The beneficial aspects in green tea powders are affected by temperature and humidity, according to a study. "People drink green tea for health benefits, so they want the catechins to be present," said Lisa Mauer, a professor of food science.
"The instant powder beverages are becoming more popular for consumers, and it's important to know how storage can influence nutrition of your products," she said.
Mauer found that increased temperature - and humidity, to a smaller degree - speed catechin degradation.
Previous research showed that the powders were stable below the glass transition temperature, the temperature at which an amorphous solid changes from a rigid, glassy state to a rubbery, viscous state.
In that rubbery state, compounds may start reacting with each other faster due to increased molecular mobility, leading to significant chemical degradation.
But Mauer's findings showed that green tea powder degrades at lower temperatures, even below the glass transition temperature.
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"Knowing what's happening to the ingredients is extremely important for understanding the quality of a food or beverage product," she added.
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Source-ANI