Analysis of catechins and caffeine levels in green tea
capsules
The green tea capsules used in the present study were
obtained from a manipulation pharmacy in the city of Viçosa, MG.
The different formulations sold supplied no product composition
description. The sample used presented quality control
certification, guaranteeing it was powdered green tea, and giving
a positive flavonoid reaction and a 1.7% caffeine concentration.
In the face of insufficient information as to the composition
of these capsules, the sample was submitted to analysis in the
Laboratory of Biodiversity and Pharmaceutical Bioprospection
of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of
the Federal University of Viçosa. The catechin content in the
green tea capsules was determined by a spectrophotometric by
reaction with valine method according to an adaptation of the
methodology described by Hills and Swain [11]. The analysis
result revealed that each capsule weighed on average 598.4
mg, and the catechin level was 1.04 ± 0.02% p/p or 6.2 mg of
proanthocyanidin/capsule and 0.28 mg of caffeine/capsule