• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 2013

The cytotoxicity of coffee-like green tea (CLGT) was determined in a human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7; a human prostate cancer cell clone, PC-3; a human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH; and a rat cardiomyoblast cell line, H9c2, with reference to green tea leaves (GTL). The CLGT was prepared by roasting the GTL for 60 min at $240^{\circ}C$ in a temperature-controlled frying pan. The CLGT preparation imitated the flavor and taste characteristics of coffee fairly well according to sensory analysis. The CLGT preparation had no adverse cytotoxic effects on the cancer cells or the normal cells compared to GTL. No significant change in the antioxidant activity was seen in the CLGT preparation compared to that of GTL. The amount of total protein, sugar, and phenolic compounds was reduced in the preparation relative to those in GTL, a fact that might explain the coffee-like flavor and/or taste characteristics of the CLGT preparation. These results suggest that CLGT prepared by roasting GTL for 60 min at $240^{\circ}C$ does not show any adverse effects on cancer cells and normal cells compared to GTL. They imply that CLGT could be safe for human consumption.