Determination of Polyphenols, Reducing Potential and FT-IR Analysis of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Leaves Extract for Nanoparticles Synthesis

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is renowned for its therapeutic properties due to its phenolic compounds. Extracts from plants with high polyphenol content possess antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals involved in the oxidation of various molecules. This study investigated the total phenolic and flavonoid content, 1,1-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of commercially available green tea leaves for potential use in the green synthesis of silica nanoparticles. The antioxidant activity of green tea leaves demonstrates its reducing power, which is crucial for utilizing its extract in nanoparticle synthesis. Gallic acid and quercetin served as standards in the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively, to measure total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations. To determine antioxidant content ascorbic acid and gallic acid were standards for the DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP assays. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra was performed to evaluate the green tea extract. The results revealed green tea leaves exhibited high phenolic, flavonoid content and significant antioxidant activity. The presence of few notable vibrational bands in FT-IR graph also confirmed the existence of chemical substances that are associated with antioxidant qualities (polyphenols, flavonoids). Indicating that the green tea leaf extract can act as an effective reducing and capping agent in the synthesis of silica nanoparticles.