Extraction of major catechins from green tea.

Green tea is the second most popular beverages in the world next only to water. \nDue to its associated health benefits, it has drawn the attention of many \nresearchers. These beneficial health effects are mainly owing to the presence of \ncatechins, a group of tea polyphenols which accounts to 12-20% of the dry \nweight of the green tea leaves. The major green tea catechins are: \nEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), Epigallocatechin (EGC), Epicatechin gallate \n(ECG) and Epicatechin (EC). Apart from beverage preparation, green tea extract \ncan be extensively used in the production of functional and health foods.