Quality characteristics of black tea brands in Syrian markets


Abstract in English

Twenty two samples of black tea were collected from local Syrian markets during 2009-2010 to study the quality characteristics of tea in terms of moisture، water extract، caffeine، total ash، water soluble ash، alkalinity of soluble ash, insoluble ash in diluted hydrochloric acid in addition to microscopic examination. Results showed that all tested samples were identical to the Syrian Standard No. 286/2003 for all above quality specifications، except for caffeine percent which was less than the standard in 4 samples. The results also showed that there was no adulteration with foreign plants nor exhausted tea leaves.

References used

AOAC. 2000. Official method of analysis of the association of official analytical chemists، 979.11, caffeine in roasted coffee, chromatographicspectrophotometer method. 17ed، Maryland. USA
Ashihara، H. and A. Crozie. 1999. Biosynthesis and metabolism of caffeine and related purine alkaloids in plants. Adv. Bot. Res. 30: 118-205
Ashihara. H. and A. Crozier. 2001. Caffeine: A well known but little mentioned compound in plant science. Trends Plant Sci. 6: 407-413

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