Abstract
The present project aims to investigate aluminium (Al) and fluoride (F) contents in teas (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze). Three different commercial tea varieties: Assam variety and two China sub-varieties, a large leafed variety and small leafed variety, were collected in two tea gardens of Lantau Island tea plantation of Hong Kong. In general, high concentrations of Al and F were accumulated in the mature leaves (15.3 and of 2.07 g kg−1 respectively). Among the three varieties, ‘the small leafed’ variety exhibited the highest Al and F contents followed by the ‘large leafed’ variety whereas the Assam variety had the lowest Al and F concentrations in its tea bushes. Tea products from a plantation were also analysed and it was noted that black tea had higher Al and F concentrations than green tea. The amount of Al and F released into tea liquor was also tested and the results showed that higher concentrations of Al and F were released into tea liquor under repeated infusion method than continuous infusion method.
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Fung, K., Zhang, Z., Wong, J. et al. Aluminium and Fluoride Concentrations of Three Tea Varieties Growing at Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Environmental Geochemistry and Health 25, 219–232 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023233226620
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023233226620