EXTRACTION, IDENTIFICATION AND DETERMINATION OF CAFFEINE AND TRACE METALS IN THREE TYPES OF TEA LEAVES

Sufficient amounts of caffeine were extracted from Kabbos and Wazzah tea leaves, while traces of caffeine were found in green tea leaves which may be due to unriped tea leaves. Extracted caffeine was identified by UV and IR spectroscopy which offered spectra matching precisely the standard caffeine crystals which confirmed the purity of caffeine and the efficiency of extraction methods. Moderate amounts of sodium, potassium and calcium were found in the three types of tea leaves while lithium was found in traces. The results indicated the presence of necessary elements for the metabolic activities of tea plants and humans who take tea drink with their meals.