PROCESS FOR REFINING CAFFEINE FROM MATURE GREEN TEA LEAVES (Camellia sinensis L.) USING MODIFIED CABCOXYMETHYL CHITOSAN

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for purifying caffeine from old green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L.), which are the leaves discarded during the production of loose leaf tea, thereby increasing the value of tea cultivation and contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution. The product obtained by the process has a high purity (97%) and can be used as a raw material for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The process according to the invention includes the following main steps: i) material preparation; ii) lipid removal; iii) primary caffeine extraction; iv) first concentration; v) tannin removal using modified carboxymethyl chitosan; vi) second concentration and selective crystallization of caffeine.