Abstract
This study was carried out to gather basic data on the restoration and extent of Don tea (a coin-shaped tea), the traditional tea of Korea. We examined the physicochemical components and anti-microbial activity of Don tea extracts at 0, 5 and 10 months. The Hunter value $L^*$, of Don tea extracts which were matured for 10 months decreased from 7.01 to 4.97 compared to that when the extracts were first manufactured. However, the $b^*$ value increased from 0.09 to 2.67. There were higher contents of inorganic matter in Don tea extracts following manufacture in the order of K (14.12 mg/100 mL), Mg (0.94 mg/100 mL), P (0.88 mg/100 mL), Ca (0.16 mg/100 mL) and Mn (0.16 mg/100 mL). Classified catechins contents were found in the order of C (19.97 mg/100 mL), EGC (9.30 mg/100 mL), ECG (9.02 mg/100 mL), GCG (8.50 mg/100 mL), GC (7.61 mg/100 mL) and CG (5.63 mg/100 mL). The longer the maturation period of the Don tea extracts, the lower the contents of inorganic matter and catechins. However, this did not apply to the total phenol contents, particularly in the phenol contents of Don tea extracts matured for 10 months which increased by 93.82 mg/l00 mL. Don tea extracts which were matured for longer periods showed higher anti-microbial activities against Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus mutans. However, there were lower activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. Consequently, it was concluded that a shorter maturation period was required for the effective utilization of the inorganic matter, the catechins and the gram-negative bacteria in the Don tea extracts. However, a longer maturation period of 10 months was found to effectively utilize the total phenol compound contents and the gram-positive bacteria.
