Antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) seed and its pericarp

Abstract

The present study evaluates antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of seed and its pericarp of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.). Water and methanol extracts of tea seed and pericarp were prepared in a shaking incubator overnight at room temperature. The highest total phenolic contents, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, reducing power, β-carotene bleaching inhibition activity, highest tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and AChE inhibitiory activity were found in the methanol extracts of pericarp. Caffeine, gallic acid, several phenolic compounds, hydroxymethyl furfural, and fatty acid derived compounds were detected in the extract of tea seed and pericarp. The results indicate that seed and pericarp could be utilized as the potential resources for antioxidant ingredients in food industry. In addition, these compounds may protect Alzheimer's disease as they had inhibitory activity of acetylcholine esterase.