Mineral Analysis the Infusion of Black Tea Samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Tea infusion is one of the most popular drinks around the world. Since tea infusion is known to contain several essential nutrients, it is considered a healthy beverage. In this study eight different Iranian brands of tea infusion and eleven brands imported tea infusion samples from another country for Cu, Zn, Mn and Al were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after wet digestion. The results of analysis showed that the extraction rates of minerals from dry black tea to infusion tea were for Mn (19.35%), Cu (22.75%), Zn (54.43%) and Al (61.48%). The results obtained from this analysis have shown good accuracy.


Introduction
Tea, the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis species of the Theaceae family, is a popular beverage.Various kind of teas including: black, green and oolong, but all come from the same plant.The leaves of the tea plant are used both as a social and medicinal beverage.This beverage has been consumed in many countries for a very long time, and today interest is growing because scientific reports indicate that tea could bring benefits for health (Tadayon and Lahiji, 2011;Shen et al., 2009;Ferrara et al., 2001;Dufresne and Farnworth, 2000).One of the most serious problems facing the world today is contamination of the environment by heavy metals.Heavy metals normally occurring in nature are not harmful, because they are only present in very small amounts.But, their excess may cause disease and be deleterious to health.Thus, determinations heavy metal ion levels in the environment is essential and a requisite for human health and safety (Chuanuwatanakul et al., 2008;Tuzen and Soylak, 2007).Heavy metals are mobile and easily taken up by plants in the environment (Chojnacka et al., 2005).In this study eight different Iranian brands of black tea and twelve brands imported black tea samples from another country (Ceylon, India and South Africa) for copper, Zinc, manganese and aluminum were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after wet digestion.Most of the tea consumed in Iran is grown in these northern regions (Gilan and Mazandaran), and some tea is purchased from other countries.The objective of this pilot study was to determine the percent(%) extraction of each mineral that would be consumed per cup.

Materials and Methods
A Varian model Spectra AA-240 (Mulgrava, Victoria, Australia), atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with deuterium lamp background correction was used with hollow cathode lamp(Varian).
Suprapure Merck HNO3, HCL and H2O2 were used in the treatment of tea samples and preparation of standard solutions.All reagents used in the present study were of analytical grade obtained from E. Merck.
Washing procedures: tea sample was washed to remove exogenous contaminants from the surface; therefor each tea sample was washed with deionized water -acetone -deionized water.The first stage of washing tea sample Mineral analysis of dry tea material : Preliminary studies showed that mixtures of HNO 3 -HCl-H 2 O 2 are better than either HClO 4 -HCl or HCl-H 2 O 2 in terms of complete dissolution in a short time.All tea samples were digested by weighing the sample directly (about 1.5g) into a conical sample tube, and concentrated HNO 3 (65%) / HCl (37%) / H 2 O 2 (35%) were added.The samples were heated on a hot plate.After digestion, the sample was diluted to final volume with deionized water.Standard solution of each element was prepared in a mixture of HNO 3 , H 2 O 2 and deionized water.
Mineral analysis of infusion liquid: Infusions were prepared by boiling 50 ml of deionized water and pouring the boiling water about 1.5 g of the dry tea material.The resulting infusion was covered and steeped at 100°C for 10 min.After cooling at room temperature, the steeped infusion was separated and evaporated to dryness.The residue was oven-dried at 70 °C for 3 hours and handled as above for the dry material.

Results and Discussion
The mean levels of manganese, copper, zinc and aluminum in tea different tea leaves samples and their residues are given in (Tables1 and 2).Manganese and aluminum, ranged in black tea samples at mg g −1 levels, while copper and zinc were at μg g −1 levels.The percent extraction (Table 3), provided information on the expected amount of each mineral that would be consumed per cup (50ml).
Manganese is a necessity for the proper function of several enzymes and an essential micro-nutrient for the function of the brain, nervous system, and normal bone growth (Liang et al., 2006).The mean percent extraction manganese content of the black tea samples was 19.35% ( Table 3).
Copper is an essential element, with both deficiencies and excesses associated with impaired health.Copper deficiency is known to cause various physiologic disorders such as anemia and bone abnormalities (Uauy et al., 1998).
The mean percent extraction copper content of the black tea samples was 22.76% (lowest in Iranian teas, highest imported teas), that showed in Fig 1 .Zinc is known to be involved in most metabolic pathways in humans.Zinc deficiency can lead to loss of appetite, growth retardation, skin changes and immunological abnormalities (Reddy et al., 2007).The mean percent extraction achieved for zinc in cultivated teas and imported teas, 49.75% and 59.10%, respectively.
Al concentrations in all the tea samples analysed are relatively high.The percent (%) extraction of aluminum in cultivated teas and imported teas were found 55.40% and 67.57%, respectively.The mean extraction of Al was 61.48%.Although tea leaves and leaf infusions contain high concentrations of Al, only a small proportion of it is available for absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract (Flaten, and Lund, 1997;Powell et al., 1998).Average extraction rates were best for Al (61.48%), followed by Zn (54.43%),Cu (22.75%) and Mn (19.35%).The mean percentage of Al in cultivated teas was lower than imported teas, and The mean percentage of Mn, Zn and Cu in imported tea samples were relatively higher than cultivated tea samples.

Conclusion
Average extraction rates were best for Al followed by Zn, Cu and Mn.The amount of Al in a cup of the Iranian cultivated black teas was perfected than imported black teas, and no cause to concern.Contributory factors for this difference in the minerals studied in Iranian black tea samples and imported tea samples could be varying metal concentrations in the soils, and the conditions of cultivation and preparation, and these vary between both country of origin and for the type of tea.
deionized water for 30 min, then acceton for 10 min.and end stage with deionized water for 15 min.The tea sample was oven-dried at 70 °C for 3 hours.

Samples Number of samples Mn (mg/g) Cu (µg/g) Zn (µg/g) Al (mg/g)
Tab.1 Mean levels of metals in black tea leaves The quoted SD values are on the basis of range of elemental concentration determined in different tea samples.Percent (%) extraction of studied metals in black tea samples imported and cultivated in Iran Tab.3 Percent (%) extraction of minerals from dry tea to infusion (50ml) The quoted SD values are on the basis of range of elemental concentration determined in different tea samples.