A comparative assessment of metals and phthalates in commercial tea infusions: A starting point to evaluate their tolerance limits.

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the word. Here we report the concentrations of metals and phthalates in 32 commercial tea packages. The data were used to estimate the average daily intake of metals and phthalates, and associated Hazard Quotients (HQ) were calculated in order to determine risk of non-cancerous health effects for adults consuming tea on a daily basis. Tea samples were chosen based on the sales network, the price, the marketing quality and the presence of filters in the packages. Relatively high median concentrations of Al (5240 µg/L), Ni (44 µg/L), and Mn (2919 µg/L) were detected. No metals or phthalates quantified in the tea infusions and soluble tea showed an HQ greater than 1, indicating no risk of non-cancerous health effects. The data presented herein may serve as a starting point to evaluate tolerance limits of metals and phthalate in the tea infusion.

Comparative assessment of the quality of commercial black and green tea using microbiology analyses.

BACKGROUND: Drinking tea constitutes a tradition which is deeply rooted in the culture of several countries. Moreover, in recent years, tea consumption is growing all over the world. Improper herbal tea storage (long periods, humid environments) represents a relevant health hazard for consumers because of the growth of bacteria and molds. RESULTS: This study analyzed 32 samples of commercially available black and green teas - purchased from southern Italy markets and online-shops - and the monitoring of microbiological quality of the tea bag content was performed. Evaluations were conducted with the aim of characterizing pathogens indicated by the European and American guidelines (total bacterial count, fungi and Escherichia coli) and on the research of Pseudomonas spp. and Clostridium perfringens. The presence of ochratoxin A in tea matrix-leaves and infusions was further assessed, using a validated and accredited HPLC-FLD method. Microbial loads, for over 80% samples, ranged from 1.0 × 102 to 2.8 × 105 CFU/g tea: most of identified microorganisms were classified as Bacillaceae. The utilization of rapid detection and identification methods (PCR and sequencing), allowed the characterization of strains of Pseudomonas psychrotolerans, Staphylococcus warneri, Pantoea gaviniae and the isolation of one strain of Clostridium perfringens, whose ability to produce toxins can result in harmful outcomes for consumers. Fungi were isolated from 70% samples: the most prevalent molds were Aspergillus niger strains, followed by Aspergillus tubingensis. Ochratoxin A was detected in 22 of 32 tea solid samples investigated: concentrations resulted over the indicated limits for food products for 50% samples. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained demonstrated the need to develop targeted regulations for the safety of herbal teas.

What is in your cup of tea? DNA Verity Test to characterize black and green commercial teas.

In this study, we used several molecular techniques to develop a fast and reliable protocol (DNA Verity Test, DVT) for the characterization and confirmation of the species or taxa present in herbal infusions. As a model plant for this protocol, Camellia sinensis, a traditional tea plant, was selected due to the following reasons: its historical popularity as a (healthy) beverage, its high selling value, the importation of barely recognizable raw product (i.e., crushed), and the scarcity of studies concerning adulterants or contamination. The DNA Verity Test includes both the sequencing of DNA barcoding markers and genotyping of labeled-PCR DNA barcoding fragments for each sample analyzed. This protocol (DVT) was successively applied to verify the authenticity of 32 commercial teas (simple or admixture), and the main results can be summarized as follows: (1) the DVT protocol is suitable to detect adulteration in tea matrices (contaminations or absence of certified ingredients), and the method can be exported for the study of other similar systems; (2) based on the BLAST analysis of the sequences of rbcL+matK±rps7-trnV(GAC) chloroplast markers, C. sinensis can be taxonomically characterized; (3) rps7-trnV(GAC) can be employed to discriminate C. sinensis from C. pubicosta; (4) ITS2 is not an ideal DNA barcode for tea samples, reflecting potential incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization/introgression phenomena in C. sinensis taxa; (5) the genotyping approach is an easy, inexpensive and rapid pre-screening method to detect anomalies in the tea templates using the trnH(GUG)-psbA barcoding marker; (6) two herbal companies provided no authentic products with a contaminant or without some of the listed ingredients; and (7) the leaf matrices present in some teabags could be constituted using an admixture of different C. sinensis haplotypes and/or allied species (C. pubicosta).

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Rapa Catozza Napoletana (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa DC.) seed meal, a promising protein source of Campania region (southern Italy) horticultural germplasm.

BACKGROUND: The present study is the first effort in a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritive and biological properties of the meal from Rapa Catozza Napoletana (RCN) (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa) cultivar seeds as a new and alternative source of proteins. RESULTS: RCN seed meal revealed a good protein content (382.0 g kg(-1)) compared with conventional Brassica defatted meals. Total glucosinolates (6.0 g kg(-1)) were comparable to or even lower than those reported for other yellow- and brown-seeded cultivars. Low levels of both sinapine and phytic acid (10.0 and 10.0 g kg(-1) respectively) suggest a minor influence of these compounds on meal mineral availability. The meal revealed quite a high polyphenolic content (13.0 g kg(-1)) composed of flavonol and hydroxycinnamic derivatives. With regard to meal biological properties, a higher radical-scavenging potential than reducing capacity and a broad antimicrobial spectrum, mainly against food-borne pathogens, were detected. CONCLUSION: RCN seed meal could be highly regarded as a component of human nutrition and animal feed for its good protein content, desirable amino acid profile and low antinutrient concentration. Results for the sample indicated appreciable antiradical activity and good properties for meal stability.