Unveiling Fermentation Effects on the Functional Composition of Taiwanese Native Teas
Journal
Molecules
Series/Report No.
Molecules
Journal Volume
31
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
171
ISSN
1420-3049
Date Issued
2026-01-01
Author(s)
Kuo, Chih-Chun
Lu, Jheng-Jhe
Yang, Fu-Sheng
Cheng, Yu-Ling
Sung, Yi-Jen
Chiou, Chiao-Sung
Huang, Hsuan-Han
Su, Tsung-Chen
Tsai, Hsien-Tsung
Abstract
Tea’s chemical composition is influenced by cultivar, harvest maturity, and growing environment; however, processing remains the dominant factor shaping final quality. Despite the diversity of Taiwanese native teas, systematic comparisons of functional components across multiple manufacturing stages remain limited. In this study, nine representative Taiwanese teas were evaluated at four key processing stages—green tea (G), enzymatic fermentation (oxidative fermentation, F), semi-finished tea prior to roasting (S), and completed tea (C)—to clarify how enzymatic oxidation, rolling, and roasting alter major bioactive constituents. Green-tea-stage samples exhibited clear cultivar-dependent profiles: large-leaf cultivars contained higher catechins and gallic acid, whereas bud-rich small-leaf teas showed elevated caffeine and amino acids, with amino acids further enhanced at higher elevations. Fermentation intensity governed the major chemical transitions, including catechin depletion, gallic acid formation, accumulation of early stage catechin-derived paired oxidative polymerization compounds (POPCs), and pronounced increases in theasinensins in heavily fermented teas. L-theanine decreased most markedly in teas subjected to prolonged withering. Roasting further reduced amino acids but had minimal influence on caffeine, while rolling effects varied by tea type. Overall, this study provides the first stage-resolved chemical map of Taiwanese native teas, offering practical insights for optimizing processing strategies to enhance functional phytochemical profiles.
Subjects
catechin oxidation
enzymatic oxidation
POPCs
Taiwanese native teas
tea processing stages
theasinensins
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Description
Article number 171
Type
journal article