Antifungal activity of green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L.) sampled in different harvest time

Halit Aladag; Sezai Ercisli; Duymus Zeynep Yesil; Arzu Gormez; Meryem Yesil

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Magazine,2009,5,20s,437-440.

Published:February 2010

Type:Research Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Halit Aladag¹, Sezai Ercisli², Duymus Zeynep Yesil³, Arzu Gormez⁴, Meryem Yesil⁵
¹Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
²Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
³Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
⁴Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
⁵Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey

Abstract:

Antifungal activity of green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L.), sampled 3 different harvest time (May, July and September) from Rize region in Turkey, against a number of fungi (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida kruseii, Candida parapsilosis and Candida dubliensis) has been investigated. In addition, the catechin-based flavonoids in green tea leaves such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC) were determined. All methanol extract of green tea samples showed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity against all Candida species in broth microdilution bioassays. However maximum activity of methanol extract (>17 mm inhibition zone) was observed against Candida albicans at 3rd harvest time. In general, antifungal activity increased from 1^st harvest time to 3^rd harvest time. Catechin-based flavonoids have also increased from 1st harvest to 3rd harvest indicating a correlation with antifungal activity.