EPICATECHIN DERIVATIVES AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF A TRADITIONAL PRODUCT MADE IN SIKKIM FROM LEAVES OF CAMELLIA-SINENSIS

A traditional product of Camellia sinensis leaves was recorded in tribal areas of Sikkim State, India. The product was analysed for its epicatechin derivatives, and for its neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid contents together with their fatty acid compositions. (-) - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was the main polyphenolic constituent present in this traditional product, accounting for 742 g kg-1 of total epicatechin derivatives. Glycolipids, which account for 570 g kg-1 of total lipid, contained a significantly greater amount of linolenic acid (C18:3, 546 g kg-1 of glycolipid) than the neutral lipids or phospholipids. Palmitic (C16:0) and linoleic (C18:2) acids were in greater proportion in the phospholipid fraction, while myristic (C14:0) and lauric (C12:0) were abundant in the neutral lipid. Since EGCG is a known antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic agent, this traditional tea product may have considerable pharmacological significance.