Environmental impact on Anthraquinone findings in organic Darjeeling Tea A. Romanotto1, K. Gassert2, F. Muetze1, J. Langner1 1. PiCA GmbH, Rudower Chaussee 29, 12489 Berlin Germany 2. Teekampagne , Pasteurstr. 6-7, 14482 Potsdam Introduction In recent years, tea (camelia senesis sp.) has been viewed more and more AQ is regulated in EU Guideline 396/2005 with the MRL of 0.02 mg/kg critically because some substances, which are untypical for tea, such as for tea [1]. The goal of this study is to locate the sources of AQ on the anthraquinone (9,10-anthraquinone, AQ) have been found. The origin of basis of extensive testing and analysis of the teas and their AQ cannot be precisely located, so in spite of the optimizing and environment, including different parts of the plants, air, soil, dust as inspection of growth and production processes from planting to well as fertilizers and fortifiers. The study begins with tea samplings in packaging, many final products are not marketable. Because of its October 2015. The last samples were taken in April 2016. possible use as a pesticide, Study Composition testing volume: 60 tea leave samples from 7 tea gardens To answer the question about environmental impact we defined and 16 additional samples (org. pesticides etc.) tested the following factors (see Results points A., B. and C.) 24 samples of roots and seedlings Nearby we also looked for evidences to rebut the endogenous formation 45 air samples from different seasons: of AQ in tea plant (see Results point D.). October 2015 post harvesting time In this poster we predominatly show the results of plant material and air. January 2016 start of first flash The results of analyses of soil, dust, fertilizers and fortifiers didn’t give April 2016 start of the second flash us conclusive evidence. Results The following data show the distinct provements of the environmental impacts of AQ in tea and will be commented in Conclusions A. altitude factor: LEAVES B. ecological factor: LEAVES C. Seasonal factor: AIR D. foreign tissue: MOSS to check the correlation: altitude/AQ to check the distant effect of AQ to to get the correlation rainy season/dry to get evidences of endogenous amount. Tested altitudes: towns, villages, roads, railway, season-> washing effect of rain on AQ production test model: MOSS factories with/without coal burning 45 samples taken during different seasons and times at the same location, tea garden Ambootia. - exactly the same environment same influencing factors LOQ AQ: 1 µg/kg In tea leaves from Nagri Farm with the numers of - foreign tissue no plant; no similar synthesis pathways factors: 0 (table 1) no AQ findings (table 2). The data show the AQ numers in ambient air at two altitudes and two/three different seasons - no collective metabolism not a parasite In tea leves from Seeyok with the high number of factors - no contact with the ground no assimilation 3, also the AQ numbers present (tables 1 and 2). from the ground table 1. definition of the ecological factors - known as a fine dust absorber from the air [3] Factory, working Number of - Air or air paticulate matter [4] is only the common medium Tea garden with coal City Road factors -> SOURCE for AQ in plant in Darjeeling area A. Nagri Farm ‐‐‐0 B. Sourenee + ‐‐ 1 C. Tindharia + ‐‐ 1 D. Ambootia ‐ ++ 2 At the altitude III: 500 m-900 m. In jan 2016 (yellow field) E. Tumsong ‐ + +2 increase during the day until evening F. Puttabong + + +3 table 3. AQ results in tea and moss G. Seeyok +++3 table 2. corresponding AQ and PAH4 findings PAH/AQ RESULTS in µg/kg in tea gardens Benzan‐ Benzo[a]‐ Benzo[b]flu Sample AQ Chrysene Nagri Farm (NF) and thracene pyrene oranthene Seeyok (Se) Env_LEAF / NF‐I_A T20‐135 <1 ppb <1 ppb <1 ppb <1ppb <1 ppb Env_LEAF / NF‐I_B T20‐136 <1 ppb <1 ppb <1 ppb <1 ppb <1 ppb Env_LEAF / NF‐I_C T20‐137 <1 ppb <1 ppb <1 ppb <1 ppb <1 ppb Env_LEAF / Se_I‐A T20‐79 1.8 < 1 ppb 1.7 1.8 1.5 At the altitude I: 1500 m-2200 m. In jan 2016 (red field) Env_LEAF / Se_I‐B T20‐80 1.7 < 1 ppb 2.5 2.4 1.5 is constant and at the highest level Env_LEAF / Se_I‐C T20‐81 1.9 < 1 ppb 2.1 1.9 1.6 altitude factor presents ecological factor presents ecological factor presents moss tissue higher loaded Conclusions Through clear results we can conclude the following statements in question of environmantal impact of AQ findings in Darjeeling tea: AQ is unlikely to be formed endogenously in the tea plant global environment: contamination caused by worldwide Air seems to be the only common source of contamination anthropogenous influences e.g. accumulation and current release Environmental factors such as the distance to cities, roads, railways: location play an important role of global contaminants due to the melting of glaciers as a result The lower and more inhabited regions (<1500 m) show of global warming ZONE I higher AQ numbers (Initial findings) distant environment: influence of cities and factories or coal Air in the rain free season is more loaded with AQ than mines from Tibet, cigarette factories, etc. within a circle of five after the monsoon thousand kilometers ZONES II/(III) First flush tea, harvested after the rain free time shows higher AQ levels than second flush tea immidiate environment: influence of local traffic and cities in the Environmental impact of AQ can be divided into: region ZONES III/(II) The second main source for AQ in tea ist the withering and drying procedures in tea production, where coal burning is used [2]. [1] Annexes Reg. 396/2005, Regulation (EC) 2015/401, Annex IIIA, Applicable from: 01/11/2014 [2] Romanotto, Gassert, Determination Of The Source Of Anthraquinone In Organic Tea Production, oral presentation, CRF2017‐VIII, Feb 15‐17, Prague [3] Prof. Jan‐Peter Frahm, https://www.uni‐bonn.de/neues/moose‐reduzieren‐die‐feinstaubbelastung/# References [4] photooxidation of anthracene in particulate matter, SCIENCE, VOL. 205, 10 AUGUST 1979 E-Mail: [email protected].