February 17/Chengdu, China/Biotech Business Week -- In "Separation of Major Catechins from Green Tea by Ultrahigh Pressure Extraction," researchers presented new data in life sciences. According to the study from Chengdu, People's Republic of China, "This study presents a novel extraction technique, ultrahigh pressure extraction, to obtain major catechins from green tea leaves. The effects of various high pressure levels (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 MPa) on the extract are examined."

"HPLC chromatographic analyses determine the concentration of four major catechins and caffeine. The extraction yields of active ingredients with ultrahigh pressure extraction (400 MPa pressure) for only 15 minutes were given the same as those of organic solvent extraction for 2 hours," wrote X. Jun and colleagues, Sichuan University.

The researchers concluded, "These excellent results for the ultrahigh pressure extraction are promising for the future separation of active ingredients from traditional Chinese herbal medicine."

Jun and colleagues published the results of their research in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics ("Separation of Major Catechins from Green Tea by Ultrahigh Pressure Extraction." International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2010;386(1-2):229-31).

For additional information, contact X. Jun, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.

From the March 1, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition