Single extraction
The effect of water temperature (60, 80 and 100 ◦C) upon the
TPC and antioxidant capacity of C. asiatica infusions was studied
without considering the flavour and taste of the herbal teas.
Generally, the TPC in C. asiatica infusions was found to increase
gradually across the range of temperatures studied (Fig. 2). The
CANF preparation contained the richest source of phenolic
compounds among the C. asiatica infusions, which achieved a
maximum value in water extractions at 100 ◦C. When the TPC of
the C. asiatica infusion extracts at 100 ◦C was compared, there was
no significant difference between CANF and CAPF, and both had
significantly higher values than CAFF. The results obtained were
similar to those obtained by Horzic et al.23 These authors reported
that 100 ◦C was the most effective temperature for extracting the
highest amount of phenolic compounds in extractions of herbal
teas such as white tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea and linden
and chamomile infusions.
A similar trend was observed in the FRAP values. Generally, the
higher the phenolic content, the higher the antioxidant activity.
The FRAP value of CAFF was not significantly different from that of
CAPF but was significantly lower than that of CANF. Nevertheless