EXTRACTION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY ATTRIBUTE OF TEA MADE FROM HOSPITAL-TOO-FAR (Jatropha tanjorensis) LEAF
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the Study
Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub which originated in the borderlands of southwestern China and Northern Myanmar (Martin, 2007). After water, it is the most widely consumed drink in the world (Alam et al., 2020). Tea has a stimulating effect in humans primarily due to its caffeine content and it is one of the most important functional foods (Cappelletti et al., 2015). The caffeine which gives the beverage its stimulating character but contributes only a little to colour, flavour and aroma. Many beneficial health effects of tea have been attributed to the presence of polyphenols (tannins) which the leaf of hospital-too-far has also been revealed to possess (Alessa et at., 2017). The most important chemicals in tea are the tannins, or polyphenols which are colourless and bitter-tasting substances that give the drink its astringency (Cappelletti et al., 2015). Many tea types have a cooling, slightly bitter and astringent flavour (Penelope, 2010), while others have vastly different profiles that include sweet, nutty, floralor grassy notes. Out of the tea produced worldwide, 78% is black tea which is usually consumed in the Western countries, 20% is green teawhich is commonly consumed in Asian countries and 2% is oolong tea which is produced (by partial fermentation) mainly in southern China (Mukhtar and Ahmad, 2000).
It has also been discovered that high and consistent intake of green tea limits iron absorption in the body which can cause anemia (Filippini et al., 2020). This is due to the presence of the leave constituent and anti-nutrient tannins which can act as chelators, binding to minerals in the tea (iron) and reducing a person’s iron. Owing to tannins present in black tea, its consumption with meal reduces the absorption of non-heme Iron (Fe). Several studies have demonstrated that black tea appears to inhibit the bioavailability of non-heme iron by 79%–94% when both are consumed concomitantly.
Similarly, green tea catechins have an affinity for Iron (Fe) and green tea infusions can significantly decrease the Iron (Fe) bioavailability from the diet (Cabrera et al., 2006).
Teas made from plants, leaves, seeds, flowers, roots or fruits of all plants other than Camellia sinensis are regarded as herbal tea.
Herbal tea are the infusions of fruit, leaves or other plant parts, such as steeps of rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos. It can simply be called tisanes or herbal infusions to prevent confusion with tea made from the tea plant.
According to Ravikumar (2014), the tea consist of one or more herbal substances intended for oral aqueous consumption, prepared by means of decoction, infusion or maceration. Fresh or dried fruits, leaves, flowers, roots, and sometimes even seeds and stems are used for their preparation (Alam et al., 2020). Unlike true teas (green, black and oolong teas), most herbal teas do not naturally contain caffeine (Mathivha et al., 2019).
These teas come in a wide range of tastes and flavours; thus making them a tempting alternative to sugary beverages or water (Dwyeret al., 2013). Herbal teas consumption across the globe are gaining popularity due to their diverse richness in natural bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, carotenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, polyacetylenes and terpenoids (Chandrasekara and Shahidi, 2018). The health benefits of the teas are largely due to the abundance of antioxidants in their preparations, includes: polyphenolic compounds, vitamins and carotenoids which are capable of neutralizing the free radicals in the human body that facilitate the onset of numerous pathological conditions. Accruing evidence suggests that bioactives present in herbals infusions or teas could have adiverse range of biological effects, including potential anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-thrombotic and vasodilatory actions, as well as anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic and anti-ageing effects (Chandrasekara and Shahidi, 2018). Interestingly, varieties of herbal teas are made from any edible plant materials, hence tea made from the leaf of Jatropha tanjorensis.
Jatropha tanjorensis, also known as ‘hospital-too-far’, chaya, catholic vegetable, ugu-oyibo, iyana-Ipaja or lapalapa is a herbaceous plant from the Euphorbiaceae family. The name ‘Jatropha’ was derived from the ancient Greek word “latros” (doctor) and “tropha” (feed) because of its immense medicinal applications (Ravikumar, 2014). The plant is very similar to tree spinach, and it is a natural hybrid between Jatropha curcas and Jatropha grossypifolia. It is a multipurpose plant widely grown and used as a leafy vegetable and medicinal plant in South Eastern Nigeria. The plant consists of about 7,500 species which are drought-resistant perennial and multipurpose trees, similar to the cassava plant (George and Kaine, 2018). It is a deciduous tree that sheds its leaves during the dry season which is typical of all deciduous trees. When fully grown, its height is about 3-5m and remains productive for 30 to 50 years (Elbenri et al., 2008). It is used to stabilize soils against landslides and erosion prevention because of its tap root system (Mathivha et al., 2019). Virtually every part of the plant is beneficial and nutritional in various ways. Its many benefits depend on which part of the plant being used. The leaves are commonly cooked and eaten locally like vegetables such as fluted pumpkin leaves and spinach (Filippini et al., 2020).
The plant (hospital-too-far) possesses several antioxidant nutrients such as phosphorus, selenium, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E (Mathivha et al., 2019). It also contains anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant, anti-diarrheal and anti-bacterial properties. It is used locally in treatment of malaria, ailments associated with the liver and kidney, infertility and improvement of hematologic indices (Albuquerque et al., 2006). Anwar (2007), revealed that it possess significant anticancer, hepatoprotective and pesticidial activity. Additionally, chewing the leaf raw stimulates digestion and makes it easy to pass out stool from the body. The stem-sap has also been revealed to stop bleeding itching of cuts and scratches. The root decoction is used as a mouth wash for treating bleeding gums, toothache scabies and also treat dysentery and venereal diseases (Filippini et al., 2020). The leaf extract, when consumed has also been claimed to be a blood tonic that increases blood volume in human body (Mathivha et al., 2019). It can also be used as an alternative to lettuce in salad preparation amongst other vital usages as reported by many authors (Igbinaduwa et al., 2011). The seed oil of Hospital- too- far (Jatropha tanjorensis)is used for the treatment of rheumatism and paralytic affections (Omorgie and Osagie, 2011). The root is used by traditional medicine practitioners in the treatment of sexually transmitted and urinary track infections. It is also used to treat menstrual pains, irregular periods and to ensure a strong foetus during pregnancy (Ebrahimzadeh et al., 2018).
The leaf extract contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacteria properties which are good for curing skin conditions such as eczema, acne, ringworm, phlegm, and many others (Ravikumar, 2014). The leaf when crushed is also used for treating scratches and blisters preventing infections like ulcers (Nwachukwu, 2018). It is also used as pain relief against conditions such as rheumatism, arthritisand other pains related to the joints and other parts of the body due to its analgesic properties. Phytochemical screening of hospital-too-far leaf revealed that it contains bioactive principles such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones and saponins (Ehimwenma and Osagie, 2007). The oxidant potential of the leaf extract has been investigated and was discovered to have anti-oxidative potential against reactive oxygen species produced in protein energy malnutrition (Omoregie and Osagie, 2011). The leaf contains antioxidant such as dietary flavonoids which has been shown to promote health and prevent diseases in humans (Onaolapo and Onaolapo, 2019). The leaf according to Ravikumar (2014) works wonders in dental health; as the twigs is used to make toothbrushes that are effective against toothacheand for the treatment of swollen gums. The leaf helps control blood sugar levels which is beneficial for diabetics and as well promotes healthy sperm productionhence increases sexual drive (Mathivha et al., 2019)
In spite of the numerous nutritional, physicochemical and health benefits of hospital-too-far as a medicinal leaf, it has not found a wide and easy-usage application in food systems (Nwachukwu 2018). With the increasing consumption of herbal tea, its usage has mostly been localized due to lack of well brewed and processed tea made from its leaf in Nigeria. Hence, extracting tea from hospital-too-far leaf which is of major importance when compared to other parts, is what this research work aim to achieve in order to create a wide range utilization of the plant.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
In Nigeria, a lot of people in both rural and urban areas are suffering from various ailments such as rheumatism, paralytic, sexually transmitted and urinary tract infections. Some also undergo menstrual pains, irregular period and skin diseases such as eczema, acne, ringworm, phlegm as well as liver and kidney problems which hospital-too-far leaf (Jatropha tanjorensis) can be used to treat these ailments. Though countries which are unable to grow this plant are only left with the choice to import it and this situation creates a gap in supply chain of tea leaf being on the high side which causes serious negative nutritional effects for human popular. But the consumption of the plant leaf in form of tea in adequate amount contributes immensely towards numerous human nutritional benefits for body growth against diseases. This tea contains anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial properties which are of great benefits to human health. Hospital-is-too-far leaf is one of the locally available but under-exploited nutrient sources in Nigeria (Roughani and Miri, 2018).
Although, its usage is gaining popularity recently in Nigeria but well known in Mexico (Central America) years ago. It is noteworthy to reveal that its utilization mainly lies in the consumption of the vegetable leaves in soups as well as condiments in some other foods prepared. Hence, this research work seeks to extract and assess the quality attributes of tea made from Hospital-is-too-far leaf in order to create a wide range of utilization of the plant leaf and possible considering its immense health benefits.
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.3.1 Main Objective of the Study
The main objective of this study aimed at extracting and assessing the quality attributes of tea made from hospital-too-far (Jatropha tanjorensis) leaf.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives of the Study
The specific objective of this study are:
- to extract tea from hospital-too-far (Jatropha tanjorensis) leaf.
- to assess the nutritive attributes of the tea made from hospital-too-far (Jatropha tanjorensis) leaf.
iii. to assess the health benefits associated with the consumption of the tea made from hospital-too-far (Jatropha tanjorensis) leaf.
- to determine the microbial, phytochemical, vitamins, mineral content and sensory attributes of the tea made from hospital-too-far (Jatropha tanjorensis) leaf.
1.4 Justification of the Study
This research work aimed at discovering the nutritional status embedded in the consumption of the Hospital-is-too-far leaf compared to other plants leaf which might not be in the same proportion. Tea made from Hospital-is-too-far leaf provides cheap and alternative medication anaemia and ailments relating to Iron deficiency, reducing cost for the treatment of diseases, thereby contributing to the growth of health care in general
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