Catechins Test - USP-NF

Method Description

Catechins are the naturally occurring antioxidant compounds that give green tea its functional identity—found in the leaves of Camellia sinensis and most concentrated in green tea extract, one of the most widely used botanical ingredients in dietary supplements. Testing catechin content is important for manufacturers who need to verify label claims, confirm ingredient potency, and meet USP-NF identity and composition requirements for standardized botanical ingredients. This method uses UHPLC with diode array detection, following the USP-NF monograph for Powdered Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract, to individually identify and quantify eight catechin compounds—including EGCG, ECG, EGC, and EC—by their unique retention times and UV absorbance signatures.