Catechin transformation as influenced by aluminum

Polyphenols (catechins) are vital biomolecules in tea plants (Camellia sinensis), which are well-known as typical Al accumulators. However, the interaction between Al and catechin remains obscured. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of Al on the transformation of (+)-catechin. Solutions with OH/Al molar ratios of 2.5 (pH 5.5) and 3.0 (pH 7.0) prepared at Al/catechin molar ratios (R) of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 were aged for 7 and 30 days, respectively. The precipitates were collected and examined by wet chemistry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR), cross-polarization magic angle (CPMAS) 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) analyses, and Fourier transformation infrared absorption spectrometry (FT-IR). The weight of the precipitates increased with increasing Al/catechin molar ratios and with prolonged aging. The molar ratios of Al/catechin in the precipitates increased with increasing initial Al/catechin molar ratios and were close to the initial solution Al/catechin molar ratios. The chemical analysis and spectroscopic studies indicated that Al was bonded with catechin, forming a 1:1 type complex. The reaction of crystalline catechin with Al resulted in the formation of X-ray noncrystalline precipitates. The solid-state CPMAS 13C NMR spectra of the precipitates show the change in chemical shifts of catechin as a result of catechin complexation with Al. The FT-IR spectra of the Al-catechin precipitates also show the loss of absorption bands of several functional groups compared with catechin. The FT-IR data substantiate this reasoning. The ESR spectra of the precipitates show a single symmetrical line devoid of any fine splitting, indicating the presence of free radicals of semiquinones, which are commonly present in humified materials.