Journal of Tea Science

Recent Advance on Quality Characteristics and Health Effects of Dark Tea

WANG Ruru, XIAO Mengchao, LI Daxiang, LING Tiejun, XIE Zhongwen

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 113-124. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.001

Abstract ( 659 )

PDF (765KB) ( 525 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

Dark tea is made from fresh leaves or mature shoots of tea plants (Camellia sinensis). Its manufacture process includes fixing, rolling, stacking and drying. The healthy benefits of dark tea attracted much attention. So far, a large number of in vitro experiments and animal model studies have revealed the potentially preventive effects of functional components in dark tea on some diseases, including hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and many other diseases. During the past ten years, there had made a huge advance in research on functional components and healthy benefits of dark tea. These results not only provided a reliable theoretical basis for better understanding of health effects of dark tea, but also played an important role in promoting dark tea consumption. In this paper, the characteristics of dark tea and the progress of health effects of dark tea during the past five years were reviewed. The direction for future research was also proposed.

Advances in Aluminum Accumulation and Tolerance Mechanisms in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis)

HUANG Danjuan, MAO Yingxin, CHEN Xun, TAN Rongrong, WANG Hongjuan, WANG Youping, GONG Ziming

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 125-132. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.002

Abstract ( 570 )

PDF (663KB) ( 306 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

Tea plant is an aluminum (Al) hyper-accumulator with higher Al content than other plants, but no obvious damage symptoms. In this paper, aspects including the Al absorption, transportation, content and distribution characteristics in tea plant are reviewed. Furthermore, the influence of Al on the growth and development, the Al tolerance mechanism of tea plant are summarized. Meanwhile, future studies on aluminum tolerance mechanisms of tea plant are also briefly discussed.

Infestation of Ectropis obliqua Affects the Catechin Metabolism in Tea Plants

RAN Wei, ZHANG Jin, ZHANG Xin, LIN Songbo, SUN Xiaoling

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 133-139. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.003

Abstract ( 433 )

PDF (257KB) ( 251 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

In this study, the effect of feeding by Ectropis obliqua on the catechin pathway of tea plant was analyzed. The transcriptional levels of catechin-related genes and the contents of individual catechins in the infested or intact leaves were measured. The transcriptional level of CsANR in the infested leaves was significantly higher than that in the intact leaves 3, 6βh and 12βh after infestation. Meanwhile, the infestation of E. obliqua also significantly induced the expression level of CsLAR after 6βh and 12βh. The contents of gallic acid, gallocatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate were significantly induced 24βh after infestation. Moreover, the contents of gallic acid and gallocatechin were also significantly induced 48βh after infestation. However, the infestation of E. obliqua didn’t induce the increases of catechin, epigallocatechin and gallocatechin gallate. In a word, the infestation of E. obliqua affected catechin metabolism in tea plant.

Field Application Technology of Sex Pheromone on Ectropis grisescens

LUO Zongxiu, SU Liang, LI Zhaoqun, LIU Yan, CAI Xiaoming, BIAN Lei, XIN Zhaojun, CHEN Zongmao

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 140-145. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.004

Abstract ( 532 )

PDF (859KB) ( 175 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

Ectropis grisescens Warren is a severe defoliator species that seriously affects the quality and production of tea in China. In order to provide guidance for using sex pheromone of E. grisescens in the field, the effect of sex pheromone dispenser, trap type, height and interval were compared and determined. The results of field trials showed, isoprene septa dispenser was more suitable than silicone septa dispenser and PVC capillary tubing. Sticky wing trap was the most appropriate trap among five types of traps. Trap set 25βcm above tea plant, and 15βm between interval were determined as the best operational parameters to catch E. grisescens male moth. The results provided scientific basis to develop effective protocols for using the sex pheromone to attract and kill E. grisescens male moth.

Cloning and Expression Analysis of Small GTPase (CsRAC5) under Cold Stress in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis)

YE Xiaoli, PAN Junting, ZHU Jiaojiao, SHU Zaifa, CUI Chuanlei, XING Anqi, NONG Shouhua, ZHU Xujun, FANG Wanping, WANG Yuhua

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 146-154. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.005

Abstract ( 358 )

PDF (1497KB) ( 248 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

Small GTPase binding proteins are a kind of important signal transduction proteins, which are involved in various life activities of plants. However, few relative studies were reported in tea plants (Camellia sinensis). Here, a small GTPase binding protein named CsRAC5 was cloned by using a cDNA template from tea cultivar ‘Longjingchangye’. The results showed that the length of its open reading frame (ORF) is 597βbp, encoding 198 amino acids. It has a conserved Rho domain which belongs to ROP family. Multiple alignment of CsRAC5 with homologue genes in other plant species showed that their identity could reach 95.96%. CsRAC5 is a hydrophilic protein with the theoretical relative weight of 21.79βkDa. The subcellular assay showed that CsRAC5 was localized in the nuclear and membrane. In addition, the results of RT-PCR analysis showed that the highest expression level of CsRAC5 was in leaves but the lowest in pollen. The expression level of CsRAC5 was decreased under cold stress.

Phenotypic Traits and Genetic Diversity of Elite Tea Population in Anhui（China）

DING Zhou, LI Yexin, YUAN Yi, WANG Haiyan, LIU Xueshi, JIANG Changjun

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 155-161. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.006

Abstract ( 557 )

PDF (862KB) ( 127 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

Anhui is an important tea-producing province in China, with widely distributed tea germplasms. In this study, the phenotypic traits were compared among 10 elite populations after preliminary screening. Subsequently, phylogenetic tree analysis with SSR markers was performed to analyze the genetic diversity of populations in the 10 areas. These results had important theoretical and practical significance for exploration and utilization of the resources, protection of tea germplasm, as well as breeding of superior varieties.

Bioinformatic Analysis of MYB Transcription Factors Involved in Catechins Biosynthesis in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis)

ZHANG Yue, HU Yunfei, WANG Shumao, KE Zixing, LIN Jinke

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 162-173. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.007

Abstract ( 563 )

PDF (1655KB) ( 254 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

Six MYB transcription factors involved in the biosynthesis of catechins were obtained from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) transcriptome database. Bioinformatic analysis including the physicochemical properties and structural functions of proteins, nuclear localization signal (NLS), protein conserved domain (PCD) and phylogenetic tree analysis were performed. The results demonstrated that the 6 MYB proteins involved in the biosynthesis of catechins belong to hydrophilic non-secretory proteins and are predicted to be located in the chloroplasts, mitochondria and nucleus. The main spatial structures are α-helixes and β-turns. Except the comp159173_c0, the other 5 genes belong to SANT super-family group based on the PCD analysis. The phylogenetic tree analysis shows that 6 MYB proteins are classified into 4 groups, indicating a distant relationship between them. Differential gene expression analysis further confirmed the close correlation between the 6 transcription factors and the catechin biosynthesis.

Anthocyanin Accumulation and Expression of Synthesis-related Genes in Leaves of Different Developmental Stages in Camellia sinensis cv. Zijuan

JIANG Huibing, SUN Yunnan, LI Mei, DAI Weidong, SONG Weixi, TIAN Yiping, XIA Lifei, CHEN Linbo

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 174-182. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.008

Abstract ( 542 )

PDF (987KB) ( 243 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

In order to explore the regulatory factors and structural genes of anthocyanin biosynthesis in leaves of different developmental stages in C. sinensis cv. Zijuan, anthocyanin contents and compositions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass, and the expression of synthesis-related genes were tested by RNA-sequencing and digital gene expression (DGE) profiling technology. HPLC-MS analysis showed that the anthocyanin content was consistent with color changes, increased firstly and then decreased with the leaf positions of Zijuan, with the highest anthocyanin content in the second leaf (9.87βmg·g^-1) and the lowest content in mature leaf (0.11βmg·g^-1). DGE determination results showed that the expression levels of PAL gene were relatively high in bud, second leaf and open surface leaf, but low in mature leaf. C4H, 4CL, CHS, CHI, F3H, F3'H, F3'5'H and ANS showed a pattern of declining expression as PAL in different leaf positions of Zijuan. FLS was firstly up-regulated in the second leaf and then declined in the mature leaf, which was consistent to the anthocyanin changes. DFR showed no clear expression pattern. GT and ACT exhibited similar expression patterns, which were up-regulated in the second, open surface and mature leaves. ANR and LAR showed similar expression patterns, which were high in bud, second and open surface leaves, but low in mature leaf. The gene expression of bHLH, MYB and WDR showed different expression patterns in different leaf positons of Zijuan. These results suggested that the temporal expression specificities of structural and regulatory genes may significantly affect the accumulation of anthocyanin in Zijuan.

Cloning and Expression Analysis of CsSnRK2.1 and CsSnRK2.2 Genes in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) under Abiotic Stress

ZHANG Yongheng, WANG Siqing, CHEN Jiangfei, WANG Weidong, ZHOU Tianshan, XIAO Bin, YANG Yajun, YU Youben

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 183-192. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.009

Abstract ( 402 )

PDF (1904KB) ( 203 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

Sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase (SnRK) is a kind of serine/threonine protein kinases widely exist in plants. Among them, members of SnRK2 family play a vital role in plant response to stresses. In order to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Camellia sinensis SnRK2 in response to abiotic stresses, two SnRK2 genes from tea plant were cloned and named as CsSnRK2.1 (GenBank accession code: MG026837) and CsSnRK2.2 (GenBank accession code: MF662805) respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that they contained 358 and 337 amino acids respectively, which harbored a conserved ATP binding site and Ser/Thr kinase domain and were highly similar to SnRK2 protein kinase of Arabidopsis thaliana and maize. The expression of CsSnRK2.1 was transiently induced and then decreased by high salinity (100βmmol·L^-1 NaCl), drought (20% PEG6000) and ABA(100βμmol·L^-1) stress, but showed no significant changes under low (4℃) or high temperature treatments (38℃). By contrast, CsSnRK2.2 was strongly induced by high salt and temperature treatments. The results revealed that CsSnRK2.1 and CsSnRK2.2 might be closely related to stress responses in tea plant.

Full-length Transcriptome Analysis of Protected Cultivation ‘Yuncha 1’ (Camellia sinensis Var assamica)

ZHU Xingzheng, XIA Lifei, CHEN Linbo, SUN Yunnan, TIAN Yiping, SONG Weixi, JIANG Huibin

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 193-201. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.010

Abstract ( 591 )

PDF (860KB) ( 386 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

To explore the genetic basis for important traits, the full-length transcriptome of the ‘Yuncha 1’ (Camellia assamica) was sequenced by using PacBio Platform. A total of 213β389 polished consensus were generated, 223β120 coding sequences were predicted and annotated, and 195β062 SSR loci were found. According to NR databases, 170β264 homologous sequences were mapped to 980 species, 103β124 unigenes were further annotated and grouped into 26 functional categories in KOG databases, 65β524 unigenes were annotated against GO database and divided into cellular component, molecular function and biological process categories with a total of 55 functional groups. KEGG pathway analysis showed that 105β972 unigenes could be broadly classified into 216 metabolism pathways according to their function, and some of them were involved in quality, bioactive substances, and resistance gene, etc. It is also predicted that there were 5β785 transcription factors belonging to 60 transcription factor families. The experimental results will give important data for development of SSRs of specific traits, genetic analysis and studies involved in quality formation and resistence mechanism in tea cultivar ‘Yuncha 1’.

Application of Biological Treatment Technology of Earthworm in the Utilization as Fertilizer of Industrial Tea Residue

ZHOU Bo, TANG Hao, LI Jianlong, CHEN Yiyong, TANG Jinchi

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 202-211. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.011

Abstract ( 391 )

PDF (839KB) ( 145 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

To explore the effective use of industrial tea residue in tea garden, the engineering earthworms were used to treat tea residue mixed with cattle waste and rice straw in this experiment. The growth and reproduction of earthworms as well as changes of fertility properties in tea residue compounds were also studied. The results showed that earthworms could grow and breed normally in the compound materials with 20% tea residue and the vermicomposting of tea residue compound materials can be successfully completed. Compound materials with 20% tea residue and 80% cattle waste were optimal for breeding of earthworms. While materials with 20% tea residue and 80% rice straw were optimal for growth of earthworms. Some organic carbons were consumed during the vermicomposting process. While the efficiency of nitrogen, availability of phosphorus and efficiency of potassium were increased by 23.24%-46.96%, 16.26%-25.63% and 14.08%-33.84% respectively. In summary, the earthworm biological treatment could be applied for the utilization of tea residue as fertilizer. However, a mixture of tea residue with cow dung, rice straw and other materials was needed, with an optimal tea residue content of 20%.

Effects of Green Tea Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress Induced by Passive Smoking in Mice Lung

SHI Chunlin, LI Xiaohuan, HUANG Xiangxiang

Journal of Tea Science. 2018, 38(2): 212-220. doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2018.02.012

Abstract ( 447 )

PDF (1258KB) ( 148 )

References | Related Articles | Metrics | Cite this Article

The objective of the study is to investigate the intervention effects of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on oxidative stress induced by passive smoking in mice lung and its possible mechanisms. Forty healthy Kunming mice (female) were randomly divided into 4 groups including normal control group (C), passive smoking model group (M), GTP treated group 1 (GTP1, 100βmg·kg^-1) and GTP treated group 2 (GTP2, 200βmg·kg^-1) respectively (n=10). All mice were killed after treating with GTP for 12 weeks. The morphology and quality of lung, the oxidative stress of serum and inflammatory level were determined. The mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes including interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 33 (IL-33), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) were measured by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Compared to M group, the life quality and pulmonary morphology of mice in GTP1 and GTP2 were significantly improved, and T-SOD and GSH-Px activities in serum were also significantly enhanced. But MDA, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in serum were decreased significantly. The mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-33, TNF-α and IL-1β were also declined in GTP groups, which were clearly dose-dependent. These results showed that GTP could protect lung against damage of passive smoking and remain the integrity of lung tissues by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine expression and improving the antioxidant capacity.

Table of Content