Variation of elastase, collagenase, tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant potential of different tea cultivars

Sri Lankan tea germplasm consists of over 600 accessions, and currently, 70 cultivars are recommended for commercial cultivation. However, the skin whitening and anti-aging effects of Sri Lankan tea cultivars/accessions have not been reported. In this study, tea leaves and black tea of fifteen tea cultivars were tested for their anti-oxidative and enzyme inhibitory potentials against elastase, collagenase, and tyrosinase enzymes for the first time. All samples were evaluated for their total polyphenol, caffeine, and individual catechin contents, and the results significantly differed among tea cultivars. The antioxidant potential of black tea and tea leaves significantly varied among the tea cultivars used. The enzyme inhibitory potential on tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase inhibitory potential in black tea were varied among the tea cultivars, with the IC50 ranged from 208.82 ± 5.18 to ≥ 1200 ppm, 36.71 ± 6.38 to ≥ 600 ppm, and 786.31 ± 2.33 to ≥ 1300 ppm, respectively. None of the tested tea cultivars resulted in strong collagenase inhibitory potential. This study concludes that, among the tested tea cultivars, black tea manufactured using tea cultivars TRI 4004 and TRI 4049 and both tea leaves and black tea manufactured from TRI 4053, TRI 3017, and TRI 4061 exhibited remarkable anti-aging and skin-whitening properties. The findings of this study could be utilized for the selection of tea cultivars/accessions for the manufacture of speciality tea with functional properties and also to promote Sri Lankan tea in the global market.