blend Green Tea Heladiv Green Tea Lipton Green Tea (blackberry pomegranate) Lipton Green Tea (lemon and ginseng) Lipton Green Tea (red goji raspberry) Lipton Green Tea (jasmine passion with fruit) Lloyd Green Sense (aloe vera) Super blend Green Tea (vanilla) Twinings Pure Green Tea Ty-phoo Pure Green Tea Lipton Yellow Label Tea. Anti-Cancer Tea Anti-hypertensive Tea Joint Care Tea Kidney Flush Tea Moringa Herbal Tea Natural Liver Flush Tea Sahul Slim Herbal Tea Tranquilizing & Brain Nourishing Tea. China China China China Nigeria China India China was reduced and homogenized by coning and quartering, followed by milling in a clean porcelain mortar before sequential and pseudo-total extraction procedure (Table 2). Samples meant for PAHs analyses were not subjected to oven drying procedure

Sequential extraction

Acid digestion for pseudo-total elemental contents

Calibration curves

Instrumentation for PAHs analysis