Recycling of Tea Waste: Simple and Effective Separation of Caffeine and Catechins by Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE)

Authors : Gönül Serdar, Ezgi Demir, Münevver Sökmen

Pages : 78-89

Doi:10.21448/ijsm.288226

View : 19 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2017-07-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study was designed to develop a cost effective green extraction method to separate valuable chemicals from black tea waste insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BTW); and tea dust called “caffeine dust” insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CD);. These materials are totally unwanted residue and treated as rubbish. Two extraction methods were used for extraction of waste materials obtained in three collection periods. In conventional extraction method, material was subjected to hot water extraction at 80 oC for 40 minutes. In microwave assisted extraction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MAE); method, different eco-friendly aqueous solvents insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(water, citric acid-water or ethanol-water); were used under a controlled 600 W microwave power at 80 oC for only 4 minutes treatment in a close microwave system. MAE and conventional method gave similar extract yields for both waste materials but MAE was more successful and economical completing the extraction in shorter time. Using citric acid-water solvent in MAE significantly increased the extraction of individual catechins such as epicatechin insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EC); and epigallocatechin gallate insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EGCG);. This study showed that tea waste could be utilized for production of valuable chemicals using nontoxic solvents at extremely short extraction periods.
Keywords : Tea waste, caffeine, catechins, microwave assisted extraction