Polyphenolics Profile and their Seasonal Variation in Fresh Shoots of Kangra tea [Camellia sinensis (L) O Kuntze] Grown in North Western India

Polyphenolics Profile and their Seasonal Variation in Fresh Shoots of Kangra tea [Camellia sinensis (L) O Kuntze] Grown in North Western India

Fresh shoots (two leaves and a bud) of Kangra tea collected at seven day intervals throughout the plucking seasons (April to October) during three consecutive years. In fresh tea shoots the variations in the levels of total polyphenols in the range: 124.800 to 207.600gkg-1 (2006), 192.421 to 304.144gkg-1 (2007), 131.842 to 231.750gkg-1 (2008); and total catechins in the range: 60.070 to 163. 900gkg-1 (2006), 65.557 to 146.808gkg-1 (2007), 59.710 to 80.122gkg-1 (2008); were significant throughout the plucking seasons. Correlations among total polyphenols, total catechins and six weather parameters were worked out. The catechins content of tea powders obtained by lyophilizing aqueous extracts of fresh tea shoots always varied in the order (−)-epigallocatechin gallate > (−)-epigallocatechin > (−)-epicatechin > (+)- catechin. Tea powders of summer season had higher levels of total catechins, (+)-catechin, (−)- epicatechin and (−)-epigallocatechin compared to rest of the plucking seasons.