A Systematic Approach to Analyzing Catechins and Catechin Derivatives in Ceylon Black Tea Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The structural diversity of catechins and catechin derivatives in black tea, combined with the scarcity of authentic standards, poses significant challenges for comprehensive analysis. This study developed a systematic approach to extract and analyze catechins and derivatives in Ceylon black tea from four Sri Lankan regions (Dimbula, Nuwara Eliya, Uva, Ruhuna) using optimized extraction, LC-QQQ/MS, and antioxidant assays. A central composite design optimized solvent (0–100 % acetone-water), temperature (30–60 ℃), and time (0–150 min), identifying 49.8 % acetone, 123.6 min with sonication, and 49.8 ℃ as optimal (desirability 0.743). LC-QQQ/MS confirmed effective extraction, while TPC, TFC, DPPH, and ABTS assays showed Nuwara Eliya tea had the highest antioxidant capacity, linked to elevated polyphenols and flavonoids. This workflow offers a robust framework for studying catechin derivatives with limited standards, providing insights into their stability, antioxidant potential, and health benefits in black tea.

Keywords: Ceylon black tea, catechin derivatives, design of experiment, LC-QQQ/MS.