Determination of Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Tea Plants at Plantations in the Black Sea Region

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition and oil content of C. sinensis seeds collected from different locations at the Northern Black Sea region.

Study Design: The study based on the collection of tea seed samples from different locations at the the Northern Black Sea Region in Türkiye and comparing their fatty acid composition and oil content of analyzed samples.

Place and Duration of Study: Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Agronomy, Field Crops Department, Rize, Türkiye, between 2022 and July 2023.

Methodology: A total of 54 samples were taken within the scope of determining oil content and fatty acid composition of Camellia sinensis seeds collected from different locations. The location were choosen from different cities concerning altitude. The number of samples taken from the province of Rize is 37, the number of samples taken from the province of Trabzon is 7, the number of samples taken from the province of Giresun is 5, and the number of samples taken from the province of Artvin is 5. Fatty Acid composition was analyzed using GC-MS and oil content with an automated oil extraction device.

Results: Oil ratio and fatty acid composition were determined in these samples. As stated in the literature, oleic acid, which is the criterion of vegetable oil quality, was found to be high in all samples. With Principal Component Analysis, the oil content and fatty acid composition data of the samples were used to reveal the differences in the samples. The obtained data will shed light on future studies.

Conclusion: Knowing the fatty acid composition of tea oils will enable production of oils according to their intended use. For this purpose, it will be possible to produce oils suitable for the purpose by growing the desired types in suitable regions. We have to consider, that seeds were obtained after leaf harvest of tea plants. We can assume that the seed yield will increase if the tea plants are grown only for seed production. With governmental support tea seed oil production will be an potential additional income for local farmers.