Accumulation of fluoride and aluminium related to different varieties of tea plant

Samples of young shoot, mature leaf, twig, root, and litter were taken from four recently bred varieties Zhe-nong 113, Zhe-nong 121, Zi-sun, and Bi-feng grown at two tea plantations located at Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces. The results showed that the concentrations of F and A1 in tea plants were significantly different among the four varieties. It is therefore possible that F and A1 concentrations in tea products can be reduced through variety selection. The results also revealed that old leaves would be the major contribution to the high levels of F and A1 in brick tea since it is produced mainly for old leaves. Therefore, in order to eliminate the hazard of over-exposure to F and A1 derived from tea, younger shoot should be used for making tea products while mature leaves should be avoided. Copyright © 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.