A Comparison of Selected Phytochemical and Antioxidant Potential of Two Tea Beverages

Abstract

Herbal teas have been used as medicinal aids for centuries to treat a myriad of illnesses and have also been suggested to function in chemoprevention. Having numerous phytochemicals, the purported health benefits of herbal teas may be due to their antioxidant potential. Herbal tea blends infused with spices are increasing in popularity in U.S., and preliminary studies suggest the synergistic effects of combining herbal teas and spices. Some teas that are increasing in popularity include raspberry leaf, strawberry leaf, and hibiscus. The objectives of this study were to determine the antioxidant capacity of tea beverages (herbal (HT) (functional yogurt-based beverage-new product) and Chai (CT) (store bought) and to determine consumer preferences of tea beverages (HT and CT). Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), free radical scavenging activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were evaluated in methanolic and aqueous beverage extracts. A functional yogurt-based beverage (HT) was developed and sensory analysis was also conducted using a 5-point hedonic scale comparing consumer preference of HT or CT beverages. The highest phenolic content was observed in CT aqueous extracts (AQ) (500 mg GAE/g), all other extracts had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower phenolic content. CTAQ had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher flavonoid content compared to all other extracts (1.7 mg CAE/g). The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed in HT methanolic extracts (ME) (44.48% inhibition). The lowest DPPH radical scavenging was observed in HTAQ (21.88% inhibition). Approximately 61% of sensory panelists gave the yogurt-based developed product a rank of 4 or greater (on a 5-point hedonic scale) with 41% of panelists preferring the HT beverage over CT beverage. The results of this study suggest that a combination of herbal teas and spices may benefit consumers by improving their antioxidant status and may have potential as a functional-beverage.