Does Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Powder Extract Contain Fluoride?
Ramya R. Iyer *
Department of Public Health Dentistry, KM Shah Dental College and Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (An Institution Deemed to be University), India.
Avinash Kumar Seth
Department of Pharmacy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth - An Institution Deemed to be University, Vadodara, India.
Ghanshyam Parmar
Department of Pharmacy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Green tea being a rich source of fluoride, may provide anti-caries benefits when incorporated in toothpaste formulation.
Aim: To estimate the concentration of fluoride in dry green tea extract.
Methods: Prior to the estimation of fluoride in the sample, the dry green tea extract powder was tested for its physical characteristics, analytical characteristics, active ingredients and contaminants. Microbial assay was done for quantifying E. Coli, yeast and Salmonella. Fluoride estimation was done by IS 3025 P 60 method.
Results: Fluoride was not detected in the dry powder extract of green tea dry extract powder.
Conclusion: Green tea powder extract incorporated in herbal toothpastes cannot be read as a natural substitute of fluoride in toothpaste.
Keywords: Fluoride, herbal dentifrice, green tea