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EFFECT ON ODOR

It has been reported that tea has an effect on various kinds of odors. Here are three examples. First is the effect on halitosis. It is known that the causes of halitosis are the remains of foods adhered on teeth and bacteria generated in mouth. Green tea catechins are reported to kill the smell of foods by combining with the elements in foods, such as allyl sulfide in garlic and tri-methylamin in fish. Also it is reported that green tea catechins directly combine with Mechirumekabutane, one of the causes of halitosis, and kill its odor. It is also known that green tea catechins kill bacteria that cause halitosis and control the bacteria to adhere to teeth or breed. Those effects of green tea catechins on halitosis are put into practical use as they add catechins in chewing gum and pills to control bad breath. There are also reports that green tea catechins have effect on ammonia smell that is the cause of room odor and home-aldehyde that is produced from plywood, a building material. Aldehyde is known that it combines with flavin-3-all, such as green tea catechins(Fig.1(B)). This function is utilized in anti-odor filters for airconditioner. The third effect on odor is against feces of livestock. When foods containing green tea polyphenol are fed continuously, the composition of bacteria in feces change and the odor of feces is reduced.

(Kyouji Yoshino)