Catechins in green tea have various useful features including antioxidant activity and preventive effects on metabolic syndrome. Various beverages that are enriched with tea catechins are marketed as Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) in Japan. However, recent reports have indicated that excessive consumption of green tea extracts as a dietary supplement are associated with adverse health effects such as liver disorders. Various catechins and caffeine are constituents of FOSHU tea-based beverages. The amount of catechins in FOSHU products is displayed on labels as total catechin content, but the content of individual catechins are not provided. Although health hazards of FOSHU products have rarely been reported, precise information about the content and types of catechins in FOSHU products is needed to ensure safety. We used high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array (HPLC/PDA) to simultaneously identify and quantify catechins and caffeine in green tea-based popular beverages and FOSHU beverages. This technique allowed simultaneous quantitation of five types of catechins and caffeine in green tea without complicated sample preparation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epigallocatechin EGC were the main catechins in various FOSHU beverages and the concentrations of almost all catechins were higher in FOSHU, than in popular green tea-based beverages. The concentrations of EGCG in green tea-based popular beverages and in FOSHU beverages were 5.4 - 7.3 and 10.2 - 41.9 mg/100mL, respectively, with the highest concentration being in a product named Healthya (approximately 147 mg/bottle). The simultaneous determination of compounds such as catechins and caffeine in FOSHU beverages can help to estimate beneficial and adverse effects to prevent deleterious effects on health and the excessive consumption of FOSHU beverages containing high concentrations of tea catechins should be avoided.
Tea produced from the leaves of Camellia sinensis is the most common beverage consumed worldwide. It is categorized as green, oolong, or black, depending on whether the tea leaves are nonfermented, partially fermented, or completely fermented/oxidized, respectively.
Green tea prepared from processed leaves of Camellia sinensis, contains large amounts of polyphenols, most of which are catechins. Catechins account for 10% - 20% of dry green tea leaves and those are described as being responsible for the bitter components of green tea. The major types of catechins in green tea are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC) and epicatechingallate (ECG), along with their heat-induced isomers that include catechin (+C), gallocatechin (GC), catechingallate (CG), and gallocatechingallate (GCG). Among these, EGCG has been extensively investigated since it is the dominant catechin in green tea.
Green tea is widely recognized as a health beverage worldwide, because catechins possess antioxidant, anticarcinogenic [1] [2] , fat-burning [3] and anti-ob- esity [4] effects, as well as properties that can help to cure metabolic syndrome [5] . The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan has approved the marketing of catechin-rich tea beverages as FOSHU products due to the various health-pro- moting functions of catechins. Because adverse health effects of consuming green tea or catechin-rich tea beverages have not been reported, catechins are considered safe. However, recent reports indicate that the over-consumption of dietary supplements containing high doses of tea catechins can cause liver disorders associated with catechin-induced hepatotoxicity [6] . It is also reported that higher oral doses of EGCG are hepatotoxic to mice [7] . The amounts of catechins in bottled FOSHU products are displayed on labels as total catechin content, but the contents of individual catechins are not. Therefore, concentrations of individual catechins in catechin-rich tea beverages should be determined and displayed to ensure the safe and appropriate consumption of catechins. Furthermore, excessive consumption of caffeine can cause sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal disorders, arrhythmia and acute seizures. Here, we used a photodiode array (PDA) with HPLC detection to compare the concentrations of individual catechins and caffeine in FOSHU beverages with those in popular green tea-based Japanese beverages.
2. Materials and Methods2.1. Materials
Authentic standards of EGCG, EGC, EC, ECG and +C (Green Tea Catechin Standards Kit) catechins and caffeine (JIS Special Grade) were obtained from Chroma Dex and Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd., respectively. Other reagents were of JIS Special or HPLC grade.
2.2. Preparation of Standard and Tea Beverage Samples
A mixture of authentic catechins and caffeine was dissolved in Milli-Q water supplemented with equimolar or higher concentrations of ascorbic acid antioxidant as standard stock solutions and stored at −30˚C. The composition in standard solution was EGCG (200 μg/mL), EGC (200 μg/mL), EC (200 μg/mL), ECG (100 μg/mL), +C (100 μg/mL) and caffeine (400 μg/mL). Standard stock solutions were immediately diluted with Milli-Q water before use as working solutions to prepare calibration curves. Stock solutions of catechins and caffeine remained stable when frozen for at least two months. Four branded FOSHU beverages marketed in bottled, ready-to-drink form were purchased as follows: Heal- thya (Kao Corporation Tokyo Japan; lot, 2014.10.29/H), Iyemon Tokucha (Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd., Tokyo Japan; lot, 2014.12.19/T), Catechin Ryokucha (Itoen Ltd., Tokyo Japan; lot, A13' 14:52) and Juroku-cha W (Asahi Soft Drinks Co. Ltd. Tokyo Japan; lot, 14.11.27/F). Five bottled, ready-to-drink, green tea- based beverages were also purchased as follows: Nama-cha (Kirin Beverage Cor- poration; lot 150212/T), Iyemon (Suntory; lot 2014.12.21/T), Ayataka (The Coca-Cola company; lot 141216-ESA c19520231876882), OiOcha (Itoen; lot 2015.2.8 K50) and Oi Ocha Dark (Itoen; lot 2015.2.4 K50). Frozen standard solutions and beverage samples were diluted 10-fold with Milli-Q water and filtered through a 0.45-μm membrane immediately before HPLC analysis.
2.3. HPLC Conditions
Samples were analyzed using a Shimadzu Prominence system equipped with an LC-20AB pump, DGU-20A3R degasser, SIL-20ACHT autosampler, CTO-10AS vp column oven, SPD-20A UV-VIS detector, SPD-M20A PDA detector and a LabSolutions data processor. The HPLC conditions were as follows: column, Shiseido CAPCELL PAK C18 MG (5 μm, 4.6 mm I.D. × 150 mm); mobile phase, 0.5% aqueous phosphoric acid (A) and methanol/acetonitrile (9:1) (B); solvent gradient (A:B), 80:20 over 0 - 10 min, followed by a linear gradient to 60:40 over 30 min; flow rate, 1 mL/min; column temperature, 40˚C; and detection wavelength, 242 and 272 nm. The injected volume was 10 μL. The wavelength range for absorption spectrum analysis by PDA was set at 190 - 400 nm.
2.4. Precision and Accuracy
The precision and accuracy of the HPLC method were evaluated by analyzing three concentrations of catechin working standard solutions prepared by adding various concentrations of stock solution to green tea. Assay precision determined as intra-day (n = 5 samples) and inter-day (n = 5 days) variability is expressed as percent relative standard deviation (%RSD). %RSD was calculated using the percentage ratio of standard deviation to the means of five replicate determinations. %RSD = standard deviation/mean × 100. Accuracy was assessed as % recovery.
3. Results and Discussion3.1. Peak Spectral Similarity
We simultaneously measured the concentrations of the major catechins EGCG, EGC, EC, ECG, and +C, and caffeine (Figure 1) using a gradient method. Figure 2 shows chromatograms and contour maps of catechins and caffeine. Peaks were identified based on computed similarity indices > 0.9 for the absorption spectra of peaks with the same retention times in chromatograms of standard solutions containing authentic compounds (Figure 2(a)) and green tea-based beverages (Figure 2(b)). This method allowed the separation of EGCG, EGC, EC, ECG +C and caffeine into six discrete peaks without complicated sample preparation or interference from other components of the samples.
3.2. Quantitative Analysis of Catechins and Caffeine
Catechins and caffeine were quantified using an absolute calibration curve. The
Structure of catechins and caffeine
Chromatograms and contour maps of caffeine and catechins in standard solution (a) and green tea (b). 1, EGC; 2, +C; 3, Caffeine; 4, EGCG; 5, EC; 6, ECG
detection wavelength was set at 242 nm for EGC and +C, and 272 nm for EGCG, EC, ECG and caffeine. Table 1 shows the range of calibration curves and parameters of the limits of detection and quantitation for each component. The detection and quantitation limits calculated from the residual standard deviation of the regression line of the calibration curve were 3.3- and 10-fold, respectively. The quantitation limits for EGCG, EGC, EC, ECG, +C and caffeine were 0.27, 0.14, 0.62, 0.29, 0.03, and 0.34 μg/mL, respectively, indicating that this assay is sensitive enough to measure catechins in green tea beverages. The calibration curve was quite linear (r = 1.000, data not shown) and within the concentration range listed in Table 1 for each component.
3.3. Assay Precision and Accuracy
Table 2 and Table 3 respectively show the precision and accuracy of catechin and caffeine measurements. The %RSD for catechins and caffeine were both < 3% for intra- and inter-day variations, indicating good assay repeatability. Recovery ranged from 92% to 108% for catechins and caffeine, respectively, in this assay. Catechins and caffeine and remained stable for at least 16 hours in the in the HPLC autosampler at 4˚C (data not shown).
3.4. Catechin and Caffeine Concentrations in Green Tea-Based Popular and FOSHU Beverages
The major types of catechins, a group of polyphenols found abundantly in green
Analytical parameters for determination of catechins and caffeine
EGCG
EGC
EC
ECG
+C
Caffeine
Linear range (μg/mL)
1.25 - 20
1.25 - 20
1.25 - 20
0.625 - 10
0.625 - 10
2.5 - 40
Detection limit (μg/mL)
0.09
0.05
0.20
0.09
0.01
0.11
Quantification limit (μg/mL)
0.27
0.14
0.62
0.29
0.03
0.34
Precision and accuracy of catechins in green tea spiked with catechins
Catechins
Theoretical Concentration
Determined* (μg/mL)
Precision (%RSD)
Accuracy (%)
(μg/mL)
Original*
Added
Total*
Intra-day
Inter-day
Intra-day
EGCG
6.67
2.5
9.17
9.05
0.77
0.83
95.3
6.67
5.0
11.67
11.47
0.98
1.43
96.1
6.67
10.0
16.67
16.12
0.98
1.97
94.6
EGC
7.13
2.5
9.63
9.56
0.43
1.48
97.3
7.13
5.0
12.13
12.05
1.01
1.56
98.5
7.13
10.0
17.13
16.99
0.47
1.68
98.6
EC
1.74
2.5
4.24
4.29
0.68
1.96
101.7
1.74
5.0
6.74
6.67
0.67
1.62
98.6
1.74
10.0
11.74
11.65
0.57
1.52
99.1
ECG
1.19
1.25
2.44
2.35
0.91
0.63
92.9
1.19
2.50
3.69
3.49
0.77
1.69
92.0
1.19
5.00
6.19
5.79
1.19
2.51
92.1
+C
2.50
1.25
3.75
3.75
0.81
1.78
100.2
2.50
2.50
5.00
4.98
0.77
2.53
99.4
2.50
5.00
7.50
7.87
1.03
2.01
107.5
*: Mean of five replicate determinations.
Precision and accuracy of caffeine in green tea spiked with caffeine
Theoretical Concentration (μg/mL)
Determined* (μg/mL)
Precision (%RSD)
Accuracy (%)
Original*
Added
Total*
Intra-day
Inter-day
Intra-day
11.1
5.0
16.1
16.1
0.42
0.90
99.7
11.1
10.0
21.1
21.4
0.85
1.44
100.8
11.1
20.0
31.1
31.1
0.51
1.67
98.9
*: Mean of five replicate determinations.
tea, comprise EGCG, EGC, ECG and EC and EGCG, with EGC being predominant. We simultaneously determined and compared the concentrations of five catechins and caffeine in green tea-based popular beverages and FOSHU beverages using HPLC/PDA. Table 4 shows the catechin concentrations in the popular beverages. The EGCG concentration was highest in Oi Ocha Dark followed by Ayataka and Iyemon (15.8, 7.33 and 7.17 mg/100mL, respectively). The EGC concentration also followed the same order (11.9, 9.46 and 7.91 mg/100mL, respectively). Oi Ocha Dark contained about double the EGCG and EGC concentrations compared with Oi Ocha, another product of the same company, and the concentrations of other catechins for Oi Ocha dark were highest among the popular green tea beverages. Table 5 shows the catechin concentrations in the FOSHU beverages. The main catechins were EGCG and EGC and the concentrations of almost all catechins in FOSHU except EC in Catechin Ryokucha were higher than those of green tea-based popular beverages. Healthya contained the most EGCG among all tested FOSHU beverages. The caffeine concentration was also higher in FOSHU, than popular beverages and it was highest in Healthya (23.9 mg/100mL) among the FOSHU beverages. These results showed that catechin contents differ between green tea-based popular beverages and FOSHU beverages, and that the contents of the main catechins EGCG and EGC as well as caffeine were the highest in Healthya. Differences in spices, leaves and/or processes used to produce these beverages might be responsible for these differences.
Popular green tea-based and FOSHU beverages are marketed in 500 - 555- and 350 - 600-mL bottles, respectively. Thus, the estimated EGCG contents per bottle of popular and FOSHU beverages are 30 - 80 and 50 - 145 mg, respectively, for the FOSHU beverages except Juroku-cha W. Notably, the estimated amount of EGCG in one bottle of Healthya was equivalent to that in 3 - 4 bottles
Catechin and caffeine concentrations in popular green tea beverages
brand
serving size (mL)
concentration (mg/100mL)*
EGCG
EGC
EC
ECG
+C
Caffeine
Nama-cha
555
5.40
7.32
1.48
0.88
3.45
9.16
Iyemon
500
7.17
7.91
2.04
1.28
2.88
13.2
Ayataka
525
7.33
9.46
2.30
1.30
3.51
12.3
Oi ocha
525
5.78
5.80
1.28
0.97
2.83
11.0
Oi ocha dark
525
15.8
11.9
3.05
2.80
5.18
17.7
*: Mean of five replicate determinations.
Catechin and caffeine concentrations in Food for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU)
brand
serving size (mL)
concentration (mg/100mL)*
EGCG
EGC
EC
ECG
+C
Caffeine
Healthya
350
41.9
34.3
9.20
10.6
8.91
23.9
Iyemon Tokucha
500
10.2
9.02
2.37
2.09
2.30
17.5
Catechin Ryokucha
350
19.7
3.41
0.78
5.20
1.78
7.51
Juroku-cha W
600
0.30
ND
ND
ND
ND
3.20
*: Mean of five replicate determinations.
of popular tea-based beverages. Both EGCG and EGC are thought to have various physiological functions. For example, tea catechins decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Among tea catechins, EGCG reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption, increases LDL receptor gene expression and inhibits LDL oxidation [8] [9] . Studies have shown that EGCG can inhibit LDL oxidation and green tea consumption of 700 - 800 mL/day can reduce cardiovascular risk [10] . Furthermore, tea catechins combined with caffeine decrease lipogenesis and increase lipolysis [11] [12] . Therefore, one bottle per day of Healthya, which contains the most caffeine and tea catechins, including amounts of EGCG equivalent to those in > 1000 mL of popular beverages, is sufficient to benefit from its health-pro- moting effects.
The consumption of these FOSHU beverages should be limited to about one bottle per day from the viewpoint of safety because recent reports suggest that excessive consumption of green tea extract can impair liver function. Survey data collected between 1999 and 2008 identified 34 patients (6 men and 28 women) with liver disorders associated with green tea consumption, and 15 of them also consumed a dietary supplement containing exclusively green tea extract [13] . Hepatic inflammation accompanied by increased blood levels of hepatic enzymes (ALT, ALP and total bilirubin) and biopsy-proven necrosis has occurred in a 24-year-old Caucasian woman with the α-1 antitrypsin MZ phenotype who swallowed two caplets of a dietary supplement containing 135 mg of EGCG twice daily (EGCG 540 mg/day) for three months [14] . Acute liver failure has occurred in a 16-year-old Hispanic boy who consumed two tablets of a dietary supplement containing 400 mg of EGCG daily for 60 days [15] . Therefore, excessive consumption of Healthya containing a high concentration of EGCG might deleteriously affect liver function, whereas consuming one bottle a day of Healthya can positively benefit beneficial health. Furthermore, excessive consumption of caffeine can cause sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal disorders, arrhythmia and acute seizures. Taken together, the excessive consumption of dietary supplements, health foods and FOSHU products containing extracted and/or concentrated catechins and caffeine should be avoided, although ingesting catechins and caffeine in popular green tea beverages is harmless, and probably beneficial.
4. Conclusion
The simultaneous determination of catechins and caffeine levels in individual green tea-based, popular and FOSHU beverages using HPLC with a PDA detector was selective. Our original methods indicated in this paper are simple and useful. It has the small application scale and a high sensitivity. Then, it is applicable in the simultaneous determination of catechins and caffeine levels in other tea-based FOSHU beverages such as oolong or black tea. We found that the FOSHU beverages contained equivalent amounts of EGCG and caffeine to those in 3 - 4 bottles of popular green tea-based beverages. Therefore, the consumption of green tea-based FOSHU beverages to promote health should be limited to one bottle per day. Simultaneous determination of EGCG and caffeine in FOSHU beverages is useful for correctly identifying their positive and negative effects and the consumption of these beverages must be appropriate to realize their health-promoting benefits.
Cite this paper
Maruyama, K., Kihara-Negishi, F., Ohkura, N., Nakamura, Y., Nasui, M. and Saito, M. (2017) Simultaneous Determination of Catechins and Caf- feine in Green Tea-Based Beverages and Foods for Specified Health Uses. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 8, 316-325. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2017.83021
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