title: Metabolite profiling of Camellia sinensis by automated sequential, multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry reveals strong monsoon effects on tea constituents.
abstract: Seasonal variation in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze; Theaceae) chemistry was investigated using automated sequential, multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-GC/MS). Metabolite libraries were produced for teas harvested from the Bulang Mountains in Yunnan, China before and after the onset of the East Asian Monsoon. A total of 201 spring and 196 monsoon metabolites were identified, with 169 common and 59 seasonally unique compounds. An additional 163 metabolites were detected but their identity could not be confirmed. Spectral deconvolution of GC/MS data was used to measure the relative concentrations in the teas. Within each family individual metabolite concentrations increased, decreased and stayed the same. The major constituents in both teas were linalool (28%), geraniol (13%), α-terpineol (10%), hotrienol (4%) and nerol (3%). This work provides the foundation to monitor seasonal variations of tea chemistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kowalsick
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kfoury
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA. Electronic address: albert.robbat@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robbat
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
authors.forename: Selena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Orians
authors.affiliation: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.affiliation: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sean B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: John Richard
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stepp
mesh_terms: D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002681:China; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D012984:Software; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea
keywords: Camellia sinensis (tea); Climate; GC/MS; Plant metabolites; Spectral deconvolution