Fluoride and Calcium in Tea Leaves

The determination of fluoride and the nutritious calcium in infusion of teas are explained. Tea leaves were pulverized and were immersed in boiling water. The solution was filtered and fluoride, calcium and oxalic acid were determined by the ion chromatography. The quantities of fluoride, calcium and oxalate ions extracted from 100 g of tea leaves were calculated. Tea leaves were also immersed in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid and extracted oxalate and calcium ions were analyzed. The free oxalic acid and calcium were extracted in boiling water and the total ones were extracted in hydrochloric acid. The quantity of calcium oxalate was calculated from the total and the free oxalic acids. The free calcium was estimated to be nutritious.