The elemental analysis of 11 teas consumed in Turkey is clustered by principal component analyses (PCAs) of metals and plant cluster analyses (CAs), which agree. Samples group into four classes. Elemental PCA and tea CA allow classifying them and concur. The first PCA axis explains 45%; the first two, 71%; the first three, 85% variance; etc. Different behaviours of teas depend on Cu, etc. They are considered as a good source of Mn, etc. Two elemental classes are distinguished: Cu-K-Mn and Fe-Na-Zn. Teas present adequate elemental contents, good antioxidant capacity and may be used as a functional beverage. They represent plants useful as a natural source for nutraceutical formulations.
Part of the book: Tea