Determination of the Minerals of the Herbal Tea and Tea Green from Lippia multiflora

Abstract

This study aims to determine the mineral composition of green teas and herbal tea in the savannah tea plant. Samples of buds, young leaves and broadleaf stems were collected from wild plants of Lippia multiflora in three localities, including two from the Center (Yamoussoukro, Toumodi) and one from the northeast (Bondoukou) of Cote d’Ivoire. The lipid and ash contents were carried out by the AOAC method. The total protein and sugar contents were determined by the Kjeldahl and Agbo methods, respectively. Nine minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, manganese, zinc, copper and cadmium) were quantitated by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) from green teas (buds and young leaves) and herbal tea of Lippia multiflora. The results showed that ash levels (7.05% - 13.94%) and protein (6.22% - 9.97%) were high, however the lipid contents (1.01% - 2.98%) and total sugars (1.43% - 4.51%) are low. Majority of the minerals are calcium (2320.91 to 36150.10 mg/kg), potassium (2110.71 to 12174.67 mg/kg) and magnesium (3620.87 - 5870.46 mg/kg). Iron (52.55 to 483.11 mg/kg), sodium (35.66 to 469.16 mg/kg) and manganese (15.25 to 76.86 mg/kg) are represented in average proportions. There are small amounts of zinc (9.61 - 47.50 mg/kg), copper (5.66 - 8.71 mg/kg), and cadmium (0.17 - 1.49 mg/kg). Lippia multiflora herbal teas and green teas are low in fat, high in ash and are good sources of protein and minerals.