ABSTRACT
This study aims to determine the mineral composition
of green teas and herbal tea in the savannah tea plant. Samples of buds, young
leaves and broadleaf stems were collected from wild plants of Lippia multiflora in three localities,
including two from the Center (Yamoussoukro, Toumodi) and one from the
northeast (Bondoukou) of Côte d’Ivoire. The lipid and
ash contents were carried out by the AOAC method. The total protein and sugar
contents were determined by the Kjeldahl and Agbo methods, respectively. Nine
minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, manganese, zinc, copper
and cadmium) were quantitated by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) from
green teas (buds and young leaves) and herbal tea of Lippia multiflora. The results showed that ash levels (7.05% - 13.94%) and protein (6.22% - 9.97%) were high, however the lipid contents (1.01% - 2.98%) and total sugars (1.43% - 4.51%) are low. Majority of the minerals are
calcium (2320.91 to 36150.10 mg/kg), potassium (2110.71 to 12174.67 mg/kg) and
magnesium (3620.87 - 5870.46 mg/kg). Iron (52.55 to 483.11
mg/kg), sodium (35.66 to 469.16 mg/kg) and manganese (15.25 to 76.86 mg/kg) are
represented in average proportions. There are small amounts of zinc (9.61 - 47.50 mg/kg), copper (5.66 - 8.71 mg/kg), and cadmium (0.17 - 1.49 mg/kg). Lippia multiflora herbal teas and green teas are low in fat, high in ash and are good sources of
protein and minerals.