Functional food ingredients

from tea and other plant

sources

Tu Youying
Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University,
Hangzhou, China
 Three sections
• Current status

• Tea extracts and their functions

• Plant extracts

• Problem-existed
Section1.Current Status
1.1 Functional foods

Most experts would agree on the following definition:

A food can be regarded as functional if it is satisfactorily

demonstrated to affect beneficially one or more target

functions in the body, beyond adequate nutritional

effects.
Talwinder S. Kahlon (the Agricultural Research
Service of the U.S. Department )

“Any food, modified food or food ingredient

that provides structural, functional or health

benefits promoting optimal health, longevity

or quality of life."
Canada
• May be, a conventional food, is consumed as
part of a usual diet, and is demonstrated to
have physiological benefits and/or reduce the
risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional
functions ects in amounts that can normally be
expected to be consumed in the diet.
Japan

• These food products are meant to be used

on a regular basis by the population at large
and are aimed at preventing food-related
diseases and disorders such as
osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, constipation
and a disturbed intestinal microflora.
China

• A functional food is similar in appearance

to conventional foods, has demonstrated
physiological benefits and affect
beneficially one or more target functions in
the body , but not to cure disease.
1.2 Disease / condition Influence of diet (%)

• Cardiovascular > 30
• Cancers > 35
• Constipation > 70
• Obesity > 50
• Diabetes type 2 > 25
• Dental caries > 30
• Tremendous amounts of money and human
death and suffering may be saved by teaching
the population about healthy eating and by
producing modified foods reducing the risk of
these diseases.
• From Finn Holm
• FoodGroup Denmark
 1.3 The market of Founctional Food
1.3.1 U.S Founctional Food Retails Sales ($
billion) 25

• The $23.8 Billion

20
U. S. Functional
Food Market Is 15

Expected to
10
Grow 7%
Through 5

• 2004
0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
• Source: NBJ

Ian Newton, NJ
• INDUSTRY SIZE AND STRUCTURE

Dietary Supplement Industry

($ 18.5 billion) 3.4%, 77.7%

Functional Foods
($ 23.8 billion) 4.4%

U. S. Food Industry
($ 538 billion)
Conventional Foods
Food Ingredients
Beverages
1.3.2 Eu and Japan Functional Food
Market Through 2004

• Europe 21.5 Billion$

• Japan 12.1 Billion$

1.3.4 China Founctional Food
Table1 Export from China in 2004（1-8）
Country Export value Increased
(US Dollar) %
The United States 44550，000 19.09
Japan 26620，000 32.15
Korea 8480，000 80.24
Germany 6930，000 65.9
Italy 4610，000 81.0
France 4570，000 12.52

Philippines 4770，000 104times

Table 2 Export from China in 2004（1-8）
Ocean Export value Increased%
(US Dollar)

Asia 55，480，000 49.62

North America 46，000，000 19.72

Europe 31，150，000 43.17

Ocean State 2，980，000 38.12

Latin America 5，580，000 50.5

Africa 1，470，000 36.48

China resource status
Herb species:12807
Plant Species:11146
320 Specie resources:850 0，000 ton
In 2003 export :
plant extract: 0.81billion US $ 25.3%
Chinese Herb :0.42billion US$ 59%
Chinese Herb extract:0.12 billion US$ 15.7%
• 1.4 Major sources, Major classes, Food
components and Comments of
functional food ingredients, worldwide
 Table 4. Major classes of functional food ingredients, worldwide
Functional food Examples
ingredients
Probiotics Lactic acid bacteria,
Bifidobacteria
Prebiotics Oligosaccharides (fructo-,
galacto，xylo-), resistant
starch, pectins
Vitamins Folic acid, B6, B12D, K
Vitamins
Minerals Calcium, magnesium Zinc
Selenium
Antioxidants Tocols (e.g. vitamin E),C-
vitamin, carotenoids,
flavonoids, green tea
polyphenols
Proteins, peptides Tri-peptides from milk
and amino acids proteins Proteins, peptides
and amino acids
Fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids, GLA,
CLA
Phytochemicals Phytosterols, beta-glucan
isoflavones,lignans, green
tea polyphenols
Claimed health benefits
Improve intestinal microflora and function,
reduce diarrhea and constipation, strengthen
immune system, reduce cholesterol, reduce
colon pathogens and cancers
The same as for probiotics but also increase
of calcium and magnesium absorption
(reduce osteoporosis）
Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases
Reduced risk of osteoporosis
Reduced risk of osteoporosis Strengthen
immune system Cancers
Reduce risk of atherosclerosis, reduce
development of cancers, reduce oxidative
damage of DNA and ageing, anti-
inflammatory
Reduce blood pressure and may influence
physical and cognitive functions
Reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases,
reduce symptoms of arthritis, reduce
climacteric problems, reduce risk of cancers
Reduce serum cholesterol May regulate
hormone-related diseases and hot flush,
cancerdevelopment
Food components Major sources Comments

Tocopherols and Oil seeds, cereal oils, nuts Antioxidant: chain breaker,
tocotrienols singlet
Most fruit and vegetables, Antioxidant: scavenger of
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C e.g. Acerola cherries, citrus radicals and oxidants
activity)
Carotenoids Antioxidant: singlet
Alpha-carotene, Beta- Carrots oxygene
carotene, Tomatoes quencer, secondary
Lycopene, Spinach stabilizer
Lutein, Maize Of other antioxidants
Zeaxanthin Citrus
Cryptoxanthin
Flavonoids Antioxidant: chain breaker,
Anthocyanins Berries and fruit metal
Cyanidins chelator, scavenger of
Quercetins radicals
Catechins Green tea And superoxide. Influences
on
Resveratrol Grapes, wine
Enzymatic reactions
Isoflavonoids Soy Week hormonal effects after
Gernistein conversion in colon
Daidzein
Glycitein
Coumestrol
Food components Major sources Comments

Lignans Week hormonal effects after

Secoisolariciresinol Flaxseed, soy conversion in colon
Matairesinol Flaxseed, soy
Other lignans Cereals, rye
Simple polyphenols Fruit, berries and vegetables Antioxidant
Hydroxytyrosol Olive oil
Caffeic acid
Oleuropein Olive extracts Antioxidant: chain breaker
Ferulic acid Cereals and seeds etc
Phytic acid Cereals and seeds etc. Antioxidant: metal chelator
Fatty acids / lipids Soy Antioxidant: decompose
Phospholipids hydroperoxides, metal chelator
Herb extracts rosemary, Antioxidant: chain breaker,
Rosemarinic acid oregano and sage metal chelator
Carnosic acid
Carnosol
Carvacrol
Dietary fibres Fruit and vegetables Inactivation of carcinogens,
fermentation in colon

From Finn Holm

FoodGroup Denmark
 Section 2. Tea extract

2.1 Tea compounds

• Tea polyphenol 15-35%
• Polysaccharides 10-20%
• Amino acid 2-6%
• Caffeine 2-4%
• Mineral 30 4~7 %
• Vitamin C 0.150~0.3%
Main Catechins in green tea
Main theaflavins in black tea
2.2 Usages of polyphenols on foods and medicine
industry

2.2.1 Food additive

• Excellent antioxidative effect on fat and oil-containing
foods.
• Health-care : eliminating the halitosis, anticaries, anti-
inflammation, etc.
• Chewing gum, toothpaste, deodorizing.
• Food color
2.2.2 Usages of polyphenols on pharmacy:

1. To cure cardiovascular diseases. TP showed good effects on fibrinolysis

and anti-blood agglutination , especially the free catechins, which
possess the ability to prevent platelet from agglutination.
2. To inhibit arteriosclerosis, reducing the possibility of hypertensive and
coronary heart disease.
3. EGCG kill leukemia cell
4. Weight loss
5. Prevent brain damage
6. Lowers cholestreol
7. Anticarcinogenic, it possesses the ability of blocking the formation of
endogenous nitrosoamine which is a carcinogen.
8. To strengthen the capacity of human immunity, antisenescent activity.
9. To enhance the tenacity and permeating ability of blood capillary, and
improve the resistance of blood vessel.
10. improving digestion
2.3 TFs have three major applications:
2.3.1 As intermediates of medicine:
• Numerous studies have found that TFs have effects of anti-oxidation,
anti-cancer, scavenging or inhibiting free radicals.
• TFs are also shown to slowdown tumor spreading, decreasing blood
thickness and preventing heart diseases.
• TFs are more efficient than tea catechins in regulating fat metabolism
and improving blood circulation.
• TFs have also been shown to improve immune system function and
have anti-inflammation effect.
• In addition, TFs can help repair the damage caused by smoking by
increasing the body’s ability to degrade and eliminate the harmful
components in smoking.
• Theaflavins and gallates are also inhibitors of HIV reverse
transcriptase and other DNA and RNA polymerases.
• 2.4.2 As additives in food:
•
TFs can be used as natural pigments and anti-
oxidation agent in natural food. The anti-oxidation
effect of TFs is higher than tea polyphenols, BHA
and BHT.
• 2.4.3 Application in chemical commodity:
Owing to the functions of deodorization,
sterilization, pigmentation, etc., TFs have been
widely used in chemical commodity products such
as shampoo, soap, toothpaste and natural dyes.
2.2.3 Health protection products

(1) immunity modulation food;

(2) blood fat modulation food;
(3) blood sugar modulation food;
(4) anti-aging food;
(5) radiation blocking food;
(6) weight loss food;
(7) food with lead detoxification effect;
(8) throat smoothing food;
(9) facial beautifying food;
(10) intestinal modulation food (microbe activity modulation /
digestion improving /constipation relieving).
 >70% polyphenols
40~45% catechins
Green Tea Extract 70% 7~9% caffeine
>80% polyphenols
>50~55% catechins
Green Tea Extract 80% 7~9% caffeine
>90% polyphenols
>60% catechins
Green Tea Extract 90% <7~9% caffeine
>90% polyphenols
Green Tea Catechins 60% >60% catechins
(Decaffeinated) <1% caffeine
>95% polyphenols
>70% catechins
Green Tea Catechins 70% 7~9% caffeine
>95% polyphenols
Green Tea Catechins 70% >70% catechins
(Decaffeinated) <1% caffeine
•2.2.4 Tea resource
Tea product in the world
前50年世界茶叶产量平均年增长率2.26%
后50年世界茶叶产量平均年增长率7.12%

300

250
product（10000 ton)

200

150

100

50

0
Year
1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Tea Garden Area (10,000 hectare)

300 1.2

255.1
250 240.9 1

200 0.8
163.3
150 0.6

107.5
100 86 0.4

52.6
50 0.2

0 0
1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2000
Tea Export in the world（10,000 ton）
140
132.2

120
113.4

100

80
64.8
60

40 40.64 39.6

20 20.4

0
1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2000
• Soft Tea Baverage Market
 Japanese Tea Baverage Market (Million Box)
3000
Oolong tea
2500 Black tea
Green tea
2000

1500

1000

500

0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 Chinese Tea Beverage Market
(Million Ton)

500
400
300
200
100
0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Chinese Tea product Market
In 2004
Tea extract products
 Section 3. Plant extract
• 3.1 Garlic
• Enteric-coated extract, allicin-releasing potential
standardization136 subjects, RDB,PC + low fat
diet advice no changes in total cholesterol, TGs,
LDL or HDL chol after 12-week treatment; no
changes in plasma glucose, liver, renal function.
Satitvipawee P et al., J Med Assoc Thailand 2003; 86:750-7
 3.1 Garlic: comments
• Other clinical trials, but not 5 recent ones,
show reduced TC
• Some effect in mild hypertension but more
work needed; cancer inhibition (epi,
lab),vascular resistance
• Anticoagulant effect, though
not validated in trial with
warfarin – caution with pre-
surgery, warfarin use.
 3.2 Ginkgo
• Memory and mood, post-menopausal women
• 31 women, RDB, PC trial with ginkgo, 7 days
• Significant differences in non-verbal memory,
auditory serial addition test; not in paragraph
recall, picture recall, planning, mood,
menopause, sleepiness
• Modest effects
Hartley et al., Pharmacol Biochem
Behav 2003; 75(3):711-20
 Ginkgo: comments
• Standardized on ginkgolides, flavonoids;
relax endothelium, inhibit nitric oxide
formation (neuroprotective), antioxidant,
anticoagulant
• 120 trials. Cochrane Review – positive
evidence for dementia; Alzheimer’s –
positive effect (mild); cognitive/memory in
older persons – short-term; long-term?
Tinnitus, intermittent claudication.
• Possible interactions with anticoagulants,
MAO inhibitors. Pre-surgery concern.
 3.3 Ginseng
• Lung function and exercise capacity in COPD
• 92 adults, 3 m dosing, RDB PC of pulmonary
function tests,exercise tests
• Experimental group had
significant improvements
in variety of pulmonary function
tests relative to control
Gross, Monaldi Arch Ches Dis 2002; 57(5-6):242-6
 Ginseng: comments
• Controversial herb used to improve energy,
endurance, sexual performance in Asia; elderly or ill
populations. Many other effects, incl. anticancer,
hypoglycemic, overstimulation.
• Mechanisms of action difficult to elucidate, clinical
trials have been of generally poor design and in
questionable populations.
• Species designation: Asian ginseng, American
ginseng, unrelated species called ginsengs.
• Quality control has been questionable; standardized
preparations generally contain believable
concentrations of ginsenosides
 3.4 Pueraria Root
(Radix Puerariae)
• Effects:
Dispelling pathogenic
factors from the
superficial muscles to
allay fever, promoting
the production of body
fluid to quench thirst,
promoting the eruption
of measles and
invigorating the spleen-
yang to stop diarrhea.
 3.5 Soybean
• Soy isoflavones may
prevent diseases
associated with post-
menopausal women
such as osteoporosis
and coronary heart
disease. A peptide found
in soy flour is a potential
anti-carcinogen.
• 3.6 Lutein
• Health condition
• August 2003 2001
• Eye health 109 75
• Cardiovascular health 46 15
• Breast cancer 27 16
• Skin health 12 6
• Other cancers 96 75
• Immune response 13 5
• Diabetes 9 6

Published Evidence for Lutein

Source: Medline; National Library of
Medicine, National Institutes of Health
 4. Discussion
• 4.1 Dosages
• 4.2 Safety
• 4.3 Protect
• 4.4 Culture
Acknowledgements