The study conducted by Zhu et al.
(1997) demonstrated that ()-epigallocatechin gallate and
()-epigallocatechin were more unstable than ()-epicatechin
and ()-epicatechin gallate in a basic solution, giving a plausible
explanation to the fact that partial absorption of green
tea catechins in red blood cells of mice is attributed to the
instability of ()-epigallocatechin gallate and ()-epigallocatechin
in the intestine where the pH is neutral or alkaline.