Center of Studies of Biological Research and Evaluation (CEIEB in Spanish) Pharmacy and Food Institute University of La Habana Ave.

23 # 21425 e/ 214 y 222, La Coronela, La Lisa. C.P. 13600, Habana City, Cuba.

Date: 14.05.10
I. PURPOSE To assess antioxidant capacity of Guayusa (why-you-sa) Tea from in vitro model: Ferric Reduction Antioxidant Power (FRAP) II. ESSAY SAMPLE DATA Product Name: Guayusa (why-you-sa) Tea Requested by: Runatarpuna Exportadora S.A. Method rationale 3+ It consists in measuring the sample's capacity to reduce ferric iron to ferrous iron. The Fe -TPTZ complex is placed on the reaction mean of 2+ a low pH, this complex when in presence of reducing agents is reduced to Fe -TPTZ that develops into an intense blue color with a maximum absorption of 593 nM. Essay conditions benefit the complex reduction and are set in order for the color formation to occur only with sample effect added and not because of artifactual causes. Studies are made by establishing comparisons with control groups, blanks or masters, pursuant to that set forth in the study protocol in regard. In this particular case after studying the sample, a colored sample was prepared in addition to the white color referred to in order to prevent interferences caused from this situation. IV. RESULTS The antioxidant assessment of the product, was made through FRAP method (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), as previously described it allows measuring the total antioxidant power assessing the reducing capacity of ferric iron in natural extracts, mixture of the same, biologic extracts and also isolated chemical compounds. Results obtained are shown in Table 1. On the same table there are mean values + standard deviation for at least 5 replicates. Statistical analysis was made for the sample by comparing it with a known antioxidant: Vitamin C. Table 1. Reducing Capacity of Ferric Iron from Guayusa Tea.

PARAMETER

Guayusa I
(a)

Guayusa II
(a)

VITAMIN C
(b)

Reducing Power (M)

1065.12 52.04.

1018.48 42.25.

415.23 12.45 (1mg/mL) p>0.05.

Legend: PRODUCTS with at least one letter in common dont have significant differences

As it can be observed the product showed values of higher reducing power, even higher than those of Vitamin C, a compound that is known to have reducing capacity and considered as a powerful antioxidant agent, therefore, it can be a highlight that the product shows a high antioxidant activity in the essay model. However, it is valid to say that these results may be associated to two basic elements: the chemical composition majority or the concentration used from the product, which could have been a bit higher than that of Vitamin C. In regard to the compound we can point out the presence of high percentage of reducing compounds such as phenolic structures or also because of the presence already proven of other products with antioxidant features known in the last decades: those known as Xanthines and within these, caffeine as the majority. In the two samples assessed there are no significant differences, even when results were slightly higher for Guayusa I, that is Guayusa contained in carton.