Scientists at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, have reported that oil extracted from the seeds of some of the tea varieties grown in Assam may be beneficial to health. They say it is good for the heart because of the high levels of unsaturated fatty acids that have been found in it.
The researchers studied eight tea seed stocks for their biochemical and physical properties and found that in as many as seven unsaturated fatty acids constituted for more than 90% of the total fatty acids, which ranged from 90.49% to 97.79%. Five had high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids which ranged from 49.56% to 63.86%. The findings have been published in the journal, Current Science .
Priyanka Das of the University’s Department of Biochemistry and Agricultural Chemistry, who conducted the study along with her student, Kritideepan Sarmah, said she took up the exercise after studies elsewhere showed that tea seed oil had alternative uses other than in industrial applications such as the production of soap.
Akin to olive oil
Ms. Das claims that in terms of quality, tea seed oil is comparable to olive oil In China, about 15% of the population reportedly uses it for cooking. She said that in India, especially in the Northeast, all the three basic types of tea are cultivated — ‘Assam’, ‘China’ and ‘Cambod’ and their hybrids.
“Tea plants produce large seeds. The kernels, which make up about 70% of the tea seed weight, are rich in oil and can be stored easily. They can also be a source of antioxidants and emollients for skin care.”
The study assumes particular importance for India because there is a widening gap between the demand and domestic availability of edible oils in the country. There is also a demand for oil with a high nutritive value. As India is one of the largest producers of tea in the world, the use of tea seed to produce edible oil could turn out to be a win-win situation.
Currently, tea seeds are almost fully used to produce planting material. Under normal circumstances, seeds can be harvested from the third year onwards. At this stage, the seed yield is about 6.42 quintals per hectare. It doubles after five years of planting and around six times after eight years.
The two scientists did their study on tea fruits collected at two developmental stages: seven and eight months after seed development, and when they are fully matured. — India Science Wire
