Determination of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and Antibacterial Activities of Commercially Available Tanzanian Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the antibacterial activity of green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 708903). Quantitative and qualitative measurements of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have also been reported. The analysis by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the green tea extracts ranging from 13.16 to 18.64 mg/g. Crude extracts GT 01–GT 03 inhibited a greater number of microorganisms and presented the lowest values of MIC against Staphylococcus aureus (0.625 mg/mL), Escherichia coli (0.625 mg/mL), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.25 mg/mL). Crude extract GT 04 presented the highest values of MIC against Staphylococcus aureus (1.25 mg/mL), Escherichia coli (1.25 mg/mL), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.5 mg/mL). This study demonstrates that the popular use of green tea can be an effective and sustainable alternative for the prevention and treatment of various bacterial infections.

Keywords: Camellia sinensis, Antibacterial, Epigallocatechin gallate, HPTLC