Masters Degrees (Food Science)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Food Science) by Author "Arthur, Hanson"

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    Bioactivity and microbial content of Lippia multiflora leaves, a herbal tea from Ghana
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009-12) Arthur, Hanson; Joubert, E.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Food Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The consumption of herbal teas is an increasing phenomenon among tea consumers globally. However, herbal teas that are not pre-treated to reduce their microbial load are a health risk to consumers, in spite of their potential health-promoting properties. The aim of this study was to develop a steam pasteurisation treatment to reduce the microbial load on Lippia multiflora Moldenke (Verbanaceae) tea leaves, a herbal tea from Ghana, identify the bacteria present, and to evaluate the effect of the steam treatment on the bioactive constituent of the leaves. An HPLC method was developed and optimised for the identification and quantification of verbascoside, the major antioxidant compound of L. multiflora herbal infusion. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to confirm the presence of the compound in the infusion. Ascorbic acid was used as a stabilising agent during the quantification process to prevent the degradation of verbascoside. The hot water infusion of L. multiflora was compared to those of Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) and Cyclopia spp. (honeybush) on the basis of their soluble solids and total polyphenol contents, as well as on their antioxidant activities. In addition to verbascoside, another compound with the same parent and fragment ions as verbascoside was present in the infusion. A 100 ml infusion of L. multiflora had significantly (P < 0.05) higher soluble solids and total polyphenol contents, and antioxidant activities than those of rooibos and honeybush. The rooibos infusion showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher soluble solids and total polyphenol contents as well as antioxidant activities than honeybush. On the basis of soluble solids, rooibos showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher total polyphenol content and a lower ferric-reducing activity than L. multiflora. Both teas, however, did not differ significantly with respect to the DPPH antioxidant activity. The effect of steam pasteurisation on the microbial load of L. multiflora herbal tea leaves was evaluated. Five samples of the tea were steam pasteurised at 99.8°C for 2.5 min and five samples were unpasteurised. Microbial enumeration was conducted in duplicate on potato dextrose agar (PDA), plate count agar (PCA), violet red bile agar (VRBA), yeast peptone dextrose agar (YPDA), and de Man Rogosa Sharpe agar (MRS). Morphologically distinct colonies were isolated, sub-cultured and their Gram reaction recorded. These bacteria were identified to the species level using 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data. Most of the bacteria identified belonged to the genus Bacillus. One species each from the genera Pantoea and Kocuria were also identified, but only the Bacillus species survived the steam treatment. Coliform bacteria detected prior to pasteurisation were not detected after steam treatment. Steam pasteurisation reduced the microbial load from 104 to 102 cfu.g-1. The effects of the steam pasteurisation on the soluble solid, total polyphenol, and the active compound contents of L. multiflora, as well as the antioxidant activities were studied. Pasteurisation did not significantly (P > 0.05) change the soluble solids, total polyphenol and active compound contents, or the antioxidant activity. Steam pasteurisation is potentially an effective method to treat L. multiflora herbal teas prior to consumption. However, the steam treatment should complement good agricultural and hygienic practices rather than replace them as some bacteria can survive this treatment. The identification and quantification of verbascoside in L. multiflora infusion, as well as the relatively higher antioxidant contents compared to rooibos and honeybush should provide the basis for future studies on the therapeutic application of this herbal tea. Also, verbascoside could potentially form the basis for future quality control of L. multiflora.