用氨基酸分析仪测定茶氨酸

茶氨酸是茶中主要的和特有的氨基酸。除山茶、茶梅等茶科植物外,至今尚未在其它植物中检出。茶叶中茶氨酸的含量甚高,约占游离氨基酸总量的50—70％,直接影响茶树的新陈代谢和茶叶品质。绿茶茶氨酸含量与滋味等级呈正相关,红茶汤味也受茶氨酸     

三叶虫茶营养成分的分析与评价

通过与老鹰茶虫酿茶和一些品牌绿茶的对比,对三叶虫茶的一般营养成分、茶的生化特征、氨基酸和脂肪酸组成、维生素、矿物质元素进行分析和营养评价,为开发三叶虫茶提供科学依据。方法:用常规方法分析其主要营养素和生化成分;用氨基酸分析仪分析氨基酸组成,并采用WHO推荐的蛋白质模式对蛋白质进行营养评价;维生素和矿物元素含量直接说明其营养功能。三叶虫茶含有36.44%的水浸出物,16.28%的茶多酚、1.39%的氨基酸;氨基酸的种类较为齐全,总含量与传统茶叶相当,9种人体必需氨基酸的总量达到0.722%,是传统茶叶的3~12倍,特别是赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸、色氨酸的含量远远高于常规茶叶,而这4种氨基酸在一般植物食品中都是限制性氨基酸;但其茶氨酸、天门冬氨酸、谷氨酸的含量远远低于常规茶叶,而这3种氨基酸对改善茶汤滋味具有重要作用;三叶虫茶中脂肪酸含量为1.23%,其中多不饱和脂肪酸占35.25%;钙、磷、镁含量较高,铁、铜、锌、锰等的含量丰富;维生素C和维生素E含量与普通茶叶相当。三叶虫茶营养丰富,具备常规茶叶的一些生化特征,可作为茶饮料的代用品;若与普通茶叶混合使用,能在滋味和营养价值上实现互补。     

茶氨酸保健功能研究进展

茶氨酸是茶叶中特有的氨基酸,是茶叶重要活性成分之一。国内外大量研究表明它在保护神经、镇静、调节情绪、提高认知能力等方面有良好的保健作用。最新的研究进展表明茶氨酸可以通过激活T淋巴细胞起到抗肿瘤的作用。作为保健品,茶氨酸在医药和食品加工方面也有着良好的应用前景。     

氨基酸在茶叶中的分布、变化及其提高途径

<正> 氨基酸是茶叶中的重要含氮物质。很多氨基酸是组成蛋白质的基本单位,同时又是合成许多与代谢产物有关的生理活性物质先质。茶叶中的氨基酸种类很多,已发现的有25种以上,主要分布在叶、茎、根、果等部位。众多氨基酸中,以茶氨酸、谷氨酸、天门冬氨酸、精氨酸等含量较高,尤以茶氨酸含量最为突出,通常要占氨基酸总量的     

茶氨酸的研究进展

茶氨酸是茶叶的特征氨基酸。大量研究表明,茶氨酸的含量不仅对茶叶的品质有很大的影响,而且具有促进大脑功能和神经的生长、抗肿瘤、降压安神等功效。本文综述了近十余年来国内外在茶氨酸的形成、积累、测定、制备及应用方面的研究进展。     

氨基酸在茶叶制造中的转化机理及对茶叶品质的影响

<正> 茶鲜叶的氨基酸含量为干物的1.5～4.0％,嫩叶中含量较多,老叶较少。已分离鉴定的氨基酸有25种以上,其中茶氨酸约占氨基酸总量的50％以上,约占茶叶干物量的1％,其次是谷氨酸,精氨酸,丝氨酸,天冬氨酸等。由于氨基酸本身就是滋味物质     

茶叶中茶氨酸及其它游离氨基酸的定量测定

本文报道了在日立835—50型氨基酸分析仪上,采用2.6×250mm 分离柱和标准分析用Na~+盐缓中液,自设120分钟分析程序,一次完成茶叶中茶氨酸及其它游离氨基酸的测定。该方法重现性好,分辨率高,茶氨酸(约占60%)并相邻氨基酸的分辨率均在95%以上,取得令人满意的分析结果。茶叶中游离氨基酸的构成和含量是决定茶叶品质优劣的重要因素之一,其中茶氨酸又是影响较大的重要非蛋白氨基酸。随着氨基酸分析仪的广泛使用,有关分析方法也在不断改进和发展。一般来说,植物中的游离氨基酸需采用生体液分析法进行测定,但生体分析时间长达240分钟,Li~+盐缓冲液价格昂贵,操作条件也较复杂,且不易与标准分析法简便地转换,使应用受到一定限制。若采用2.6×150mm 分离柱来分析,则由于茶氨酸的保留时间与较难分离的酸性氨基酸的保留时间十分接近,含量又高。对其出峰附近的其它氨基酸峰复盖严重。分离困难,不易达到理想的分离效果。为了既便分析操作,降低费用,又能满足定量分析的要求,我们对本文所述的方法进行了初步研究。现扼要介绍如下。     

L-茶氨酸新型酶法制备及其催化工艺优化

L-茶氨酸是茶叶中游离氨基酸的主要组成部分,关于其良好的生理活性已有广泛报道。首次报道了来源于Cunnighamella echinulata 9980的L-氨基酰化酶用于高光学纯度的L-茶氨酸的酶法制备。该酶在pH 6.5,底物N-乙酰-DL-茶氨酸浓度为50 mM,且有40 mM CoCl2时催化效果较好。结果表明,在上述条件下,50℃作用12 h得L-茶氨酸22.5 mM,转化率90%。     

纸层析－分光光度法检测茶氨酸

为了满足普通实验室对茶中茶氨酸测定的需要,研究了茶氨酸的纸层析-分光光度检测方法。结果表明,用茚三酮．乙醇水溶液做展层剂,对茶苗根、芽叶和茶叶的水浸提液进行纸层析,能够有效地将茶氨酸与其它氨基酸分离,紫色色斑清晰而均匀。用乙醇溶液洗脱色斑后用分光光度计在570nm比色,在20～70此茶氨酸溶液点样量范围内其含量与吸光度呈线性关系。本方法检出限为0．0057mg·mL-1,测定下限为0．0191mg·mL-1,平均回收率90．28％～115．38％,平均相对标准差1．51％,具有安全、药品种类少和操作步骤简单等特点。     

沉淀法从茶叶中提取茶氨酸

茶叶浸提液分别用1%壳聚糖和D101大孔吸附树脂去杂后,用碱式碳酸铜沉淀茶氨酸。茶氨酸铜盐用1mol/L硫酸解析,分别用H_2S、Ba(OH)_2除去Cu~(2 )、SO_4~(2 )后,浓缩重结晶得到茶氨酸,提取率34%,纯度99．28%。     

Theanine is a candidate amino acid for pharmacological stabilization of mast cells

The increasing occurrences of allergic disorders may be attributed to exposure to environmental factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of allergy. The health benefits of green tea have been widely reported but are largely unsubstantiated. Theanine is the major amino acid present in green tea. In this study, we investigated the role of theanine in both IgE- and non- IgE-induced allergic response. Theanine inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock and ear swelling responses. IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was inhibited by the oral administration or pharmaceutical acupuncture of theanine. Histamine release from mast cells was decreased with the treatment of theanine. Theanine also repressed phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-induced TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 secretion by suppressing NF-κB activation. Furthermore, theanine suppressed the activation of caspase-1 and the expression of receptor interacting protein-2. The current study demonstrates for the first time that theanine might possess mast cell-stabilizing capabilities.     

Theanine transporters identified in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.)

Theanine, a unique non‐proteinogenic amino acid, is an important component of tea, as it confers the umami taste and relaxation effect of tea as a beverage. Theanine is primarily synthesized in tea roots and is subsequently transported to young shoots, which are harvested for tea production. Currently, the mechanism for theanine transport in the tea plant remains unknown. Here, by screening a yeast mutant library, followed by functional analyses, we identified the glutamine permease, GNP1 as a specific transporter for theanine in yeast. Although there is no GNP1 homolog in the tea plant, we assessed the theanine transport ability of nine tea plant amino acid permease (AAP) family members, with six exhibiting transport activity. We further determined that CsAAP1, CsAAP2, CsAAP4, CsAAP5, CsAAP6, and CsAAP8 exhibited moderate theanine affinities and transport was H⁺‐dependent. The tissue‐specific expression of these six CsAAPs in leaves, vascular tissues, and the root suggested their broad roles in theanine loading and unloading from the vascular system, and in targeting to sink tissues. Furthermore, expression of these CsAAPs was shown to be seasonally regulated, coincident with theanine transport within the tea plant. Finally, CsAAP1 expression in the root was highly correlated with root‐to‐bud transport of theanine, in seven tea plant cultivars. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that members of the CsAAP family transport theanine and participate in its root‐to‐shoot delivery in the tea plant.     

Theanine, γ-glutamylethylamide,a unique amino acid in tea leaves,modulates neurotransmitter concentrations in the brain striatum interstitium in conscious rats

Theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) is one of the major amino acid components in green tea and can pass through the blood-brain barrier. Recent studies suggest that theanine affects the mammalian central nervous system; however, the detailed mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of theanine on neurotransmission in the brain striatum by in vivo brain microdialysis. Theanine injection into the rat brain striatum did not increase the concentration of excitatory neurotransmitters in the perfusate. On the other hand, theanine injection increased the concentration of glycine in the perfusate. Because it has been reported that theanine promotes dopamine release in the rat striatum, we investigated the glycine and dopamine concentrations in the perfusate. Co-injection of glycine receptor antagonist, strychnine, reduced theanine-induced changes in dopamine. Moreover, AMPA receptor antagonist, which regulates glycine and GABA release from glia cells, inhibited these effects of theanine and this result was in agreement with the known inhibitory effect of theanine at AMPA receptors.     

Facilitated Neurogenesis in the Developing Hippocampus After Intake of Theanine,an Amino Acid in Tea Leaves,and Object Recognition Memory

Theanine, γ-glutamylethylamide, is one of the major amino acid components in green tea. In this study, cognitive function and the related mechanism were examined in theanine-administered young rats. Newborn rats were fed theanine through dams, which were fed water containing 0.3% theanine, and then fed water containing 0.3% theanine after weaning. Theanine level in the brain was under the detectable limit 6 weeks after the start of theanine administration. Theanine administration did not influence locomotor activity in the open-field test. However, rearing behavior was significantly increased in theanine-administered rats, suggesting that exploratory activity is increased by theanine intake. Furthermore, object recognition memory was enhanced in theanine-administered rats. The increase in exploratory activity in the open-field test seems to be associated with the enhanced object recognition memory after theanine administration. On the other hand, long-term potentiation (LTP) induction at the perforant path-granule cell synapse was not changed by theanine administration. To check hippocampal neurogenesis, BrdU was injected into rats 3 weeks after the start of theanine administration, and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) level was significantly increased at this time. Theanine intake significantly increased the number of BrdU-, Ki67-, and DCX-labeled cells in the granule cell layer 6 weeks after the start of theanine administration. This study indicates that 0.3% theanine administration facilitates neurogenesis in the developing hippocampus followed by enhanced recognition memory. Theanine intake may be of benefit to the postnatal development of hippocampal function.     

Effect of Theanine,r-Glutamylethylamide,on Brain Monoamines and Striatal Dopamine Release in Conscious Rats

Theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, is one of the major components of amino acids in Japanese green tea. Effect of theanine on brain amino acids and monoamines, and the striatal release of dopamine (DA) was investigated. Determination of amino acids in the brain after the intragastric administration of theanine showed that theanine was incorporated into brain through blood-brain barrier via leucine-preferring transport system. The concentrations of norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5HIAA) in the brain regions were unaffected by the theanine administration except in striatum. Theanine administration caused significant increases in serotonin and/or DA concentrations in the brain, especially in striatum, hypothalamus and hippocampus. Direct administration of theanine into brain striatum by microinjection caused a significant increase of DA release in a dose-dependent manner. Microdialysis of brain with calcium-free Ringer buffer attenuated the theanine-induced DA release. Pretreatment with the Ringer buffer containing an antagonist of non-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptor, MK-801, for 1 hr did not change the significant increase of DA release induced by theanine. However, in the case of pretreatment with AP-5, (±)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid; antagonist of NMDA glutamate receptor, the theanine-induced DA release from striatum was significantly inhibited. These results suggest that theanine might affect the metabolism and/or the release of some neurotransmitters in the brain, such as DA.     

An Enzyme Hydrolyzing l-Theanine in Tea Leaves

Theanine hydrolase activity in tea leaves was assayed by measuring enzymatically released ethylamine from l-theanine. The o-phthalaldehyde derivative of ethylamine was measured by reverse phase HPLC recorded with a spectrofluorometric detector.

Theanine hydrolase activity was purified about 4.6-fold by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Although this active fraction also had glutaminase activity, the yield of the glutaminase activity was about 50% of that of theanine hydrolytic activity. The theanine hydrolytic activity was inhibited by acidic amino acid and l-alanine, and stimulated by l-malic acid. The purified enzyme solution hydrolyzed not only theanine but also γ-glutamylmethylamide, γ-glutamyl-n-propylamide, γ-glutamyl-n-butylamide, γ-glutamyl-iso-butylamide, and γ-glutamyl-n-amylamide, which were synthesized from l-pyroglutamic acid and corresponding alkylamines. However, N-methylpropionamide and N-ethylpropionamide were not hydrolyzed. The theanine hydrolase activity and glutaminase in tea leaves showed the same pH optimum (8.5).

The activity of theanine hydrolase in tea leaves increased during the first lOhr after plucking but then decreased gradually, while that of glutaminase decreased constantly and was almost lost     

Effect of shade treatment on theanine biosynthesis in Camellia sinensis seedlings

Theanine synthetase (TS) is a key enzyme involved in theanine biosynthesis. In our recent study, it has been revealed that theanine biosynthesis derived from nitrogen metabolism in tea (Camellia sinensis) plants can be influenced by shading treatment. The expression patterns of CsTS protein in the roots and shoots of tea seedlings were examined by western blot using a self-prepared polyclonal antibody with high specificity and sensitivity. The effect of long-term shade treatment on the levels of theanine synthesis was also investigated using roots and shoots of tea seedlings. Levels of theanine and total free amino acids gradually increased in shoots, reaching their maximum after 22 days of treatment (DOT). The immunoblotting analysis suggested that CsTS protein levels increased gradually up to 22 DOT and expression remained at a high level, except after 1 DOT where levels were low in both roots and shoots. The increased theanine concentration we observed in the shading treatment may be due to increased nitrogen assimilation and reduced theanine catabolism under shade conditions.     

Nonaqueous fractionation and overexpression of fluorescent‐tagged enzymes reveals the subcellular sites of L‐theanine biosynthesis in tea

l ‐Theanine is a specialized metabolite in the tea (Camellia sinensis) plant which can constitute over 50% of the total amino acids. This makes an important contribution to tea functionality and quality, but the subcellular location and mechanism of biosynthesis of l ‐theanine are unclear. Here, we identified five distinct genes potentially capable of synthesizing l ‐theanine in tea. Using a nonaqueous fractionation method, we determined the subcellular distribution of l ‐theanine in tea shoots and roots and used transient expression in Nicotiana or Arabidopsis to investigate in vivo functions of l ‐theanine synthetase and also to determine the subcellular localization of fluorescent‐tagged proteins by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In tea root tissue, the cytosol was the main site of l ‐theanine biosynthesis, and cytosol‐located CsTSI was the key l ‐theanine synthase. In tea shoot tissue, l ‐theanine biosynthesis occurred mainly in the cytosol and chloroplasts and CsGS1.1 and CsGS2 were most likely the key l ‐theanine synthases. In addition, l ‐theanine content and distribution were affected by light in leaf tissue. These results enhance our knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology of the biosynthesis of functional tea compounds.