Effect of Ultra-Violet B on Release of Volatiles in Tea Leaf

Many volatiles in fresh tea leaf are in the forms bound with glycosides and they are released by action of ß–primeverosidase and ß-glucosidase during tea processing. Effect of ultra-violet B on release of volatiles in fresh tea leaves of two tea cultivars, “Maoxie” and “Anhui-9,” were investigated. Types of volatile and their concentration increased when ultra-violet B was applied at 3.0 μmol m−2 s−1 for 2 h and then decreased as the irradiation was extended to 6 h. The relation of expression of ß–primeverosidase and ß-glucosidase genes to the release of volatiles were also discussed.