Effects of kaolin (M-99-099) application on antioxidant and phenolic compounds in tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L.O. Kuntze)

Abstract

In this study, the effects of kaolin (M-99-099) applications on the total phenolic and antioxidant contents of tea leaves (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) harvested in three different periods were investigated. For this purpose, four different strategies including standard fertilizer application (T), 3% kaolin+standard fertilizer application (Ka(1)), 6% kaolin+standard fertilizer application (Ka(2)), and control (C) (nothing applied) were used to compare the effects of these strategies on total phenolic content, FRAP values, and DPPH radical scavenging capacities of tea leaves. It has been proven that the kaolin applications, Ka(1) and Ka(2), increase the phenolic content and antioxidant contents of tea samples. While the kaolin applications have higher values at 1st harvest than those of T and C, they have the lowest values at 3rd harvest.