ESTIMATION OF CRUDE CAFFEINE IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEA

Abstract

Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid found in various sources such as cocoa seeds, coffee beans, tea leaves, etc. Its content in tea is estimated by methods like spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography, liquid- liquid extraction, etc. In this study, the content of crude caffeine was estimated using techniques like liquid- liquid extraction and thin layer chromatography (TLC). It is the presence of caffeine in tea that keeps us alert and active and enables us to work efficiently when consumed in proper amounts. This aromatic compound on one hand can help fight against diseases like cancer while on the other hand can harm ones health by increasing heart rate and blood pressure and causing mental ailments like depression and anxiety when consumed in small amounts.