title: Green Tea Versus Traditional Korean Teas: Antibacterial/Antifungal or Both?
abstract: The feasibility of utilizing the antimicrobial activity of naturally available teas was studied. Eleven teas including 2 green teas and 9 other traditional Korean mixed teas were tested for their antimicrobial properties. Antibacterial and antifungal properties were assessed. The results showed that green teas possessed significant antifungal and antibacterial properties, while most of the mixed teas showed some amount of antifungal activity and almost insignificant antibacterial properties. Confocal microscopic imaging revealed mycelial damage as well as attack on sporophores rather than spores/spore germination to be the reason behind the antifungal activity. EGCG was identified as the crucial catechin for antimicrobial activity. The study confirmed that green tea had a clear edge over the traditional mixed teas when it comes to antimicrobial activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioresource and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Manikandan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muthu
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioresource and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gopal
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioresource and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Shang Xiao
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioresource and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Korea. scchun@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Sechul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chun
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D028244:Camellia / Q000737:chemistry*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D013662:Tea
keywords: Antibacterial; Antifungal; Catechins; Green tea; Inhibition; Korean tea