Tea Flowers Research Articles

Saponins Extracted from Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Flowers Induces Autophagy in Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Tea flower saponins (TFS) possess effective anticancer properties. The diversity and complexity of TFS increases the difficulty of their extraction and purification from tea flowers. Here, multiple methods including solvent extraction, microporous resin separation and preparative HPLC separation were used to obtain TFS with a yield of 0.34%. Furthermore, we revealed that TFS induced autophagy—as evidenced by an increase in MDC-positive cell populations and mCherry-LC3B-labeled autolysosomes and an upregulation of LC3II protein levels. 3-MA reversed the decrease in cell viability induced by TFS, showing that TFS induced autophagic cell death. TFS-induced autophagy was not dependent on the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway. TFS-induced autophagy in OVCAR-3 cells was accompanied by ERK pathway activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This paper is the first report of TFS-mediated autophagy of ovarian cancer cells. These results provide new insights for future studies of the anti-cancer effects of TFS.

PENGARUH SUHU DAN LAMA PENGERINGAN TERHADAP KARAKTERISTIK TEH BUNGA TELANG (Clitoria ternatea L.)


 
 
 This study was conducted to determine the effect of drying temperature and time on the characteristics of blue pea flower tea and obtain drying temperature and time that produce blue pea flower tea with the best characteristics. The experimental design used was a factorial Randomize Block Design consisting of 2 factors: the first factor was drying temperature, namely 50oC, 60oC, and 70oC and the second factor was drying time, namely 3 hours, 3.5 hours, and 4 hours. The treatment was repeated 2 times to obtain 18 experimental units. The data obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and if the treatment had significant effect followed by Duncan test. The results showed that interaction between drying temperature and time had a significant effect on water content, extract content, total phenol, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and antioxidant activity. Drying at a temperature of 50oC for 4 hours was produced blue pea flower tea with the highest antioxidant activity (IC50) of 128.25 ppm, water content of 10.18%, extract content of 51.60%, total phenol of 515.48 mg/100g, flavonoids of 23.99 mg/100g, and anthocyanin of 249.69 mg/100g.
 
 

Standardized Saponin Extract from Baiye No.1 Tea (Camellia sinensis) Flowers Induced S Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis via AKT-MDM2-p53 Signaling Pathway in Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Ovarian cancer is considered to be one of the most serious malignant tumors in women. Natural compounds have been considered as important sources in the search for new anti-cancer agents. Saponins are characteristic components of tea (Camellia sinensis) flower and have various biological activities, including anti-tumor effects. In this study, a high purity standardized saponin extract, namely Baiye No.1 tea flower saponin (BTFS), which contained Floratheasaponin A and Floratheasaponin D, were isolated from tea (Camellia sinensis cv. Baiye 1) flowers by macroporous resin and preparative liquid chromatography. Then, the component and purity were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS/MS. This high purity BTFS inhibited the proliferation of A2780/CP70 cancer cells dose-dependently, which is evidenced by the inhibition of cell viability, reduction of colony formation ability, and suppression of PCNA protein expression. Further research found BTFS induced S phase cell cycle arrest by up-regulating p21 proteins expression and down-regulating Cyclin A2, CDK2, and Cdc25A protein expression. Furthermore, BTFS caused DNA damage and activated the ATM-Chk2 signaling pathway to block cell cycle progression. Moreover, BTFS trigged both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis—BTFS up-regulated the expression of death receptor pathway-related proteins DR5, Fas, and FADD and increased the ratio of pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family. BTFS-induced apoptosis seems to be related to the AKT-MDM2-p53 signaling pathway. In summary, our results demonstrate that BTFS has the potential to be used as a nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Industrial applications of selected JFS articles

Industrial applications of selected <i>JFS</i> articles

Effect of long-term consumption of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) flower polysaccharides on maintaining intestinal health in BALB/c mice.

Polysaccharides have various health-promoting functions. However, dietary polysaccharides cannot be digested by the human alimentary tract, thus the gut is the most important location where polysaccharides play their role. The effect of polysaccharides from tea (Camellia sinensis L.) flower (TFPS) on intestinal health was investigated in the present study. TFPS with the molecular weight of 1,316.29kDa was prepared, and twenty 6-week-old BALB/c male mice were randomly allotted to a chow diet (normal control group, NC group) or with 200mg/kg (body weight)/day of TFPS for 13 weeks (n = 10 each). Histomorphology observation of jejunum and colons showed that TFPS maintained the adequate gut barrier. qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of colonic tight junction proteins of claudin1 (1.29±0.15compared with 1.00±0.13, P <0.05) and claudin5 (2.91±0.44compared with 1.00±0.27, P <0.01) at mRNA level with a significant difference between TFPS supplement or not, while the expression of TLR4 and TNF-α mRNA was not changed statistically. 16S rDNA amplicons sequencing was applied to measure the compositions of gut microbiota from feces of mice. TFPS treatment exhibited similar relative abundances in Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes; however, it decreased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and increased that of Lactobacillus compared with the NC group. The contents of short-chain fatty acids after TFPS supplementation, both in cecal contents and feces, were significantly higher than those of the NC group. Besides, TFPS significantly increased IgA production. These results suggest that TFPS is beneficial to intestinal health and can improve intestinal adaptive immune tolerance. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Dietary polysaccharides improve human intestinal health. Understanding the effect of TFPS, safe and healthy food components, on gut health increases the likelihood that TFPS will be developed as a functional food.

Prebiotics effects in vitro of polysaccharides from tea flowers on gut microbiota of healthy persons and patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Polysaccharides from the flowers of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plant (TFPS) were considered as potential functional components mainly playing the role in the distal intestines. In the present study, effects of TFPS on compositions of gut microbiota of feces from healthy persons and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were investigated in vitro. Microbial communities in normal feces were more diverse than those in IBD feces. After fermentation of TFPS for 24 h under simulated anaerobic conditions, significant changes were observed in the composition of intestinal microbes (enhanced the relative abundances of Klebsiella, Dialister, Megasphaera, Collinsella, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while decreased Prevotella, Clostridium XlVa, Alistipes, Clostridium XlVb, Akkermansia, Ruminococcus, Butyricimonas, Clostridium XVIII, Ruminococcus and Butyricicoccus for the normal feces; increased Escherichia/Shigella, Enterococcus, Collinsella, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while decreased Enterobacter, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Clostridium XlVa, Megasphaera, Roseburia, Granulicatella, Akkermansia and Fusobacterium for the IBD feces) and their metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (from 4.54 ± 0.43 to 12.88 ± 1.59 mM for the normal feces and from 5.21 ± 0.51 to 7.61 ± 0.81 mM for the IBD feces). The results illustrated that TFPS had probiotics promoting effect on the normal and IBD intestinal environments, however, might have a pro-inflammatory effect on IBD.

울릉도와 독도의 야생화를 활용한 꽃차개발과 치유농업 관광상품화 전략

야생화는 구속되어져 있지 않은 생명력과 함께 자유분방함 속에서도 질서와 조화를 지닌 존재이며, 우리 국민들의 일상 속에서 정신적 위안을 제공한다. 이러한 관점에서 본 연구자는 울릉도ㆍ독도의 야생화를 다양하게 활용하는 방안을 제시하는 것을 연구목적으로 하였다. 특히, 그 중에서 꽃차 개발과 치유농업과 연계한 관광상품화 방안을 제시하였다. 소박하면서 은은한 모습으로 자연과 어우러져 아름다운 경치를 만들어내는 울릉도ㆍ독도의 야생화를 활용하는 것을 고려하였다. 이를 통해 꽃차를 개발하고 치유농업과 연계하면 삭막해져가는 현대 사회의 관광객들에게 심리적 위안을 줄 수 있는 휴식처와 같은 공간을 제공할 수도 있다. 또한, 울릉도ㆍ독도가 지니고 있는 우리 사회에서의 역할을 극대화 할 수 있는 기회도 만들 것이다. 이러한 상황에서 추진된 본 연구는 우리 사회 전반의 현상들이 ‘웰빙’과 ‘힐링’이라는 시대적 흐름에 맞추어 자연을 소재로 한 연구들이 많아지고 있는 추세에 힘입어 이루어졌다. 특히, 야생화 라는 소재에 초점을 두고 이를 꽃차로 개발하고 치유농업으로까지 발전시켜 관광상품화 하는 방안을 제시하였다. 본 연구는 산업 개발에 밀려 점차 삭막해져가는 현대 사회 속에 연약해 보이지만 동시에 강인한 생명력을 지니고 있는 아름다운 한국의 야생화를 주요 연구대상으로 하였다. 그중에서도 울릉도/독도의 야생화 이미지를 꽃차, 치유농업, 관광상품의 단계로까지 개발하고자 하였다. 연구의 내용으로는 첫째, 울릉도ㆍ독도에 자생하는 야생화에 관한 고찰이었다. 즉, 야생화에 대한 일반적 개념과 활용범주를 알아보았다. 둘째, 치유농업의 개념과 이를 관광상품과 연계하는 방안을 고찰하였다. 이를 통해 울릉도ㆍ독도의 야생화를 활용한 꽃차 개발과 치유농업 관광 상품화 방안을 제시하였다. 첫째, 울릉도와 독도의 야생화와 꽃차 개발 관련 연구 기반의 조성이다. 둘째, 꽃차 개발이 가능한 울릉도와 독도의 야생화 관련 연구의 지원 강화이다. 셋째, 울릉도와 독도의 치유농업 관광상품화에 기여할 관련 연구의 검토이다. 넷째, 꽃차 개발과 치유 농업 관광상품화의 연계성 강화로 상품 가치의 극대화이다. 울릉도ㆍ독도의 야생화가 관광객들에게 건강하고 맛있는 기쁨을 주는 꽃차로 변신하고, 치유농업 프로그램으로 행복감을 주면서 더불어 울릉도 농어가(農漁家)의 안정적인 소득확대와 지역경제 활성화에 기여하고, 지방자치단체와 기업의 동반성장을 이루는 대표적 사례가 될 것이라는 점에서 본 연구는 울릉도ㆍ독도 지역의 야생화를 활용한 더욱더 다양한 치유농업 관광 상품화 전략을 고려하고자 한다. 이를 위해 본 연구는 자료수집 방법으로 기존 선행연구들이 분석한 을릉도·독도 야생화 관련 연구논문, 각종 문서와 자료를 활용하였다. 특히, 울릉도ㆍ독도 지역 야생화 관련 정책보고서, 정기간행물, 단행본, 통계자료, 신문기사 등을 참고하여 탐색적 으로 문헌고찰하였다. 울릉도·독도관광 활성화 및 독도의 실효적 지배를 공고히 하기 위한 평화적 갈등관리 방안으로서 크게 기여할 수 있는 야생화 관련 연구에 기여할 시사점을 제공한 다는 측면에서 본 연구는 우리나라 고유의 영토인 울릉도ㆍ독도의 야생화를 활용한 관광상품화 전략을 심도 있게 분석하는데 집중하였다.

Components identification and nutritional value exploration of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) flower extract: Evidence for functional food

Camellia sinensis L., its fresh leaves and buds are used to make tea, is an important industrial crop with a long history. However, less attention has been paid to tea flowers. Indeed, tea flower extract (TFE) is a rich source of functional molecules, but its nutritional value remains unclear. This study, from the perspective of “whole food”, aimed to investigate the composition of TFE and further explore its possible health-promoting effects on cyclophosphamide-induced mice. It was found that TFE was mainly composed of carbohydrates (34.02 ± 1.42%), phenolic compounds (11.57 ± 0.14%), crude proteins (27.72 ± 3.07%) and saponins (2.81 ± 0.00%). Supplementation of TFE at 200 mg/kg·BW/d regulated intestinal homeostasis by improving the intestinal barrier, alleviating dysbacteriosis (reverse 44 of 68 disordered genera), stimulated immunoreactions with significant enhancement of serum TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-6. Furthermore, TFE could improve the liver function through decreasing the hepatic malondialdehyde and aminotransferase levels and increasing the levels of catalase, myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione. Notably, the ameliorating effects of TFE on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and the hepatic injury were associated with its modulation of gut microbiota. The results provide the evidence for the application of tea flower as potential functional food.

Comparison of phenolic substances and antioxidant activities in different varieties of chrysanthemum flower under simulated tea making conditions

Chrysanthemum flowers are rich in phenolic substances. The chrysanthemum flower tea (CT) obtained by simulating the process of hot water brewing as the research object and 80% methanol aqueous extract (ME) as the controls to explore the composition of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of five varieties of chrysanthemum flowers including Xueju, Taiju, Hangbaiju, Gongju and Jinzhanju. Nine phenolic compounds including p-hydroxybenzoic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and sinapic acid were initially identified and quantified by using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). The content of catechin in Xueju, Taiju, Hangbaiju, Gongju and Jinzhanju was 45.6, 50.9, 51.8, 55.0 and 53.2 µg/g, respectively, which is the highest among the nine monomeric phenolic compounds. The Xueju variant had the largest total phenolic content of 123.7 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and total flavonoid content of 92.5 catechin equivalent (CE)/g when compared to other cultivars, which was also consistent with the results from the HPLC-DAD measurements. After 15 min of simulated brewing, the DPPH radical eliminating ability of different varieties of CT was higher than that of the ME which corresponded with the FRAP results. The process of tea making improves the bioactive component and antioxidant activity of the chrysanthemum flower.

Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Putative Genes Involved in Anthocyanin Accumulation and Coloration in White and Pink Tea (Camellia sinensis) Flower.

A variant of tea tree (Camellia sinensis (L.)) with purple buds and leaves and pink flowers can be used as a unique ornamental plant. However, the mechanism of flower coloration remains unclear. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of coloration, as well as anthocyanin accumulation in white and pink tea flowers, metabolite profiling and transcriptome sequencing was analyzed in various tea flower developmental stages. Results of metabolomics analysis revealed that three specific anthocyanin substances could be identified, i.e., cyanidin O-syringic acid, petunidin 3-O-glucoside, and pelargonidin 3-O-β-d-glucoside, which only accumulated in pink tea flowers, and were not able to be detected in white flowers. RNA-seq and weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed eight highly expressed structural genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, and particularly, different expression patterns of flavonol synthase and dihydroflavonol-4-reductase genes were observed. We deduced that the disequilibrium of expression levels in flavonol synthases and dihydroflavonol-4-reductases resulted in different levels of anthocyanin accumulation and coloration in white and pink tea flowers. Results of qRT-PCR performed for 9 key genes suggested that the expression profiles of differentially expressed genes were generally consistent with the results of high-throughput sequencing. These findings provide insight into anthocyanin accumulation and coloration mechanisms during tea flower development, which will contribute to the breeding of pink-flowered and anthocyanin-rich tea cultivars.

Genetic improvement of bougainvillea in Indian scenario - A review

Bougainvillea is a native of South America and it is a popular plant all over the world with tropical and warm climates. It is a thorny and woody plant having different coloured bracts viz., white, pink, purple, red, orange, yellow etc. Among the different species of Bougainvillea, Bougainvillea glabra and B. spectabilis are most popular across the world. Bougainvillea plants provide colour to the garden when the flowering of winter season annuals ceases and the blooming of summer annuals or other ornamental plants is yet to arrive. The ability of bougainvillea to grow under highly polluted conditions like traffic islands, roadsides and around industries has made it popular among the planners and architects. The plants can be grown as climbers by training them on walls of house or any building, parks, farms garden, open spaces and on arches or pergola or on a tree. The edible flowers of Bougainvillea are frequently used for the preparation of salads and flower teas in different parts of the world. The floral bracts are the rich source of betalain pigments particularly betacyanin which can be exploited as a natural colorant in food industries. Although, Bougainvillea has originated in South America, but approximately 50% of the present day cultivars were evolved and developed in India. The Division of Floriculture and Landscaping of IARI is a pioneering centre of Bougainvillea and have a good collection of germplasm of bougainvilleas. Besides, NBRI, Lucknow; IIHR, Bangalore; CAZRI, Jodhpur and BARC, Mumbai have contributed significantly in breeding of Bougainvillea. Division of Floriculture and Landscaping IARI, New Delhi has been recognized as the International Registration Authority for Bougainvilleas by Royal Horticultural Society, U.K, since, 1966 and again during the recent meeting of 2007 held at Wageningen, The Netherlands. The division is one of the major repository centre and more than 100 cultivars of Bougainvilleas are conserved here with different colour, thorny, thornless, variegated, bicoloured, multibracted etc. The varieties evolved at IARI include Dr. R.R. Pal, Stanza, Summer Time, Sonnet, Spring Festival and Vishakha.

Efficacy of steaming, vacuum drying and stir-frying to total phenolic, flavonoid and organoleptic properties in butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea) tea

Study focused on different variables in blanching, vacuum drying, stir-frying to the total phenolic, total flavonoid content and sensory characteristics in the dried frying herbal tea. Our results revealed that steaming at 100°C in 30 seconds, vacuum drying at 35°C under pressure -0.8 bar, stir-frying at 140°C in 6 minutes could manufacture one kind of herbal tea with the good organoleptic attributes while maintaining the best phenolic and flavonoid content. These findings provided useful information for producers in processing of clitoria ternatea to preserve potential sources of phytochemical elements for human consumption.

Analysis of Ploidy Levels of Korean Wild Asteraceae Species Using Chromosome Counting

Because of their attractive and colorful flowers, many species from the genus Aster serve as garden plants. Chrysanthemum owes its popularity to its ornamental and medicinal herb value. It can be used as a cut flower, potted plant, vegetable, and herbal tea. Plant breeders have attempted to identify the available species and produce new cultivars to improve the quality of chrysanthemum for commercial purposes. The use of cytogenetic studies has paved the way for identifying compatibility, ancestry, and other useful information for this undertaking. Thus, an investigation was conducted into the chromosome numbers of 23 wild Asteraceae species in Republic of Korea to determine their genetic characteristics and variations. The somatic chromosome spread has been used for chromosome counting. The results revealed that Asteraceae species have a chromosome range from 18 (diploid) to 54 (hexaploid). These findings provide primary and important information on the chromosome numbers in chrysanthemum plants that can be used to select the right variety for cultivation.

Investigation of biochemical usefulness of tea(Camellia sinensis )flower

Bu çalışmada (Camellia sinensis) çay çiçeğinin antioksidan aktivitesi, toplam flavonoid içeriği, toplam fenolik içeriği ve yüksek performanslı sıvı kromatografi (HPLC) ile fenolik içeriği ve şeker içeriği, antimikrobiyal aktivitesi incelendi ve istatistiksel olarak değerlendirildi. Yapılan çalışmada bazı önemli sonuçlar bulundu; Toplam fenolik içerik (mg GAE - g), 28.641 ± 0.742; Toplam flavonoid içeriği (mg Quercetin - g), 16.393 ± 0.033; Antioksidan aktivite, DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil radikal) Radikal Temizleme aktivitesi(Trolox mg - mL), 0.0843 ± 0.001. Bu çalışmada, çay çiçeğinden elde edilen metanolik özün, 2,2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH) serbest radikal temizleme aktivitesi analizinde güçlü antioksidan aktiviteye sahip olduğu bulundu. Çay çiçeği metanolik ekstraktından tanımlanan ana fenolik bileşik, kateşin 128.126 mg - kg dir. Suda çözünür şeker içerği, oda sıcaklığında ve 100 ° C’ de ekstrakte edilen numuneden ve HPLC ile tespit edildi. Şeker içeriğinin fruktoz, glukoz ve sükrozdan oluştuğu bulundu. Numuneler ısıtıldığında şeker içeriklerinin neredeyse iki kat arttığı tespit edildi. Ayrıca çay çiçeğinin antimikrobiyal aktivitesine bakıldı ve Micrococcus luteus’a karşı en duyarlı olduğu tespit edildi.

Comparative study on the antioxidant activities of ten common flower teas from China

AbstractFlower teas are widely consumed across the world because of their beneficial health effects. The antioxidant activities of methanol extracts from ten common flower teas in China were evaluated using four antioxidant assays. The total phenolic (TPCs) and total flavonoid contents (TFCs) were also investigated. Most of these flower teas exhibited potent antioxidant effects, of which rosae rugosae flos exerted the strongest antioxidant effects in four assays. Rosae rugosae flos also exerted the highest TPC, while fragrans showed the highest TFC. Correction analysis indicated that phenolics play a key role in the antioxidant effect of flower teas, while flavonoids were poorly correlated with antioxidant activity. The results supported the consumption of flower teas as functional foods and their application as sources of natural antioxidants in the food industry.

Abstract 716: Chakasaponin I from tea (Camellia sinensis) flower induce anti-proliferative effect and apoptosis of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells

Abstract Ovarian cancer has the highest rate of death among gynecological malignancy and ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women. Adverse side effects and acquired resistance to conventional chemotherapy based on platinum drive the exploration of other anticancer therapies,thus natural products have drawn greater attention for cancer treatment in recent years. Tea (Camellia sinensis) flower being an abundant agricultural by-product in China and Japan, has been studied for its bio-functional effects. A recent research showed that tea flower saponins (TFS) could induce anti-proliferative effect and cell cycle arrest in human ovarian cancer cells. In the present study, Chakasaponin I, one of the major constituents in TFS, whose main structure is oleanane-type triterpene, showed strong growth inhibitory effects on cisplatin-resistant OVCAR-3 cells at 3 μM by MTS assay. Such inhibitory effects might result from the induction of apoptosis. Western blot assay, Hoechst 33342 staining assay, and flow cytometry analysis were used to examine the effects of Chakasaponin I on apoptosis. The results showed that Chakasaponin I treatment dose-dependently activated the pro-apoptotic proteins (Bad and Bax) and therefore induced apoptosis might by the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Citation Format: Yi C. Chen. Chakasaponin I from tea (Camellia sinensis) flower induce anti-proliferative effect and apoptosis of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 716.

Perancangan Bisnis Untuk Produk Teh Bunga "Beautea"

Too much activity and work tend to make us forget to rest. Tea has been known for generations for its antioxidant content and relaxation properties. A study in Taiwan with 80 postnatal women suffering from sleep deprivation shows that the consumption of Chamomile flower tea may help increase the quality of sleep and reduce the symptoms of depression. Human adults need at least 7 hours of quality sleep. If we fulfill the amount of sleep our body needs, we may notice less wrinkles, obscured dark circles, denser hair, healthier appearance, and even improves the absorption of product by our system. Beautea offers flower tea that may help women relax and achieve their true beauty potential. The purpose of this journal is to develop and research the product “Beautea” to understand public’s awareness about flower tea and plan on strategy that matches the product. The research is done by observing marketing strategy of similar businesses to understand the interest of target audience towards the offered products. This journal is supported by field data as primary source and references as secondary sources such as books and journals which undergo observations, expert and extreme user interviews, and online and offline questioner.

먼셀의 20 색상환을 기본으로 한 꽃차의 색 분류

먼셀의 20 색상환을 기본으로 한 꽃차의 색 분류

Metabolome and Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis Reveals Anthocyanin Metabolism in Pink Flowers of Anthocyanin-Rich Tea (Camellia sinensis).

Almost all flowers of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) are white, which has caused few researchers to pay attention to anthocyanin accumulation and color changing in tea flowers. A new purple-leaf cultivar, Baitang purple tea (BTP) was discovered in the Baitang Mountains of Guangdong, whose flowers are naturally pink, and can provide an opportunity to understand anthocyanin metabolic networks and flower color development in tea flowers. In the present study, twelve anthocyanin components were identified in the pink tea flowers, namely cyanidin O-syringic acid, petunidin 3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-O-beta-d-glucoside, which marks the first time these compounds have been found in the tea flowers. The presence of these anthocyanins seem most likely to be the reason for the pink coloration of the flowers. Twenty-one differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in anthocyanin pathway were identified using KEGG pathway functional enrichment, and ten of these DEG’s screened using venn and KEGG functional enrichment analysis during five subsequent stages of flower development. By comparing DEGs and their expression levels across multiple flower development stages, we found that anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation in BTP flowers mainly occurred between the third and fourth stages (BTP3 to BTP4). Particularly, during the period of peak anthocyanin synthesis 17 structural genes were upregulated, and four structural genes were downregulated only. Ultimately, eight critical genes were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), which were found to have direct impact on biosynthesis and accumulation of three flavonoid compounds, namely cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, petunidin 3-O-glucoside and epicatechin gallate. These results provide useful information about the molecular mechanisms of coloration in rare pink tea flower of anthocyanin-rich tea, enriching the gene resource and guiding further research on anthocyanin accumulation in purple tea.

An aqueous polyphenol extract from Rosa rugosa tea has antiaging effects on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Rosa rugosa aqueous polyphenol (RAP) is a kind of polyphenol from Rosa rugosa flower tea. In this study, the antiaging activities of RAP were studied in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. UHPLC-HESI-MS/MS was employed to identify the specific phenolic profile, revealing that there were 23 types of phenolic compounds in RAP and that quercetin glycoside was the principal component. RAP increased the mean lifespan of C. elegans and enhanced the thermotolerance and resistance to oxidative stress of C. elegans in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, RAP showed powerful antioxidant effects in vitro and strong protection against oxidative DNA damage. RAP significantly improved the levels of total superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity of C. elegans. In conclusion, RAP has antiaging effects on C. elegans, which might be related to its powerful antioxidant effects both in vitro and in vivo. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In recent years, chronic diseases associated with aging have had a profound impact on quality of life. Many healthy foods have antiaging properties, especially flower teas, such as those made from Rosa rugosa. Our results indicated that Rosa rugosa tea is good for health and that RAP could potentially be developed as a bioactive product that could be used to combat aging.