Catechin is another very important phenolic
substance present in areca nut in substantial quantity. Its concentration can
range anywhere between 7-25 mg per gram of dry areca nut. The areca nuts of 6-7
months’ maturity were found to contain 24 mg of catechin, compared to the ripened areca
nuts of 9-10 months’ maturity (8.51
mg/g) as per one Indonesian report. Interestingly, areca nuts harvested at 5
months maturity in China (Hainan province) for the production of Bing lang had
only 7.2 mg per gram of dried areca nut, which is lesser than the matured areca
nut.
Catechins are flavanols, which are also called proanthocyanidins or flavan-3-ols. Tea, wine and chocolates are some of the most prominent dietary suppliers of catechins to humans. Red wine, green, black and oolong teas, fruits like plum, apples, peach, strawberry and cherry, and beans and grains like broad bean, lentil and cocoa are rich in catechins. As per one study, Chocolate contributes 20% of the daily catechin intake in the Dutch population, and tea contributes 55%. Mediterranean diets, which are rich in wines and fresh fruits and vegetables, were found high in catechins. Mediterranean diet which is considered as one of the healthiest is found to provide about 100 mg of catechins and procyanidins per person per day. Total catechin contents of green and black tea are about 420 and 250 mg/L, respectively. About 12.5 grams of areca nut (Chali or white supari) or about 4 grams of red supari (Kempadike) can provide the equivalent amount of catechin to humans.
Catechin are found to exhibit physiological
effects, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidative, and
antitumor activities. Recent studies have suggested that catechins also promote
oral health and contribute to a reduced risk for some systemic disease.
The oral cavity of humans contains more
than hundred species of microbes. An increase in the number of these
microorganisms like high pathogenic potential species, such as cariogenic and periodontopathic
bacteria, and the change of microbial biota may result in, not only oral infection,
but also systemic diseases, such as infective endocarditis and aspiration
pneumonia. It is very important to control the growth of these microorganisms
and its biota just after oral cleaning in order to suppress disease onset. Numerous
studies have proved that catechin formulations inhibited the growth of the Actinomyces,
periodontopathic bacteria and Candida strains tested, but did not
inhibit that of the oral Streptococci that are important in the normal
oral flora. Thus, it was clear that catechins can improve the oral hygiene and deter
the onset of oral infection, and systemic diseases, such as infective
endocarditis and aspiration pneumonia.
Perhaps, the ancient Indian medical
practitioners were aware of the importance of catechin present in areca nut and
hence had prescribed chewing of Tambula (Betel quid) after every meal.
References
Tamura & Ochiai (2012) Exploring
the possible applications of catechin (gel) for oral care of the elderly and
disabled individuals, Japanese
Dental Science Review, Vol. 48, pp. 126—134
Yusuf Yilmaz (2006). Novel uses of catechins in foods. Trends
in Food Science & Technology, Vol. 17, pp. 64–71
Sari et al., (2020). Distinct phenolic,
alkaloid and antioxidant profile in betel quid from four regions of Indonesia,
Scientific Reports, Vol. 10 : 16254
Song et al., (2022). UHPLC-MS/MS
identification, quantification of flavonoid compounds from Areca catechu L.
extracts and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant and key enzyme inhibition
properties involved in hyperglycemia and hypertension. Industrial Crops &
Products. Vol. 189, pp. 115787.
