Effect of pH on the Green Tea Extraction

Green tea infusions were prepared by extracting them with aqueous solution of different pHs and their physicochemical properties were analyzed. Yellowness, chroma and total color difference values were increased as pH increased. The content of total amino acids in the green tea infusion was not influenced by pH values. Total catechin contents of the green tea infusion extracted at pH 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 were 32.28, 31.84, 31.14 and 14.70 mg/g, respectively. Among the four catechins investigated, epigallocatechingallate and epigallocatechin are more unstable as the pH was changed from 6.0 to 7.0. As pH increased, the extraction of caffeine was also increased. In conclusion, extraction at low pH is preferred for the preparation of green tea infusion.