Ke_2025_Food.Chem_495_146491

Premium green tea is a general term for a class of unique and distinctive green teas with different shape. Non-targeted and targeted metabolomics analysis based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry combined with bioassays are used to study the quality characteristics of six premium green teas with different shapes, namely Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshanmaofeng, Yuhuacha, Yongxihuoqing and Xinyangmaojian. A total of 63 marker compounds were identified, including catechins, flavone glycosides, phenolic acids, and hydrolysable tannins. Energy spectrum analysis showed the elemental composition of tea, including major elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and trace elements such as selenium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Furthermore, bioactivity profiling revealed six green teas possess strong antioxidant properties, with Longjing excelling in antioxidants, Biluochun in acetylcholinesterase inhibition, Huangshanmaofeng in alpha-glucosidase/alpha-amylase suppression. This study establishes a foundation for precision modulation of green tea quality through shape-specific processing to optimize functional components aligned with consumer demands.