Study of total antioxidant activity of green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L.).

Introduction: There is a high interest in creating medicines, dietary supplements, cosmetics including plant extract with antioxidant activity. For understanding whether plant extract has a maximum level of antioxidant activity it is important to know the total antioxidant activity of raw material. Objective: The main goal of study was to find out the green tea leaves total antioxidant activity. Methods: The antioxidant activity was measured by potentiometric method. Total phenolic, flavonoids, catechins and hydrocinnamic acids derivatives were quantified using Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminium chloride, vanillin and sodium molibdate methods, respectively. Results: The green tea leaves total antioxidant activity was 660.75 mmol-eqv./mres. dry weight. A significant correlation was observed between the amount of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity, which indicated its main role in antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The research showed that the green rea leaves possess a high value of antioxidant activity and it is a good source of phenolic constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]