2025Journal article
Akal GY, Akbaş P
International journal of biological macromolecules
The increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics highlights the need for innovative bioactive packaging systems. This study aimed to develop agar-based biodegradable films co-incorporating deep eutectic solvents (DES) and a DES-extracted, polyphenol-rich matcha extract. Matcha extracts were obtained via ultrasonic-assisted extraction using binary and ternary DES, and their phenolic profiles and quantities were determined by LC-HRMS. During film casting, DES and the DES-extracted matcha were directly incorporated into the agar matrix, with DES simultaneously serving as extraction solvent and plasticizer. Structural and physicochemical analyses (FTIR, SEM, DSC, contact angle, transparency, moisture content, and swelling index) showed that DES strengthened hydrogen bonding relative to controls, improved film structure, and increased thermal stability. Films containing DES-extracted matcha exhibited higher UV-blocking, controlled moisture retention, and suitable optical properties. Antimicrobial tests indicated selective inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans, while blueberry challenge tests confirmed suppression of microbial growth and delayed spoilage, particularly for MDES2. Overall, DES proved an effective green solvent for extracting matcha phenolics and a functional film component, yielding matcha-DES films that offer an effective, sustainable route to active packaging aligned with green chemistry principles.
Abstract text comes from PubMed, OpenAlex or Europe PMC and belongs to the authors and publisher.
Study type
Agronomy / cultivation
Growing, shading and harvesting tea for matcha.
Assigned automatically from the title, abstract and subject terms.
Topics
Matcha is a main subject here (named in the title).
Akal GY, Akbaş P. (2025). Functional biodegradable agar based films from polyphenol-rich matcha extracts via deep eutectic solvents: From microstructure to bioactivity. International journal of biological macromolecules. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148710
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148710 · PubMed ID: 41187852 · Cited by 9 (OpenAlex)
Japanese matcha is a type of powdered green tea, grown in a traditional way. Shading of the plants during the growth period enhances the processes of synthesis and accumulation of biologically active compounds, including theanine,…
ReviewCognition, mood and stressAntioxidants and polyphenolsL-theanine and caffeineCited 321×Matcha green tea (Camellia sinensis), which originates from Japan, is commonly considered as particularly beneficial to health. A large content of polyphenols, amino acids (mainly tannins) and caffeine potentially increase the antioxidant…
Agronomy / cultivationAntioxidants and polyphenolsL-theanine and caffeineCultivation and shadingCited 124×Matcha tea is rich in taste and bioactive constituents, quality evaluation of matcha tea is important to ensure flavor and efficacy. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) in combination with variable selection algorithms was proposed as a fast…
Chemical / analyticalAntioxidants and polyphenolsL-theanine and caffeineProcessing, milling and qualityCited 117×Abstract BACKGROUND The study reports a portable near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy system coupled with chemometric algorithms for prediction of tea polyphenols and amino acids in order to index matcha tea quality. RESULTS Spectral data were…
Randomized controlled trialAntioxidants and polyphenolsL-theanine and caffeineProcessing, milling and qualityCited 114×