2nd
FOOD SCIENCE
2011, Vol. 32 Issue (11): 157-160
DOI:
Anti-microbial Activity of Fermentation Supernatants of Eurotium
cristatum
Abstract The anti-microbial activities of hot water extract from Poria
brick tea, PDA liquid medium and their fermentation supernatants by
Eurotium cristatum against bacteria, fungi, mold and actinomycetes
were determined by filter paper disc method. Meanwhile, the effects of
factors including pH, temperature, UV on the anti-microbial activities of
PDA fermentation supernatant were explored. The results indicated that
both fermentation supernatants had an obvious anti-bacterial activity
but no obvious inhibition effect against yeast and mold. Preliminary
studies on the anti-microbial stability of the PDA fermentation
supernatant showed that it had better stability under each of the
following conditions: 40－120 ℃, UV irradiation for 10 h and pH 2－10.
7, anti-caries effects: Tea contains fluoride, fluoride and teeth of calcium has a great
affinity, can become a more difficult to dissolve in acid and fluorapatite, as to the
teeth with a protective layer to increase the ability of the teeth, anti-acid anti-caries.
8, inhibition of cancer effect: It is reported that the flavonoids in tea have varying
degrees of anti-cancer effects in vitro, the role of a strong the the Vitex alkali, morin
and catechin
Research Progress On Eurotium
Cristataum And Its Metabolites In Fuzhuan
Tea
Fuzhuan tea,Eurotium cristatum,Metabolites,Science Journals
-The Eurotium cristatum is the main germ in the fungus growing process of Fuzhuan brick
tea.Through its metabolism,we not only could improve the quality of tea,but also increase a
great deal of microorganism's bioactive substances.So it has very important practical
significance to study on Eurotium cristatum and its metabolites.In this paper,we reviewed the
research progresses of Eurotium cristatum and its metabolites,discussed the problems existed
at present and made prospects for the future research aswell.
Dark/Fu Tea Extract Profile
Product Specification: 30% polyphenols
Latin Name: Camellia sinensis O. Ktze
Botanical Source: Tea leaf
Raw Material
Powder Extract
Molecular Formula
What is Dark/Fu Tea Extract?
Poria Cocos Brick (Fu Brick Tea) is the top grade in the ancient kind of dark tea. Being
complete ferment tea, Poria Cocos Brick Tea is the most complex and unique brown tea
which has the longest production processing cycle. It products Aspergillus Cristatus, bricklike in appearance, with flourishing golden flowers all over, dark and shining, red and strong
tea soup, mellow to the taste with lasting scent.
What are Health Benefits?
The scientific analysis and the clinical experiment by domestic and foreign experts professor
proved: Poria Cocos Brick Tea contains the many kinds of amino acids, the Vitamin and the
trace elements which the human body needs, and its rich inclusion can effectively block the
formation of carcinogenic microso group compound in human body. The contained steatolysis
enzyme has the decomposition to be greasy, the digestion and reduces human body function
as well as fat compound, cholesterol, three acid anhydride fat.
It contains catechins which contain an enormous amount of hydroxyphenols that are easily
oxidized, congregated and contracted, which explains its good anti-oxidation effect. Its antioxidation effect is 25-100 times as strong as those of vitamin C and E. It is widely used in
medicines, agriculture, and chemical and food industries. This extract prevents cardiovascular disease, lowers the risk of cancer, and decreases blood sugar and blood pressure, as
well as viruses. In the food industry, the anti-oxidation agent used for preserving food and
cooking oils.
Owing to the metabolism of Eurotium Cristatum, Dark Tea produces many enzymes and
small-molecule metabolic substances which can promote digestion, reduce blood fat, adjust
and improve the functions of human body. Although modern science still can’t analyze it’s
chemical composition and action mechanism, the history of several hundred of drinking the
tea in China is enough to show that dark tea has special effect on promoting digestion,
resolving fat and improving metabolism. So it is called as “The mysterious Tea on the
Ancient silk Road of China”.
Dark tea is an indispensable beverage in the daily life if the northwestern minorities in China.
But it was not produced and the vegetables and fruits were short in the northwest before, the
food that the people ate were beef, mutton and cream cheeses, which were difficult to digest,
and easy to make them suffer from disease. Dark tea can not only supplement human body
with essential vitamins, but also resolve fat and grease. So that One Couldn’t Live Without
Tea Only A Day. The important of tea in the life of the northwestern minorities was recorded
in many documents of Chinese history.
Study Confirms Positive Effect of PHatea® on Blood
Lipids - Great News for Type 2 Diabetes
There is a new tool for the arsenal in the war against diabetes and heart disease. A recent
study documents the effect of fermented tea in lowering HbA1c and LDL cholesterol levels
which will aid treating Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.
PHatea for Health Naturally
PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 15, 2011 - Denver, Co – A recent study performed in Colorado of
fermented camellia sinensis tea showed significant changes in HbA1c and LDL cholesterol levels for
participants. Volunteers who had elevated LDL levels were given fermented PHatea, a tea grown and
fermented in the Hunan Province of China, for 120 days. There was a significant decrease in LDL
cholesterol levels and HbA1c as shown in blood test comparisons. Participants also noted a marked
decrease in appetite while in the study. Results point to the value of PHatea consumption as part of
the health program when treating Cardiovascular or Type 2 Diabetes.
Fermented teas are widely consumed in China and have been for hundreds of years. Semi-nomadic
herdsmen rely on fermented tea to aid in digestion of their high fat food diet. Though traditionally
consuming an unbalanced diet of animal protein and grain in an area where, until recently, green
vegetables were not grown, and so rarely consumed, herdsmen do not suffer from hyperlipidemia and
diseases like Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes that would normally be associated with the diet
they consume. A diet not unlike the modern American diet, with its high fat, low vegetable, low nutrient
content. Different from the oxidation process of most teas, Fu Zhuan Tea (PHatea) is fermented in a
32-step process that facilitates the growth of a fungus called Eurotium Cristatum. This is responsible
for the Golden Flower that grows in the tea. The fungus reacts and increases polysaccharides and
polyphenols (theaflavins and thearubigins). Theaflavins and Thearubigins have an antioxidant property
and because they can pass through the blood brain barrier, they may be effective agents against
dementia. Some tea polyphenols have been shown to be effective inhibitors of HIV-1. Polyphenols are
used in dietary supplements and anti-aging creams.
The enzymes produced by the pancreas that are responsible for the metabolism of sugars and fats
are activated by PHatea. The implications of the results of this study speak not only to fermented tea
aiding Cardiovascular and Type 2 Diabetes management, but also to the effect PHatea tea has on
metabolism, weight loss, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and sugar cravings. Anecdotal evidence
indicates the need for further studies to test the efficacy and health benefits of consuming fermented
tea. Consumers report weight loss, less stress, blood glucose levels dropping to normal levels (< 100),
getting off medications and many more health benefits.
PHatea is distributed in the United States. It comes in pressed coins or capsules.
See abstract at: http://www.phatea.com/science/our-research. See full study at:
http://phatea.com/images/stories/docs/Fu-Ryan.FRI.2011.ph...
This study was supported by the project from Hunan Provincial Department of Education, China
(10A048), Key Project of Hunan Provincial Department of Science & Technology, China (08FJ1005)
and Fund of China National Tea Industry Technology Innovation System.
Source: Fu, D., et al., Fermented Camellia sinensis, Fu Zhuan Tea, regulates hyperlipidemia and
transcription factors involved in lipid catabolism, Food Research International (2011),
doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2011.07.008
Visit http://phatea.com or contact PHatea® at 888-490-3638
Drinking PHatea® daily provides a natural way to promote normal levels for people who have High
Cholesterol, Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Obesity. Anecdotal and scientific studies
affirming the effects of PHatea available at http://phatea.com
Lower Cholesterol and Blood Glucose Levels by Drinking
PHatea®
Positive results from a human study in China of daily Fu ZhuanTea (PHatea®) consumption to reduce blood LDL
cholesterolprompted a study in Colorado of a group of volunteers with elevated cholesterol that were not taking
medication for diabetes or high cholesterol.
The Advanced Integrative Medicine Clinic supervised by Dr. Randy Snook conducted the study with a group of
individuals whose baseline LDL levels were between 100 and 200 mg/dl and had HbA1c of greater than or equal
to 6%.
Objective
Positive results in other studies had suggested that daily consumption of PHatea would lower cholesterol and
reduce blood glucose levels. Dr Snook’s objective of the study was to assess changes in blood lipid parameters
for HbA1c after 120 days of daily consumption of PHatea, a fermented tea produced in the Hunan Province in
China. Both tea consuming volunteers and the control group were not prescribed medications during the 120- day
test.
Results
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
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There was a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol levels of test subjects proving PHatea’s assistance
in lowering cholesterol
There was a significant decrease in HbA1c levels of test subjects indicating PHatea’s positive effect on
Type 2 Diabete
After 120 days test subjects reported no adverse effects
Test subjects reported a marked decrease in appetite
Chinese green tea has long been known for the medicinal properties associated with halting the oxidationprocess
by steaming the tea. Steaming the tea deactivates enzymes responsible for breaking down chlorophyll and
producing tannins. Instead of stopping the process, PHatea continues with one or more microbial
fermentationsteps the change the chemical composition of the tea and darken its color.
Unlike most Chinese tea PHatea is fermented in a 32-step process that encourages the growth of Eurotium
Cristatum, a fungus distinctive for its golden flower. When consumed, the fungus reacts and increases
polysaccharidesand polyphenols(theaflavinsand thearubigins).
Polyphenols or theaflavins and thearubigins have an antioxidant property. The health benefits of ingesting
theaflavins and thearubigns have been connected all the way from protection against dementia to inhibiting HIV-1
to aiding in weight loss. Many dietary supplements and anti-aging creams contain polyphenols.
In addition to the health benefits of the antioxidants, PHatea also activates pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic
enzymes control the metabolism of sugars and fats. When they are activated they suppress appetite and sugar
cravings.
Not part of the formal study, test subjects who drank PHatea were asked to track their appetite. They reported a
marked decrease in appetite while drinking PHatea.
Compiled anecdotal evidence has shown that drinking one liter of tea a day for 120 days has reversed blood
sugar levels to < 100, assisted patients in losing eight, controlling insulin sensitivity, eliminating sugar cravings
and lowering blood pressure.
In China tea is part of the culture. PHatea is well-known for its medicinal qualities and is widely consumed in
China for hundreds of years. It is an important component of the diet of herdsmen in China. Existing on an animalbased diet of high fat foods and few vegetables, herdsmen consume fermented tea in order to digest properly and
stay healthy.
PHatea is distributed in the US by The Golden Flower Trading Company and it comes in pressed coinsor
capsules. Both capsules or tea have the same health benefits.
See abstract and full study.
This study was supported by the project from Hunan Provincial Department of Education, China (10A048). Key
Project of Hunan Provincial Department of Science & Technology, China (08FJ1005) and Fund of China National
Tea Industry Technology Innovation System.
Source: Fu, D., et al., Fermented Camellia Sinensis, Fu Zhuan Tea, regulates hyperlipidemia and transcription
factors involved in lipid catabolism, Food Research International (2011), doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2011.07.008
Visit http://phatea.com or contact PHatea at 888-490-3638.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2012 Jul 15;22(14):4650-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.05.088. Epub 2012 Jun
1.
Cristatumins A-D, new indole alkaloids from the marine-derived
endophytic fungus Eurotium cristatum EN-220.
Du FY, Li XM, Li CS, Shang Z, Wang BG.
Source
Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Nanhai Road 7, Qingdao 266071, China.
Abstract
Four new indole alkaloids, namely, cristatumins A-D (1-4), along with six known congeners (5-10)
were identified from the culture extract of Eurotium cristatum EN-220, an endophytic fungus isolated
from the marine alga Sargassum thunbergii. The structures of these compounds were established on
the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Each of these compounds was evaluated for
antimicrobial and insecticidal activity. Compounds 1 and 9 showed antibacterial activity against
Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus, respectively, while compounds 2, 6, and 7 exhibited
moderate lethal activity against brine shrimp. Preliminary structure-activity relationships were also
discussed.
Int J Food Microbiol. 2011 Mar 15;146(1):14-22. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2011.01.024. Epub 2011
Feb 2.
Fungal community associated with fermentation and storage of
Fuzhuan brick-tea.
Xu A, Wang Y, Wen J, Liu P, Liu Z, Li Z.
Source
Institute of Food Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128,
China.
Abstract
Chinese Fuzhuan brick-tea is a unique microbial fermented tea characterized by a period of fungal
growth during its manufacturing process. The aim of the present study was to characterize, both
physicochemically and microbiologically, traditional industrial production processes of Fuzhuan bricktea. Fermenting tea samples were collected from the largest manufacturer. Physicochemical analyses
showed that the low water content in the tea substrates provided optimal growth conditions for
xerophilic fungi. The fungal communities existing in tea materials, fermenting tea, and stored teas
were monitored by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)
targeting the D1 region of the 26S rRNA genes, followed by sequencing of the amplicons. Results
revealed that the microorganisms were from, or closely related to, the genera Eurotium,
Debaryomyces, Aspergillus, Verticillium, Pichia, Pestalotiopsis, Rhizomucor and Beauveria. This is the
first report of Debaryomyces participating in the processing of Fuzhuan brick-tea. We concluded that
the dominant genera Eurotium, Debaryomyces and Aspergillus are beneficial fungi associated with the
fermentation of Fuzhuan brick-tea. The genus Beauveria was present in the stored Fuzhuan brick-tea,
which may help protect tea products from insect spoilage. The remaining four genera were of minor
importance in the manufacturing of Fuzhuan brick-tea. The predominant Eurotium species, a strain
named Eurotium sp. FZ, was phenotypically and genotypically identified as Eurotium cristatum. High
performance thin layer chromatography analysis of anthraquinones showed that emodin existed in all
the dark tea samples, but physcion was only detectable in the tea fermented by E. cristatum. The
PCR-DGGE approach was an effective and convenient means for profiling the fungal communities in
Fuzhuan brick-tea. These results may help promote the use of microbial consortia as starter cultures
to stabilize and improve the quality of Fuzhuan brick-tea products.