Identification and quantification of anthocyanins in promising purple tea cultivars

Abstract

A study was carried out to identify promising purple tea germplasm targeting new tea products for diversification and value addition to enhance the productivity of tea as well as boost economic growth in the tea sector. Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI) is maintaining the largest tea germplasm collection in its National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS). Accordingly nine promising germplasm with purple pigmentation available at TTRI, Jorhat has been evaluated with reference to the major anthocyanins i.e. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, Cyanidin chloride, Malvidin chloride, Peonidin chloride and Pelargonidin Chloride. The selection-7 (St.817) showed the highest total anthocyanin conent (4764.19 μg g-1 fresh leaf) followed by 177/3 (3179.87μg g-1 fresh leaf) and St.293 (2899.16 μg g-1 fresh leaf). The study revealed that selection-7 was the promising clone due to high anthocyanin content and could be recommended for manufacturing speciality tea. The selected cultivar has showed a higher success rate (> 90%) in cleft grafting and single nodal cutting. The results indicated much scope for commercial cultivation and
diversification of tea cultivar for production of purple tea for the growers of NE India.

Keywords: Athocyanins; germplasm; diversification, purple tea